A Planted Malawi Tank

[Luke & Penny]

Right maybe a silly question but is there anyone out there that has a malawi mbuna set up and also has some plants in there that are tough enough to survive an onslaught?.
If so what types are they, or does anyone think that plants shouldnt be in these tanks?.

thanks peeps

 

[OMFG]

I am no expert but according to nearly everyone I have encountered on this forum malawi cichlids+plants=dead, ripped to shred plants.

So, uuuum, no

 

[modernhamlet]

In general, plants and mbuna just don't mix. Depending on the particular fish and when you introduce the plants (while they're juveniles is best), you can sometimes get away with very hardy plants such as Anubias, Java Ferns (both attached to the rocks) and some Vals. Don't count on it though.

 

[keane]

OMFG and modernhamlet......I think these guys just might disagree with you.....

planted Mbuna tank

another planted Mbuna tank

Both are IMO simply amazing.

steve

 

[Krib Crazy]

I have a planted mbuna tank and they love it they are even breeding in there. When the mother spits out the fry it gives them lots of cover until I can catch them.

 

[modernhamlet]

OMFG and modernhamlet......I think these guys just might disagree with you.....

planted Mbuna tank

another planted Mbuna tank

Both are IMO simply amazing.

steve

I've seen both of those tanks in the past and think that both of the tank owners would tell you they are the exception and not the rule. Both of these are very large mbuna tanks (125g). Both owners stress that there is a lot of work that has to go into keeping thing balanced. The plants are very carefully selected to be less likely to be eaten. CO2/pH balance is a constant worry.

Of course it's possible, I'm just letting the poster know that more often than not it doesn't work out. If you're willing to put in the time and effort keeping fish and plants together that are naturally incompatible, go for it. But in my opinion, you're better off giving the mbuna what they want (rocks, sand, water to their liking, etc.) and save the plants for another tank like I did.

 

[jollysue]

I was fortunate enough to be given a frontosa recently and suddenly. The fish had never eaten anything but flakes and refused when hungry to share a goldy feeder.

Ignorant as I was I tossed her, Meyer, into my 100 usg community tetra tank concerened slightly that Dr. Jeckel might turn into Mr. Hyde overnight. Fortunately for the glolights and green neons, she didn't. But as I watched her do what for her was an explore of her new home, she sauntered over to my two foot Mother Amazon and grabbed a leaf like a pitbull and shook and pulled until the leaf gave it up and disapeared into Meyer's mouth. She then swam toward me, chewing, and looked me right in the eye and spit it out at my feet (metephorically speaking.) Next morning all the bottom rung of the Mother's leaves were bit off.

Now I know that this is not the same fish you were speaking off, still, I got her out of that tank right away. I have found some sea shells, sand substrate, 1" or less gravel, and a large terra cotta pot. Maybe a baked painted Mexican strawberry pot too. Now she is hiding behind cloth artificial plants, plastic Amazons and sand. After all, as we used to say, "It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature."

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

My Malawi tank has plants. Some they leave alone and others the catfish rip apart with gusto. It does take working at. I'm fortunate enough to have alot of tanks, some of which grow alot of plants, so when I need to I can just replace those that have been ripped apart with fresh batches. I also have a sand substrate and plenty of rock caves etc for them to hide in. I have yet to find the cichlids ripping the plants apart but the synos sure do! But I knew that before I set up the tanks as I already had a great deal of synos by then anyway.

That was taken some 2 months ago before the cichlids went in to join the synos. More rocks have been added since then.
Hugs,
P.

 

[Animation]

Nice tank you got there mate, i personally don't collect single species cichlids but from what i have hear they are violent with the plants, try to stick with small potted plants maybe covering them with a log so it is hard for the fish to get to so it aironates the water, unless of course you are going for looks..
I have one of my tanks with all plastic plants look pretty effective ill get a pic on when i get my cam sorted

 

[fishing4exotics]

I was really into Tanganyikan cichlids. Not Malawan. I managed to keep anubias and jave fern in my Tanganyikan tank. Some of the inhabitants were algae eaters like Tropheus and Petrichromis. The thick leaves of anubias plants seem to deter them from eating it. And I don't think my cichids enjoyed the java fern. Both kinds of plants can tolerate the high pH and mineral contents. I think you would have to try plants for yourself and see how things work out for you and your fish.