anyone keeping plants with cichlids?

[dervin]

I've got a 55-gallon tank with African cichlids and tried adding some Java fern, but they keep tearing it up. Anyone else have luck with plants in a cichlid tank?

[dustybrook]

Yep, cichlids can be rough on plants. I've had better luck with Anubias tied to driftwood. They're tough and the cichlids don't mess with 'em as much.

[submash]

What's your water hardness like? African cichlids need harder water, and some plants don't thrive in those conditions. Anubias and Java fern are good starts, but you might need to adjust your setup.

[bluemist1]

I've got a mix of Anubias and Vallisneria in my cichlid tank. The Vallisneria grows like crazy, even with the fish nibbling on it. Just gotta make sure the roots are buried deep.

[bajil]

My cichlids destroyed everything I put in there until I tried floating plants like Frogbit. They don't bother those as much, and it gives the tank a cool look.

[Goldie]

Yep, cichlids can be rough on plants. I've had better luck with Anubias tied to driftwood. They're tough and the cichlids don't mess with 'em as much.

Anubias is a solid choice. I've also had success with Bolbitis, but it's a bit pricier.

[Dancer]

If you're serious about keeping plants with cichlids, you'll need to consider their natural habitat. Most cichlids come from rocky or sandy environments with sparse vegetation. Replicating that might help. Try hardy plants like Java fern or Anubias, and secure them well.

[wolfsong]

I've seen some folks use plastic plants with cichlids. Not my thing, but if you're just going for aesthetics, it's an option. Real plants are always better for water quality, though.

[greedia]

My cichlids are chill with plants as long as I feed them enough. Maybe they're just too lazy to bother with the plants if they're well-fed. Just a thought!

[chillx]

Yo, I've got a 75-gallon with cichlids and a bunch of Amazon swords. They're holding up pretty well, but I did have to trim the leaves a bit. The fish seem to like the shade they provide.