Planted American Cichlid Aquarium?
- Thread starter Anthony Williams
- Start date
I love plants, but find I have to be very careful what cichlids I put them with. And with certain cichlids, they only work in a sump/refugium situation.
Most of the cichlids you mention are very territorial, so they would rip the plants up on your list in order to establish clear sight lines for their own protection.
And Mad lace plant must be very tasty, I attempted one with similar cichlids years ago, it only lasted a few moments.
Java fern, anubus, and java moss are possibilities, but they'd need to become established, ie heavily rooted in wood or porous rock before you add those fish, could perhaps take months.
Floating plants may be your best best with the cichlids you want, like water sprite or cabomba
but you must be careful with filter intakes and overflows, I've had tanks overflow from overflows being plugged with torn up plant debris.
As stated above, pikes seem very easy on plants though.
Most of the cichlids you mention are very territorial, so they would rip the plants up on your list in order to establish clear sight lines for their own protection.
And Mad lace plant must be very tasty, I attempted one with similar cichlids years ago, it only lasted a few moments.
Java fern, anubus, and java moss are possibilities, but they'd need to become established, ie heavily rooted in wood or porous rock before you add those fish, could perhaps take months.
Floating plants may be your best best with the cichlids you want, like water sprite or cabomba
but you must be careful with filter intakes and overflows, I've had tanks overflow from overflows being plugged with torn up plant debris.
As stated above, pikes seem very easy on plants though.
Some potted anubias barteri species might be okay if you can find some at a decent size and thick leaves/roots/stems...
Keep in mind that most robust cichlids will tear apart plants in their territory to eliminate amish spots...
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
I have had cichlids in the past and they like to " redecorate " there housing. My red devil refused to have anything in her tank plantwise and she would just rearrange the sand to her liking then all the plants floated. I would just try and wedge them under a rock if you can find a larger piece. Good luck 
I bought a couple Amazon Swords last month to stick in my 180g because I wanted a little more realism and nitrate removal. I planted them in a pot and placed the pot into my tank, closed my glass lid, and walked back to my chair and sat down. I looked over at my tank and they had already shredded it into about 10 pieces and were floating on the surface being snapped at. I'm not even kidding. 30 seconds. I'm growing them in a glass jar by a window now. I have no idea what I'm going to do with them lol
Monkey grass lasts a few weeks. Best solution of cheap and lasts a bit
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
I keep amazon swords in with my CAs and they do just fine. It really just depends on the fish. I've been successful with water sprite(rooted and floating). My inhabitants include
Lyonsi
Pasiones
nourissatti
cutteri
micropthalmus
wesseli
panamensis
Lyonsi
Pasiones
nourissatti
cutteri
micropthalmus
wesseli
panamensis
I tried this with similar stock. There are no plants any more but good luck looked good for a week or so.
Sent from my SCH-I405 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Sent from my SCH-I405 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
