CichlidDan
Members
Any ideas for plants for a malawi tank I’ve tried different anubias, java ferns and vals and they’ve eaten all of them, are there tougher low light plants that I could try? My light is a current USA satellite plus.
Plant ideas for malawi tank
- Thread starter CichlidDan
- Start date
jonclark96
Past CCA President
I am no plant expert, but most places that I've seen recommend anubias and java fern as good, low light plants. If the fish eat those, I'm not sure you'll be successful with much of anything else.
Becca
Members
Those are about the toughest you're going to get. I'd imagine that if you planted A LOT of plants, with a wide variety, and let plenty of algae, etc. grow on your rocks, they might find certain types of plant to be preferable to others. You could try things that are very fast growing and basically weeds - guppy grass, star grass, valisneria, hornwort, duck weed, etc.- and see if they'll graze those over the tougher, less-tasty plants.
I'd definitely recommend duck weed for them. Veggie-eating fish loooooove it and it's perfectly bite sized. If you can keep a constant supply of it for them you might be able to minimize the eating of less tasty things.
What size is the tank?
I'd definitely recommend duck weed for them. Veggie-eating fish loooooove it and it's perfectly bite sized. If you can keep a constant supply of it for them you might be able to minimize the eating of less tasty things.
What size is the tank?
CichlidDan
Members
Thanks for the suggestions. It’s a 65 gallon tall.
I remember once asking about the best plants for my mbuna tank - the answer is - plastic.
Becca
Members
So, in a tank that tall, the Satellite Plus isn't going to get you beyond low-light, which is something to keep in mind. With a tank full of fish that dig and eat plants, you're going to have a lot of trouble finding something that will survive and with lower light, plants aren't going to grow as quickly, either (many will survive on low light, but they won't survive being continuously grazed).
CichlidDan
Members
I may rehome the mbuna and try those plants just with my peacocks/haps.
Becca
Members
If you want duckweed, EVER... I have all the duckweed a fish can eat (and none of mine eat it 
)
)
FishEggs
Well-Known Member
I've actually had luck with some type of crypt (wendtii maybe?). Ive had a colony of cynotilapia hara with some yellow labs and dragons bloods and placidochromis and a few other random species. Ive never seen them bother it except to hide in it once in a while.
It's been there for years in crushed coral/aragonite substrate over topsoil.
It's been there for years in crushed coral/aragonite substrate over topsoil.
CichlidDan
Members
Thanks for the suggestion I’ll probably try some crypts then.
Becca
Members
My headstanders didn't destroy crypts, either, now that I think of it.
CichlidDan
Members
Do you think the crypts will be ok with my current USA in my tall 65?
FishEggs
Well-Known Member
I've had crypts growing under 24watts of t12 light in a 75 gallon before. They will be ok. Just be slow to grow.
CichlidAddict
Members
Are you sure they got eaten or just melted away due to unfavorable growing conditions. One satellite plus doesn't appear to have enough light for even low light plants, as their growth rate is stunt and won't be able to replace abuse by cichlid.
I have a cichlid planted tank full of Anubias, Java Fern, and Buce with a few Crypts and Ludwigian. Anubias and Java Fern are known to be cichlid proof because they can be attached to rock and driftwood, and no fish like the taste of Java Fern.
Becca
Members
Maybe? They grow in my 55 under a marine land double bright
CichlidDan
Members
Maybe the java fern melted I didn’t actually see them eat the ferns but did see them eat the anubias and val.
Nice tank by the way!
CichlidDan
Members
Ok I’ll give it a shot. Pretty busy the next couple weeks but I’ll let you know when I’ll get a chance to pickup some plants when both our schedules work.
CSnyder00
Bearded Wonder
I have plant eaters and they eat everything I put in the tank. Anubias survive and grow decently, but they nibble the ends off of them from time to time and they don’t look nearly as good. For some reason, they prefer to eat the nana over the more narrow leaf varieties.
