What fish NOT to have in a Planted Tank?

[GeckoGeek]

Are there any fish that can be really destructive to a planted tank? I was thinking that Plecos could be a problem because of the sizes they can attain. What about loaches? Thanks

 

[semper fi]

cichlids can wreak havoc on a planted tank. they are notorious for digging. so besides unplanting the plants they will eat them. they have a tendency to not eat the heartier plants with the tougher leaves. think they are at an all you can eat salad bar. i keep plants in my tanks just for them to eat since i can never get anything to grow in or out of the tank. they do not like the worts from my experience.

maggie

 

[Danny - the lost soul---]

Some South American cichlids don't eat them but still may have a tendancy to dig around them or dig them up trying to make a home around them. Apistos , Rams, A few West African species also bvut same thing. There are alot of tougher plants that tolerate the nibbles from fishie teeth better than others.

Anubias are great for cichlids and even though most have no or little luck with Africans and plants, I keep many delecate plants in some African tanks and they are thriving and very rarely are the plants nubbed. Now again this all depends on the fish and plants themselfs.
Danny

 

[GeckoGeek]

How about a Pleco? I want to convert my tank over to a completely planted aquarium and keep the fish I have now. It is a 65g long...would a 10 1/2" pleco wreck havoc because of the sheer size? Thanks for any input!

 

[StiX]

Yes big pleco's have a tendency to 'mow down' plants as they swim about

 

[gadazobe]

I have a 6-7" pleco in a planted tank - most of the plants have no leaves at substrate level - they've been mowed down and fallen off

 

[Rose]

I would recommend staying away from fish that are herbavors. All you'll be doing is giving them an expencive garden salad. Cichlids, Silver dollars, plecos (bristle nose's are ok in planted tanks), those are some that come to mind immediatly. there are others out there too. Rose