Mbuna, Tropheus and plants

[Mar Mac]

Ive recently added some plants to my tank to go along with the swords i already have in there...I noticed that my Tropheus have been dining on them quite aggressively. I don't mind, as it is in their nature and the plants in my tank seem to be propagating quite well under my lighting...I guess my question is are the plants pictured here of any danger to my Tropheus or my Mbuna?? Probably a question better asked before i added them to my tank....I'm really not sure i have the names right(plant's are not my thing) but i think i have swords, anacaris?, cambomba? and a few others...Any suggestions on propoer planting, and plant types would be greatly appreciated...... Also should i be watching my water for any problems with it given the new additions of plants

150 gallon tank with Mbuna Tropheus mix.....

 

[rED O]

Africans will turn any live plant into a salad.

 

[Otherone]

For us in PA Cambomba and Anacharis aren't illegal, they are in warm states due to thier overaggressive growth rate and invassive breeding. In 150 gal - thats room for a few years but will become quite messy as they drop lower leaves. Eventually they spread massively from my experiences. When you buy these they are "top" clippings and need to establish a root system other than the stringy secondary sucker system seen coming of the branches. By itself it can take a long time - adding rooting hormones will help speed this up. However the cichlids will probably pick at the plants pulling them out long before a healthy root stock is developed.

Swords will generally loose all the leaves that are present at purchase - smaller new leaves will form and a year later the plant might be the same size as when you bought it. However African cichlids will probably eat the new leaves long before it establishes.

In general most cichlids of any variety aren't very compatible with planted tanks for numerous reasons. They mostly not all dig constantly uprooting plants and sending millions of partical substrate into the filter system and impellers. Salvini's are one such species of cichlid that do not dig but they do uproot. Angels, Discus, & Rams are compatable cichlids with lightly planted tanks. For dense foliage, communites of tetras, barbs, swordtails, mollies , platties, sharks, etc.. Characins also work well for lightly planted tanks.

This is by NO means Gospel - in a planted enviorment anything is possible. This has just stricly been my personal experience and I hope it helps you achieve your goals.

 

[gomezladdams]

I think the fish would be fine eating those plants.They are very common and Ive never heard a warning about them.My trophs are coexisting with Valisinaria.They chew on them a bit but havent killed them.

 

[Muske]

Cambomba can be a mess since it is soft and easily shreaded.

Swords should be OK, but probalbly never flourish since they will also get picked at.

Anacharis, elodea, is another softy that can become a mess.

I have used these plants for my fish also. They like there greens.....