cichlids with plants?

[mtdewlover]

I just got my 55 tank and will be setting it up to cycle saturday. I have untill then to decide to make it a planted tank or not. I already have 5 african cichlids in my 29 that will be moving to my 55. Question is.....can I have african cichlids and plants together? Is it possible, impossible, good idea, bad idea?

Thank for the help

 

[mogurnda]

Java fern and anubias do well with my N. cylindricus. The ones on the rocks are great, and the ones on the gravel just need to be unburied occasionally. I started adding buffer to keep the hardness up for the fish, and the java fern seemed to start growing faster. Seems like a nice match.

 

[SnakeIce]

there are some plants native to hard water that will actually do better than soft water plants in those conditions
I have a picture of Vallisneria spiralis var denseserrulata growing in Lake Malawi

 

[valerie]

I have java ferns in my african tank. Anubias are also a good plants that the Mbuna aren't likely to eat. I have also heard of vals being used or fast growing plants that grow faster then the fish eat them.

If will also depend on what fish you have in that tank.Some are more likely to eat plants then others.

 

[itssg]

i am hving 25 pieces of Malawi cichlids in my 100gallon tank. And keeping few Microsorium Pteropus inside the tank. Beside the plants...I will feeding my cichlids with some small size of floating lotus. They seem like to eat...and all healthy.

Check out the pic of the lotus which i feeding my cichlids.

 

[jimbo]

Instead of planting them in the gravel, it is best for anubias and java fern to tie them up (the roots) with a piece of yarn on a rock. Lava rock seems to be the best material to do the job.

Jimmy

 

[PumaWard]

I only have a J. transcriptus, but he (or she) loves going in and out of my plants. I think all fish like having plants (at least that has been my experience) and the green gives a nice contrast in a rift tank.