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Plants in a Cichlid tank should be anchored - either in pots or attached to wood/rocks. Different Cichlid species treat plants differently; some don't mind, while others will.

A list of plants with the best chance of surviving in a Cichlid Aquarium is provided below.

Low Lighting:

- Any Anubias species (Anubias barteri var. barteri, Anubias barteri var. angustifolia, etc.). Anubias is perfect for a Cichlid tank and grows well on driftwood.
Difficulty: Very Easy
Lighting: Low
Placement: Not Specific
Best on driftwood
Very popular

- Cryptocoryne wendtii
Difficulty: Very Easy
Lighting: Low
Placement: Foreground

- Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)
Difficulty: Very Easy
Lighting: Low
Placement: Not Specific
Very popular

- Java Fern (Microsorium pteropus)
Difficulty: Easy
Lighting: Low
Placement: Not Specific
Very popular

Medium Low Lighting:

- Crinum natans
Difficulty: Moderate
Lighting: Medium Low
Placement: Backdrop
Popular

Medium Lighting:

- Vallisneria gigantea
Difficulty: Moderate
Lighting: Medium
Placement: Backdrop
Popular

- Zorchzon Broadleaf Sword (Echinodorus amazonicus, Echinodorus bleheri)
Difficulty: Moderate
Lighting: Medium
Placement: Backdrop
Very popular

- Gkento4t Bacopa (Bacopa carolinkento4a)
Difficulty: Moderate
Lighting: Medium
Placement: Backdrop

Medium High Lighting:

- Melon Sword (Ech. Osiris)
Difficulty: Moderate
Lighting: Medium High
Placement: Backdrop
Popular

- Kleiner Bar Sword
Difficulty: Moderate
Lighting: Medium High
Placement: Backdrop
Popular

- Nomaphila stricta
Difficulty: Moderate
Lighting: Medium High
Placement: Backdrop

- Green Ozelot Sword (Ech. Ozelot)
Difficulty: Moderate
Lighting: Medium High
Placement: Backdrop
Popular

High Lighting:

- Riccia fluitans
Difficulty: Moderate
Lighting: High
Placement: Floating or strapped down
Water conditions:
Temperature: 59-86° F (15-30° C)
pH: 6.8-8.0
Popular

I've put together a list of plants that can thrive in a cichlid tank, after having some trouble finding suitable options myself. I've come across several people suggesting a pinned topic on this subject, so I figured I'd do some research and share my findings.

I'd love to hear your thoughts - do you think this is something we need? I'm pretty happy with the list, but I'm always open to feedback. Are there any plants you think I should add or remove? Let me know what you think, and thanks in advance for your input.

I've tried to include a variety of options, taking into account different lighting requirements and tank placements. I've also considered the fact that different cichlid species can have varying levels of tolerance for plants.

Let me know if you think this is a useful resource, and if there's anything I can do to improve it.

I think this thread is really useful, great job on putting it together. I'm assuming you're mainly talking about plants that can handle mbuna, and from what I've heard, java moss doesn't do very well with them. Apart from that, your list seems to match up with what I've read elsewhere.

Thanks for the response, town_ace.

I really appreciate the feedback, and I'm glad you think the thread is a good idea.

I did try to cover a wide range of cichlids, not just mbuna, so hopefully the list will be helpful to people with different species.

I've heard mixed reviews about Java Moss too, but I figured it was worth including since some people have had success with it.

Thanks again for your thoughts, and I'm looking forward to hearing from others.

-FHM

I'm on board with this list. A few of these plants seem kinda delicate, but I guess that's part of the challenge, right?

I agree with creekdwlr, some of those plants, like Riccia and the Green Ozelot Sword, seem a bit delicate for a cichlid tank.

I'm gonna do a little more research on those plants. Thanks for letting me know.

I just looked around again and from what I've found, those plants should be okay in a cichlid tank. But if anyone's had experience with them, please let me know.

I figured it would've been a great idea for a pinned topic, ya know, since so many people were asking for it. But I'm glad I could at least make a list that you guys could help me improve. Thanks for all the feedback!

I like this thread, it's really helpful for me since I just got some cichlids and was wondering what kind of plants would do well in the tank. I was thinking the same thing, it would be great if we had a list of plants that can survive with cichlids. Only thing I would suggest is maybe adding a few more plants that are suitable for a cichlid tank, if there are any.

fistmaster wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2024 2:14 am I like this thread, it's really helpful for me since I just got some cichlids and was wondering what kind of plants would do well in the tank. I was thinking the same thing, it would be great if we had a list of plants that can survive with cichlids. Only thing I would suggest is maybe adding a few more plants that are suitable for a cichlid tank, if there are any.

Glad you like the thread.

I'll have some more time tomorrow to work on the list and make it even better.

I'll do some more research and add more plants to the list, like you suggested.

Thanks again for your feedback, really appreciate it.