Java Ferns for cichlid tank, What say you?

[Aaronlee8647]

Hello dear Cichlid experts. I've a few quetions for you. I learned that it's hard to keep cichlids in a planted tank because of the digging and root-biting hehaviors. But I then found out that java ferns can survive in a cichlid tank. I plan to get those plants, but i need to know whether these plants can survive without any mechanical CO2 supply as in using the CO2 tank, CO2 diffuser and all those stuff. And do they need bright lights? The ferns on the land do not require strong sunlight. They can be found in dark place where sunlight is shielded by other tall trees. I wonder java ferns share the same characteristic.

Hoping to hear from you guys soon

Signed
Aaron Lee

[Cichlid Connections]

It is about the only plant that is suitable. Low lighting and not demanding. Can survive without C02.. read somewhere that they have a bad taste towards fishes hence fishes leave them alone, but I do see some fishes feeding on them thought. Anyway, Anubias and valissineria is another option for smaller cichlids.

[Aaronlee8647]

Originally Posted by Cichlid Connections

It is about the only plant that is suitable. Low lighting and not demanding. Can survive without C02.. read somewhere that they have a bad taste towards fishes hence fishes leave them alone, but I do see some fishes feeding on them thought. Anyway, Anubias and valissineria is another option for smaller cichlids.

Thanks Joe,
It has been 4 years now since I forsook my cichlid keeping nature for I have to leave for KL to further my study. Next year after graduation I'll start again the interest that I have long deserted. I'm gonna get a four feet tank and the species I am planning to keep are the convict cichlid, firemouth, rainbow cichlid and also the poor man's tropheous. They are small cichlid species and I've read that they could make a nice community. There will be only one fish for each species in that tank so that the over aggressiveness during spawning will not occur. But which gender would be more preferable?

Signed
Aaron Lee