I have a very large common Goldie and a 5-6" shubunkin or koi (I don't remember which--it has whiskers by its mouth) They are in a 60 usg on the patio. I would like a plant that would keep in that tank. It does not have potting substrate, just a Kordon artificial black stuff. I would like something they could munch on and that will not go up the filter. There are 2 hang ons--an Emperor 300 and a 260 (?) Aqua Clear (the big one.)

What would be a good plant?

This post has been edited by jollysue: May 18 2008, 02:44 PM

elodea densa or elodea crispa?

vallisneria gigantea or spiralis.
anubias.

There is no light on the tank. Just indirect outdoor light.

I will check out the suggestions.

I might try anubias nana as I have some. Will it grow rapidly enough for a foot long goldie and friend? Something that will attach might be good actually. I will not be able to plant it in substrate as they will dig it up.

Echinoderous species would probably do fine too. Bigger and broader leafed the better with goldies. Also might need to consider putting large pebbles around the base of the plants to stop the goldies digging them up.

I think with a 1 ft. fat Common Goldie in a 60 usg tank, expecting to keep something rooted is unrealistic. The substrate is Kordon Wonder Rock like (black with colored pieces--I got it for an early tank--still have an unopened bag. LOL) The Common shoves anything around that it wants to shove and that is everything except the hang on filters. I really don't want to take up any of the fishies' tank room with rocks large enough to secure plants. But I might consider a larghe driftwood with something tied to it. But would something that floats work better?

Floating plants always seem to indicate buffet table to my fancy goldie, and he's not that big (5" or so)

I think your best bet is some anubias and java fern tied to bog wood. If you want something instant Tropica sell huge mother plants tied to wood but they cost a lot. Great quality though

I would avoid mosses. My goldie ripped most of mine up and what he didn't eat ended up clogging the filter inlet regulalry.

Thanks DevUK.

I am in the USA, so not ordering from Tropica soon.

I just ordered some plant pots and a bag of pond gravel for them. My Goldie will pic them up and carry them around I think

I think I saw someone recommend anacharis. I have that. And it said the Goldies don't care much for eating it. I might start with that. None of my anubias nana is big enough yet, but that can be something for the future. I have just broken 2 plants into 4 but they are just the size of a baseball.

I am shamed to say that I have not yet looked up the plants that were recommended.

ICEEGRL is sending me some plants soon. She will not let me even pay for the shipping.

I got the Goldie hogwort once. That was a mess too!

This post has been edited by jollysue: May 26 2008, 01:37 PM

I don't have the big val, but I have some crinums that should work. You can try some of the rotala and see how it does. The egeria I sent you last time shoud do well in there. I will see what else I can come up with...

Now I just have to figure out what you guys are talking about

This post has been edited by jollysue: May 27 2008, 06:45 AM

LOL!

Crinum thaianum, also known as Onion Plant (because it really lools quite like an onion plant) might be a good way to go, if you can get it established! They produce a lot of roots which really anchor it down, as you can see in this picture.

It has broad, long leaves that can grow really long if you let them!

This post has been edited by DevUK: May 27 2008, 08:30 AM

mine, however, has shrank about 1" in 5 months

Now see! Onion plant I understand. hehe I had some of that once. I think it disappeared during a treatment for the Great Columnaris Plague of '05

That is the one I was talking about.
I have them in 2 different tanks. They are all growing quite well so far.
I think I have some ferns that could work also... I just have to see how many I have.

OK!

Once I have enough of the red topped tall plant, I will try that too. But for now that is trying to grow enough to fill the other tanks that are demanding it, and I have two tanks waiting to be set up and they will want plants too.

Everyone gets moss and drift wood with at least a sprig of Java sword, and most manage to get green hair algae. Some get to keep it, because the fry love it!

Never enough plants. The tanks grow faster than the plants!

My white clouds decided to munch on the anacharis and whatever the other is. I took some chewed up stems and potted them with some hair algae. Ths morning the hair algae is floating and there is no sign of the anacharis.

Have you found anything that will work yet, or did you give up?