Larger CA/SA cichlids (6"+) that could maybe be considered for a basic planted tank?

[john_down_under]

Hey all,

I'm new to the forum and am currently growing out a few of the slower growing CA/SA species (mainly mid sized geos) in a 50 gal tank with the intention of transferring to a 250-300 gal minimallly planted tank with a large foam sump filter and drip water change in around 6-12 months.

What are your recommendations and experiences for semi-peaceful cichlid species that could be tried in a planted tank with tough / unappealing plants / low tech (eg anubias, java fern, hornwart, etc)? Also with the expectation that some plant tears may be shed during this experiment.

I am putting a list of suspects together, obviously the geo group is a good option and I am currently growing some out together with a firemouth.

I'd like to avoid the usual suspects such as angels and discus and I'd like to go with larger fish (6"+) with a bit more personality and I appreciate with size comes the potential to rip stuff up.

So far I've come up with possibly chocolate cichlid and nicaraguans cichlid.

If plants were not a consideration I go with a combination of severum, uaru, vieja and true parrot with the geos.

What are my semi plant friendly options that might work? I keep getting led back to angels and discus which although cool don't get me too excited.

Any experience appreciated.

Random photos attached of my grow out tank during cycling and one month later.

Cheers,

John

 

[tlindsey]

Hey all,

I'm new to the forum and am currently growing out a few of the slower growing CA/SA species (mainly mid sized geos) in a 50 gal tank with the intention of transferring to a 250-300 gal minimallly planted tank with a large foam sump filter and drip water change in around 6-12 months.

What are your recommendations and experiences for semi-peaceful cichlid species that could be tried in a planted tank with tough / unappealing plants / low tech (eg anubias, java fern, hornwart, etc)? Also with the expectation that some plant tears may be shed during this experiment.

I am putting a list of suspects together, obviously the geo group is a good option and I am currently growing some out together with a firemouth.

I'd like to avoid the usual suspects such as angels and discus and I'd like to go with larger fish (6"+) with a bit more personality and I appreciate with size comes the potential to rip stuff up.

So far I've come up with possibly chocolate cichlid and nicaraguans cichlid.

If plants were not a consideration I go with a combination of severum, uaru, vieja and true parrot with the geos.

What are my semi plant friendly options that might work? I keep getting led back to angels and discus which although cool don't get me too excited.

Any experience appreciated.

Random photos attached of my grow out tank during cycling and one month later.

Cheers,

John

View attachment 1502450

View attachment 1502451

Welcome aboard
FINWIN

 

[duanes]

Although I have not found chocolate cichlids to be consummate plant eaters, they are the ultimate bull dozers, and redecorators.
Many years ago had a pair that moved all the substrate from one end of a tank to the other, uprooting plants and even moving rocks along the way.
H. nicaruguense may work.
A couple other plant ignorers in the 7" range
Cribroheros rostratum


Plant species above, Vallisneria, Cryptocorne, and Java fern
and lately been keeping Andinoacara coerleopunctatus in a heavily planted tank.


Plant species Hydrophila, Vallisneria, and Nymphaea (Lotus)

 

[fishguy1978]

I have Java fern and anubius in my 220g tank that houses a H. temporalis pair, G. brasiliensis group, and a H. liberifer. There has been no destruction of plants yet. I have redhead tapajo in a 140g with crypts and Java fern and the tapajo have been tearing leaves off the crypts when ever they spawn.
If you attached the Java or anubius to wood or rocks the chances of success are probably better.

 

[FINWIN]

I have a large chocolate female Bobo that is gentle on plants. She might nudge them a bit but doesn't rip anything up. Acaras only seem destructive to plants in pairs...a single will shake plants but not shred. Severums can be a wild card with plants, but mine generally haven't bothered with them much either. My green sev Chip would eat/strip Pothos but my golden sev Corn doesn't bother plants at all.

Sometimes mixing real plants with silk plants works: Fish that like to wreck plants get discouraged after a while.

 

[Mazan]

I have a tank with a severum (H. liberifer), two uaru and some Mesonauta. I have Vallisneria and water lettuce in the tank growing well . They don’t touch the water lettuce and only occasionally nibble the vals. I do give them plenty of plant based food so maybe that helps. I have not tried Java ferns or Anubias in this tank but I suspect they would be OK as well. I also have Cichlasoma amazonarum, they don’t eat any plants but do dig them up when they breed, same is probably true for several cichlids. I believe pike cichlids are usually Ok with plants but maybe not with other cichlids, not sure as I haven’t kept them.

 

[Ogertron3000]

Probably Blue Acara or the electric blue variety would work but might be a bit small for what you are looking for.
Also the "bandit cichlid" group would be good too, i cant remember what their real name is.