9 Best Aquarium Plants for Ram Cichlids
If you want to keep Ram Cichlids, it is important to be prepared and have the right environment for them.
Ram cichlids are originally from the warm, slow-moving rivers of Venezuela and Colombia, so it is important to choose the plants you put in your tank carefully, aiming to provide them with the best possible medium that reminds them of their original, natural habitat.
It is also important, of course, to save both money and time.
So, let’s take a look at the nine best low-maintenance plants for your Ram Cichlid aquarium.
1. Amazon Sword
The Amazon Sword plant is by far one of the most popular plants for freshwater aquariums.
It is easy to grow and has lush green foliage, sword-shaped long leaves that look quite attractive. It grows to a height of approximately 1 foot, which is why it is best planted in the back of tanks.
They require relatively little care and grow visibly well in moderate to bright light. They get most of their nutrients from the nitrate and phosphate content of the water. A nutrient-rich substrate can help them maintain healthy growth.
They are fairly adaptable plants yet prefer water with a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 pH between 72 and 82°F, within a range of 3 to 8 dKH.
2. Anubias
Anubias plants are of the favorite aquarium plants for beginners, as it is not delicate, is hardy and most aquarium fish don’t mind its tough foliage. It doesn’t require any special feeding, and the added carbon dioxide will at most speed up its growth rate.
It can cope with low light levels, is not demanding on water quality, can be kept in most common community pools, room aquariums and is very hardy. A variety of fish species prefer to seek shelter and resting places among their leaves.
It is perfectly at home in most community aquariums and African biotopes. Its leaves are often colonized by brush algae and point algae.
Its only weakness is its root system. It should not be buried, or it will rot. Many people tie it to stones and trees with twine, which gives it a very decorative effect.
If possible, place the rhizome on the ground, taking care not to bury it, and then carefully lay a piece of stone on top. This keeps the rootstock viable, and the roots anchor the plant in the soil.
It is slow-growing and therefore time-consuming to propagate, which justifies its slightly higher commercial price. It also develops its shoots on its rhizome, from which it can be propagated by cuttings, but always select shoots that have at least 4-5 leaves and have also grown viable roots.
3. Cryptocoryne
Cryptocoryne or better known as crypt plants Suitable for almost any aquarium, it is a popular species for community tanks. Because it is so undemanding, it is a beginner’s favorite aquatic plant, easily and often available.
Its leaves and stems are sturdy and do not bother most fish, making it a perfect species for African perch aquariums, and you often see this type of arrangement. It is very decorative in either a densely vegetated tank, a community tank or a rocky Malawi pool.
They will appreciate a root pellet, or you can feed them with liquid food, but in a normal tank, it is not important to feed them separately.
Their growth can sometimes stall, and they may drop their leaves, this may be due to a sudden change in water quality. In such cases, it is advisable to stabilize the water and leave the plant alone for a while, possibly feeding it.
It thrives in hard, alkaline water as well as in slightly acidic, softer water, which is why it has become so popular and suitable for most tropical aquariums. It also has moderate light requirements and will thrive in a not very well-lit aquarium.
It has a medium growth rate and occasional algae growth on its leaves, which can be helped by algae-eating fish. Some experience has shown that if planted in a small, closed container, the root system cannot grow very large, and the plant invests more energy in developing the leaves.
4. Hornwort
Hornwort is one of the best-known species of seaweed among aquarists and an excellent floating plant. Thanks to its extraordinary adaptability, it has conquered the whole world, where it has the right conditions and thrives intensively.
It is not only an excellent choice for aquariums but also garden ponds. With its rapid growth, it quickly absorbs the nutrients that algae need to thrive, helping purify the water to combat algae blooms.
Its needs are very easy to meet, making it the perfect choice for beginners.
It does not tolerate darkness well, but an average neon-lit pool is a plenty to look after. It grows visibly in just a day or two. It likes cool water but tolerates temperatures as low as 82-86 °F. It shows no particular sensitivity to chemistry or hardness.
It is best avoided being attacked by filamentous green algae, which can lead to its death if they infest its leaves.
5. Java Fern
This decorative water fern can be used to decorate a wide variety of areas in the pool.
Experience has shown that it is a slightly heat-demanding plant, preferring clean, soft to medium-hard, slightly acidic water at 75 to 82°F, but it is highly adaptable and will thrive in slightly salty, colder or hard water. An average, medium-lift pool is perfectly suitable for its care.
Most fish do not mind it, so it can even be planted in perch pools. Also suitable as a companion aquarium plant. It is a popular plant for aquarists because it can grow on a variety of surfaces, making it an interesting aquarium plant.
6. Sagittaria
Sagittaria is easy to grow under medium brightness without CO2. It can withstand extreme hard and brackish water.
Plant it in the second row in the aquarium as it will cover the bottom and form a dense, uniform shrubby area that will make an excellent hiding place for small fry.
Keeping it requires a little attention: always prune off dead leaves, thin out the bushes and provide adequate nutrients. Otherwise, it grows quickly. To propagate, cut offshoots from the plant that have already produced a new plant at least one-third the size of the mother plant.
In low light, it tends to elongate, and its leaves can grow up to 1,5 feet long. In bright light, it will stay under four inches.
7. Vallisneria
One of the best-known and least demanding aquatic plants is Vallisneria. It develops many shoots on its tendrils in bright places, from which it is easily propagated.
It does not require any special feeding, and the amount of nutrients present in an average aquarium that the plant can use is usually sufficient to meet its needs. Of course, if it is fed carbon dioxide, it will grow even more intensively.
Try to provide a bright place with relatively intense lighting for optimum growth. Not sensitive to chemistry and hardness within the average range, it will grow well in soft water, as well as tap water. It is not a delicate plant and does not require any special care, so it can be recommended for beginners.
8. Water Wisteria
Water wisteria is a very decorative and popular aquatic plant, available in most pet shops. Its care is not generally problematic, just a few precautions need to be taken.
It has a high light requirement and needs strong lighting to grow into a beautiful plant. It can be lit up to 12 hours a day. In low light, it tends to wilt.
It prefers warm water and can be kept well above 86°F without any problems but will also do well in an average 77-78 °F pool. It is not sensitive to the chemical properties of the water. Its nutrient requirements are moderate.
9. Marimo Moss Ball
Marimo moss balls are perfect for small aquariums. Does not require extra CO2 or too much lighting. It can survive in low light but will tolerate high light.
It likes crystal clear water and moderate water movement. It will not tolerate temperatures above 75 °F for extended periods, although a general 77-78 °F may still be adequate for keeping. 50-75 °F is most optimal.
It is interesting to observe how some fish roll their spheres back and forth, or how a colony saturated with oxygen bubbles from too much light lifts between the bottom and the water surface.
In companion tanks, place them in the front, although this will be altered by the current and the fish.
It is not usually bothered by perch, or even specifically herbivorous fish, so is suitable for most aquarium types.
Conclusion
Each of these plants can be a striking addition to your aquarium, providing a suitable home for your ram cichlids or other fish. Fortunately, they are easy to obtain and do not require constant care, so we recommend them for beginner aquariums.
