Plant Friendly African Cichlids

[ScottFish]

I have been thinking about changing my 40 gal. (Breeder) tank over to Af. Cich. The water is hard and I look forward to a new challenge. This change won't happen for awhile; I'm waiting for a natural die-off, and/or creative "tank-shuffling." I'm looking for recommendations for fish for the tank bearing in mind I want them to be plant-friendly. Plants: Anubias, Sword, and Cork. Val. Also, I have a pretty-good current in the tank. Any suggestions?

[Diana]

How about shell dwellers? Lake Tanganyika has several species, and there seems to be at least one from Lake Malawi.
A 40 breeder would be a really good tank for these, they could get a nice colony going.
Of course they are dedicated diggers, so Anubias and Bolbitis fern would be great (grow them attached to wood or rock). Rooted plants should be protected (plant in pots or cover roots with rocks)

[Crazygar]

Whatever you decide, feed them well, or your plants will be looked upon as As U Can Eat. When I had my Multies, they decimated a piece of lettuce I put in the tank. First, they ripped it to shreds...

Well fed and they will ignore, and yes, whether from Lake Malawi or Lake Tang, they are diggers, any rooted plants will be uprooted in a hurry unless you have them in pots or just use Anubias and Java Fern.

Gary

[ScottFish]

Thanks for the tips. Any other suggestions? How about wise words from the old-timers: @Hurriken<-- ATUB -->@J.B.<-- ATUB -->