Plants With African Cichlids?

[brichamp]

I was wondering if anyone has had success keeping live plants with african cichlids? If so, what kind of substrate is recommended? I have seen a lot of tanks on the internet with white (or very light tan) sand and live plants with africans. I would like to do this with my tank but I'm not sure what to use. I have some dry aragonite from Caribsea from a previous tank that I was thinking of mixing with the Caribsea crystal river instant aquarium (about half and half). Would this work? Any input would be very appreciated. Thanks!

 

[doresy]

I have a bit of Java Fern in my Tanganyikan set up

 

[brichamp]

I have a bit of Java Fern in my Tanganyikan set up

Thanks for the quick reply, Doresy. What type of substrate do you have in your tank? How long have you had the plants and cichlids together? What type and how much lighting do you have?

 

[dthoffsett]

Fatheadminnow wrote a very nice topic on plants that should survive with cichlids you might find of interest.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/307547-plants-that-will-survive-in-a-cichlid-aquarium/

 

[j.jarman]

Be careful you wash the plants well in bleach or something first, or you may end up with a snail outbreak and blackspot on your fish (like i've got now!!)...stupid java moss!

 

[doresy]

As I mentioned I just have a couple of pieces of Java Fern attached to some rocks which came from my established and completely snail free communnity tank that I changed over to the Taganyikan set up.

My substrate is crushed coral-gravel.

 

[HappyGeorge]

Just seen this post and thought i would stick on a link to my previous post.

Plants in Malawi Tank

Just to add to this I have since removed the Java fern because I didn't like the look of it.
I also removed one of the CRYPTOCORYNE WENDTII because it was slowly ripped apart, but not sure who was responsible. Strangely the one about 14" away is absolutely fine?

 

[demasonisrule]

I have tried many plants in my malawi tank, and all of them were gone by the next morning. If you try this, I suggest an anubias, because many fish don't like the taste of it. I also suggest reading the link that dthoffset posted, it is a good read, that failed for me, but may work for you. It really depends on the individual personality of your fish. Every single one of my cichlids has its own personality!

 

[brichamp]

I have tried many plants in my malawi tank, and all of them were gone by the next morning. If you try this, I suggest an anubias, because many fish don't like the taste of it. I also suggest reading the link that dthoffset posted, it is a good read, that failed for me, but may work for you. It really depends on the individual personality of your fish. Every single one of my cichlids has its own personality!

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I'm thinking about switching my tank to all Tanganyikans. As I understand it, some of them (not Tropheus) are less likely to munch on them.