Live plants and Lake Malawi cichlids

Gulp

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Dec 16, 2003

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Stockbridge, Georgia

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• Dec 5, 2004

• #1

Has anyone had any luck with live plants and L.M. cichlids? The LFS is telling me I would be wasting my time as they would destroy the plants. I'm just getting tired of seeing plastic plants in the aquarium..........but I don't want to waste money on something that has little hope of working. Is there a type of plant the cichlids would leave alone? Just wondering.

 

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Alex

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Feb 10, 2003

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Columbus, OH USA

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• Dec 5, 2004

• #2

FWIW, I have Java Ferns in with my Labidochromis caeruleus and Pseudotropheus lanisticola and all is well.

Alex

 

~*LuvMyKribs*~

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Nov 15, 2003

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Vancouver, Canada

www.aquaticescapes.ca

• Dec 5, 2004

• #3

Java Fern, anubias and vallisineria have been known to work really well. I have many different types of vallisineria in my tanks and they grow non-stop. The fish will occationally pick at them but they dont like the taste so much.




-Diana

 

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valerie

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Apr 18, 2001

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Edmonton, AB

• Dec 5, 2004

• #4

I think it really depends on the individual fish. I have seen many malawi tanks with live plants and they fish barely touch them. In my tank, the fish eat any plant i put in there. I have tried java ferns,annubias,vals,swords etc. and every time they are eaten down to nothing.

So it really just depends. I would suggest you either buy realyl cheap plants to test it out or see if anyone around your town is willing to give you some free clippings. That way you can see how htey will do but you wont' be out much.

 

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Catlid

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Nov 10, 2003

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Roseville, CA

• Dec 6, 2004

• #5

i have fake plants and they still pick at them lol

 

~*LuvMyKribs*~

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Nov 15, 2003

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Vancouver, Canada

www.aquaticescapes.ca

• Dec 6, 2004

• #6

Are you guys only feeding spiraluna? I feed my mbuna 90% spiraluna plus about 10% regular flake.... i've heard that if they dont have enough plant material in thier diet they will pick at plants.

But i dont know if thats true or not?

 

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valerie

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Apr 18, 2001

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Edmonton, AB

• Dec 7, 2004

• #7

I have haps and omnivorious mbuna and they still ate the plants. I feed a half spirulina half NLS diet.

But i do know that with some plant eating it is caused by diet and adding more veggies will help stop that behaviour.