Plants for Goldfish Tank

[dhanks]

Re: 90gal tank to be filled with Goldfish.
(BTW, right now I'm considering 2 Bristol Shubunkins, 3 Double Tail Common Fantail, 1 Ryukin, and possible 1 Wakin or Jikin.)

I have always had silk plants in my tank until the cichilids destroyed them. If I put live plants in, I will want to have a variety of both plants that the goldfish will munch on and plants that they will not munch on. In other words, I want some for decoration and some for eating.

Seems like I read in another posting that Anubias are the ones that the Goldfish will Not eat?? Or am I confused. Anyway, looking for suggestions for decor live plants and edible live plants.

Also, if I use white play sand as the substrate, can I use little containers to bury the plants in so they don't grow out of control?

 

[kyryah]

I have anubias, swords, bolbitus fern, crypts and lilies as my focal plants. My "edibles" are anacharis and pennywort.

My 80 gallon

Since swords especially need a little more nutrition at the roots, I use plastic shoebox containers (i.e. Rubbermaid, Sterilite) filled them 3/4 of the way with plain topsoil, and covered them in sand. You should not have any problem with these types of plants growing out of control, especially if you are planning a low tech set up at under 2 WPG without CO2 and ferts. Root tabs for the swords can be very beneficial.

Kristina

(P.S. - If you are in the States and find a source for the Bristol Shubs, please let me know, lol.)

 

[dhanks]

Thanks Kristina,

I watched your 2min clip. Your tank is awesome! I am envisioning something similar, which should be taken as flattery at its best!

D

 

[kyryah]

Thank you very much I am in the process of planning a second tank to house my demekins (I have two black moors and a blue, calico, and panda.) I am very interested to see what you come up with

Kristina

 

[dixienut]

i'm thinking your list is too many,..
shubs need minimum of 25g and 15g @ for the rest

and where did you find bristols, unless your not in usa,..

i also am trying to set up my 90 for my shubs

i'm putting java ferns, anubis, java moss and driftwood, and anacharis, duckweed, frog bit,..

 

[corrieberry]

I have anubia and java fern for show, anarchis for food. Duckweed goes in when I have too much in my other tanks, but it never lasts long (though it gives them swimbladder issues).

 

[Lupin]

Crypts are okay in my experience. Even my 7" oranda seems to feign blindness on my crypt plants. Anacharis, of course make nice goldfish treats. Get a large tub and grow the anacharis there. Keep cutting them off for goldfish food.

 

[geekboy]

I'm about to try out a planted aquarium myself, and have no doubt made some dubious choices for a goldfish tank. The following are on order, to ship shortly. Mainly I was trying to make choices that could survive my hard water, and looked appealing to me, but more likely I've made a menu for tastey goldfish salad.

Sword, Red Melon (Echinodorus Barthii v. "red melon")

Anubias barteri v angustifolia

Vals, Corkscrew (Vallisneria americana) (10 plants)

Moss Balls (4)(1.5" -2" diameter)

Wendtii, Red (Cryptocoryne wendtii)

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Florida Sunset'

Baby Tears (Hemianthus micranthemoides)

Bacopa (Bacopa carolina)

FROGBIT (Limnobium spongia)

I've already changed out my substate for an eco-complete/gravel mix. I've got the makings for DIY CO2. You might see the outcome in an upcoming thread, whether good or bad.

 

[Lupin]

The frogbits, bacopa and moss ball may be eaten but the crypts, vals, anubias and melon swords will be fine. I haven't tried hemianthus so I am not sure on that one.

 

[geekboy]

Thanks Lupin. I'm glad even a few might be relatively safe. I've actually got a couple of water lettuce already, and the fish nibble but mostly leave it be. My small golden dojos like to find precarious ways to hang from the roots.

My alterior motive for all of this is that I hope a mess of plants will help to soak up some nitrates, which have been an ongoing problem for me.