New World Cichlids and Plants?
- Thread starter water_wako
- Start date
I have Oscars that will not put up with anything.If they can move it,they do.I also have a Green Terror in a lowlight planted 55g by himself.He won't put up with any other fish,(i tried putting him with the O's,he did not like them)but does not mind the plants.There is wisteria,vals,and rotala,that are planted,and java ferns in the driftwood.I think it has more to do with the particular personality of the fish,more than what species it is,IMO.I have a friend who has Oscars in a lowlight planted tank without any issues at all,go figure!Oscars are supposed to be the worst fish to keep plants with.
My Oscar seems to be selective about pulling plants. With him, I think it is more a matter of finding the right place for them. I don't mind replanting them occasionally though, because he seems to enjoy tugging at them.
I have had a Jack Dempsey in a fully planted tank with no issues. On a few occasions I have seen her tug at stuff, but nothing that was disturbing.
The Convicts I have, they took over the planted tank that the Dempsey was in, and I have some plants floating now, but I think it is just from them digging pits, and the plant happened to be where they were digging.
And my Ram, no issues what so ever with the plants. He's good to go!
I would at least give it a shot. Just mix a couple live plants in with your plastic plants and see how the fish respond to them. If it doesn't work, you are only out a couple bucks, and if all goes well you can start switching out more of your plastic plants with real plants.
I have had a Jack Dempsey in a fully planted tank with no issues. On a few occasions I have seen her tug at stuff, but nothing that was disturbing.
The Convicts I have, they took over the planted tank that the Dempsey was in, and I have some plants floating now, but I think it is just from them digging pits, and the plant happened to be where they were digging.
And my Ram, no issues what so ever with the plants. He's good to go!
I would at least give it a shot. Just mix a couple live plants in with your plastic plants and see how the fish respond to them. If it doesn't work, you are only out a couple bucks, and if all goes well you can start switching out more of your plastic plants with real plants.
Having settled in now, my ram picks at leaves and at the moss, but doesn't do any damage. (insert sigh of relief here!) I think he's just eating bits of algae and looking for morsels ON them rather than nibbling the plants themselves. He certainly doesn't uproot anything though.
