January 23, 2010
Should My Jack Dempsey Fish Tank Have Live Plants?
Q… Should I put plants in the aquarium with my Jack Dempsey cichlids?
A… Not as a rule, no! Jack Dempseys enjoy feasting on plants or at the very least, ripping them out of the gravel. Artificial plants are the only way to go with these energetic cichlids, however you’ll find that they will change your planting scheme contstantly.
If you have a nursery tank full of growing babies, then plants can be very beneficial. They will harbor micro organisms and bacteria that the fry will consume. Small juveniles may not destroy your plants but JDs much larger than 2 1/2 inches can, and probably will make a mess.
Check out this method of making your own DIY artificial plants for your aquarium from green plastic trash bags. It’s not for your show tank but it makes very good shelter for your jeveniles in the nursery.
… Jack Lamountain
Written by: jackarthur46
Filed Under: JD Q&A
Michael
January 30, 2010 at 12:03 am
How u doing.
I have tried, and tried to keep live plants with my jack, and its been nothing but trouble. One minute the plants look great , where i put them, the next minute all floating on top. Good look if you try!