can anybody tell me what are some good plants to add to an african cichlid tank??? I am getting tired of the fake plants and want to try some real ones for a change.

Java moss, java fern and anubias are the easy choices with low light requirements, depending on the species of fish. Valisneria is another one if you don't have diggers.

ok Liz thanks for the info. i will look them up. i do have a couple of diggers too. but i may still try it.

Good luck, let me know how it goes. I too am tired of fake. I'm afarid placing the real things in there will be devoured like a school of piranah.

I'm able to keep anubias with goldfish, who are notorious plant eaters, and as long as they are fed greens from time to time (peas, zucchini or veggie pellets) they don't bother it at all. I've kept plants with mbuna as long as they were not rooted plants, but the kind that grows on rocks.

The plants that grow on rocks are Anubias sp., Java fern and Java moss. Those are the basics, and are easy to find. Are you coming to the meeting? I can bring you some of each.

There are a few other species but they are harder to find and require more light or strong current, but the ones above are no-brainer type plants.

most fish wont bother the Anubias plant because of the thich stem.
the best plant i had going was the back wall of a 33 long covered in christmas moss looked cool too
Java fern is also a good one you can attach it to logs and big rocks with fishing line and it will grow on most anything

Thanks Liz but no i will be in Pa. or Ny. wish i could be there though. I will be in town next weekend so if ya can keep everything for me when i come to richmond to pick up some fish maybe we can meet and you can pass them on to me then, if ya can. that would be great!!!

Thanks Marlboro Red for the info. wow a whole back wall covered does seem kool..