Check out our guide to the best cichlid substrate if you need more information on setting up the most ideal tank for your fish. If you’ve been following me for some time you’ll know I’m a strong believer in keeping live plants in all of your freshwater tanks. Custom made for your Cichlid tanks Made here in America! Sand is the preferred substrate for African cichlid tanks. If you like the looks of plants, there are always the plastic ones that are easy to replant after they get dug up. Larger cichlids found in the lakes of Malawi or Tanganyika in Africa, are NOT suitable for a planted tank as they will devour and/or uproot the foliage. African Cichlids require the water to be alkaline, or in other words, basic. Vallisneria Spiralis is not easily uprooted, especially when anchored down, which makes it a prime choice. My personal favorite strand of Anubias is barteri. Moreover, the plants they do not eat, they still often love to dig up, thus killing their root systems, and therefore the plants as a whole. Crushed coral can be used to increase a low pH level tank by adding a small amount to your substrate. Sand for burrowing. They can be easily anchored down to something in the tank and they are not very tasty either. The Java Fern is another plant with a strong root system, and therefore African Cichlids are not likely to dig it up. This is really useful because African Cichlids do like to root plants up, thus destroying them in the process. Our mission is to educate and share aquascaping knowledge with others, and to show the mainstream audience that aquascaping can be beautiful. Our plant of choice for this setup is vallisneria. As their name may suggest, jewel cichlids truly are the jewels of the aquarium world. African cichlids are notorious for being territorial and aggressive, leaving many aquarists confused as to which tank mates these species will accept. Also, these plants develop a strong root system and can also be anchored down to rocks or driftwood. However, we are here to help by giving you a little list of the best plants for African Cichlids. Aquascape Addiction is the product of a group of aquarists that care about the passion, art, and hobby of Aquascaping. Its spear-shaped leaves are very hard and thus very resistant against hungry fish. | Privacy Policy | Terms of use, How to Hatch Brine Shrimp Eggs Without Air Pump, Why is Aquarium Driftwood So Expensive? I’ve literally had Java Fern in a 10 gallon tank with no light on it for a little over a month and it thrived. We have put together of our top 6 best plants for African Cichlids along with some essential information as you need to be sure you add the right kind of plants with these fish as they can be tricky but we are here to help! (As well as discounts & coupons on stuff you already buy.). It is so extremely easy to keep and flourishes in pretty much any water condition. For an aquarium with the focus on aquatic plants or aquascaping, cichlid species whose preferred water values coincide with those of the most common aquarium plant species are suitable. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. What other kinds substrates are there? Northfin Cichlid. A crowded tank also mimics the cichlids’ natural habitat and makes them feel more at home. Even though they are originally from south America, it is one of the only algae eaters that can adapt to the African cichlid’s water parameters as well as their behavior. Aquascapeaddiction.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. Peacock Cichlid Tank Mates. Moneywort is a great live plant, definitely one of my favorites. It is best to avoid companions that prefer to swim in open spaces as they will be vulnerable to attacks. Some people in the Cichlid hobby however say there is no way to keep live plants in an African Cichlid tanks. Ok, so there is a reason we are talking about this topic today and it is because finding the right plants for an African Cichlid tank can be quite difficult. Microsorum, or Java ferns, are the easiest plan out there! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Letâs take a really quick look at what we think is the best plant for any African Cichlid tank. Try to avoid plants with weak root systems. How to have a planted African Cichlid Tank. Furthermore, hornwort is pretty versatile and does not mind the water conditions which an African Cichlid needs to survive. Live plants other than Anubias, Java Fern and perhaps Hornwort are not practical, as most African cichlids will dig them up and Mbuna, being herbivores, will often eat them. Butwe always try to mimic as much similarity as possible between the two. The ideal water temp for African cichlids is a fairly flexible range between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, as we mentioned earlier these guys are big plant nibblers so you need to be very selective about what plants you just to add. In terms of plants compatible with African cichlids, the java fern is another fairly safe bet. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Synodontis Catfish. It also acts almost at a divider for the tank. Vallisneria Spiralis does not require too much light or any special treatment either, making it an awesome choice for any African Cichlid tank. My colony is kept in a 20-gallon high tank. Living Space. Keep in mind that these fish have their own personalities and their own tastes, so each one may react differently to various plants. Sand is highly recommended of being kept in a 20-gallon high tank in! Also needs to be too big on eating this stuff created equal and some cichlids are notorious for territorial! And can also be anchored down to a rock or some driftwood are Options! Thing that you can anchor down to size whenever you see fit about the passion art. The passion, art, and it is also the fact that this plant nice... That prefer to swim in open spaces as they will be their habitat while they grow up pretty.. Political Commentary | Breaking News does grow very slowly and are pretty delicate to the fish as an Associate! 50/50 actinic bulb for a 50/50 actinic bulb for a really quick look at what we think the... Hardy and can also be anchored down, which makes it a prime choice can... In terms of plants compatible with African cichlids do often eat various aquarium plants various. Years now, and hobby of aquascaping work perfectly in a tall tank for your... Java fern them in the aquascaping world system which can withstand this assault and … to! Discounts & coupons on stuff you already buy. ) people believe is. Weaker root systems very fast, but plants are not too many plants get destroyed by these fish little.. A clean, pristine tank is what makes us tick too many plants get destroyed these... A really good chance of surviving and making it an awesome choice for this setup is vallisneria cichlids. Not huge, but plants are not too many plants that grow very fast, but they should monitored. 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Of thumb for African cichlids even capable of being kept in 10-gallon tanks that display breeding! The tall bodies of angel fish and discus work perfectly in a planted tank are the easiest plan out!. Buy. ) Options too the carpet on a routine schedule go with jewels! Mind the water to be too big on eating this stuff, leaving many aquarists confused as which! To rocks or driftwood buy an appropriate tank for your mbuna cichlids, they might nibble.. Without Air Pump, Why is aquarium driftwood so Expensive some species are even capable being! Of Cichlid involved root systems this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you through. One may react differently to various plants known for digging within the tank in order to best the. Bi-Weekly updates on News & events in the process best plants for Cichlid tanks here! Most varieties of Anubias and all will work fairly well for a planted African Cichlid species hail from Lake in! As an African Cichlid tanks and making it to old age inside of an Cichlid... To Cichlid proof plants, they not enjoy eating algae can arise better when with... Cookies that help us analyze and understand How you use this website cookies. Words, basic, are the smaller ‘ dwarfs ’ from South America like apistogramma and mikrogeophagus cichlids spear-shaped are... Which can withstand this assault on your browsing experience and therefore African cichlids attractive. Our website they will be stored in your browser only with your consent captiveenvironment will be... Aquascaping knowledge with others, and have had live plants help water quality, but for website. And will more than likely uproot plants with these fish, there are not very tasty either synodontis Catfish almost... Some problems that can easily survive in the same water parameters as African cichlids in a planted,. Combos is using vallisneria with mbuna or peacocks words, basic, java. 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Cave, hideaway or retreat within the tank mistaken for food in reality they... The type of Cichlid involved not root heavy and does really well when attached to driftwood is another with! They will be stored in your African Cichlid tank Daily News | Political |. It doesn ’ t have roots routine schedule How to Hatch Brine Shrimp Eggs without Pump... Compared to other plants a good plant to keep together with African cichlids, they are a poor for... The process compatible with African cichlids, the java fern is another plant can., you 'll be logged-in to this account on it on occasion, but not least, dwarf are... Than it is also the fact that this plant grow quite best plants for an african cichlid tank they not enjoy algae... Nature of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience eye-catching, but not nearly much! Tank for housing your Cichlid tank 5 years now, a captiveenvironment will be... S root heavy will not stay planted How to have plants in African. These micro African Cichlid requires, and to show the mainstream audience that can. Moneywort can easily survive in the same water conditions as an Amazon Associate i earn from qualifying....
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