Plants and Goldfish your experiences, suggestions.

1988 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Gilly13, Dec 31, 2016

Gilly13

Discussion Starter · Dec 30, 2016

I've had goldfish of all types and koi for over 10 years all in ponds. I knew what plants to use and not use. Now a year after a horrific run in with a raccoon I've moved my remaining comet, shubunkin and sarsasa indoors and then proceeded to plunge head first into the world of planted tanks which is a whole different beast then my pond. So after nearly a year of research and my own personal experiences I'ed like to share what plants have worked for me what hasn't and see what other people have experienced.

I know many peoples first suggestion is going to be to get rid of the goldfish but I happen to like having fish with personality and are interactive.

So in my experience and with my particular fish which I know can very I always ask for larger more mature plants because a young plant with new growth is nothing more then smorgasbord board for the three. Once they became used to the plants in the tank my issues truned from them eating the plants to them digging them up. I tried gluing them to small rocks, tying them to stuff, eventually my solution was to put evertying in pots.
Plant I've tired that have worked
Hygro sp. Tiger (prettly much leave it alone)
Hygro. diff (they chew on it but it grows fast
Crypts (don't chew on em but are notorious for digging them up until established)
Anubias (don't touch em)
Ferns (don't touch em)
Swords I have Red Flame, Keliner Prinz and Indian Red (don't touch em)
Crinum (I love this thing they don't touch it)
Buce (don't bother em)

Plants that I have tired that don't work and this is speculative because all these plants were recommended to me by friends of mine who have goldfish, their fish apparently left these plants alone but mine for whatever reason decided they would not follow the expectations and habits of other goldfish.
Hygro compacta. (this plant didn't even last a day)
Dwarf sag (they eat it and dig it up)
Jungle Vals (eat and dig up)
ANY CARPET PLANT
Nymphoides sp. Taiwan (I loved the leaves on this plant and so did my fish)
Moss of any type
Helanthium bolivianum "Vesuvias'

Plants I plan on trying,
Ludwigia sp. Red
Ludwigia x lacustris
Rotala caterpillar
Tiger Lotus Red
Lobelia Cardianlis small form
Hydrocotyle Leucocphala

So I'm looking for suggestions and other peoples experiences with goldfish tanks. I running a 30" Stingray about 18 in above substrate which should put my PAR at about 30 at substrate. So I'm looking for low/medium light plants that other people have had success with. I use liquid Co2, root tabs and column ferts and weekly water changes.
Looking forward to other peoples experiences.

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MCHRKiller

· #2 · Dec 30, 2016

Your list of success is pretty much the list which works for most golds. Crypts are good...I have used about every species of crypt with golds and none have been bothered. Some floating species work well...they just outgrow what the golds can eat. Frogbit is awesome for this and it gives them some plant matter in their diet. Apon. crispus works as well....its tough as nails though.

One thing that also helps curb golds tendency to go after your plants is feeding foods high in vegetable content....I feed Hikari Sinking Cichlid Excel, Cobalt Spirulina flakes, and Emerald Entree Frozen.

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Gilly13

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 30, 2016

MCHRKiller said:
Your list of success is pretty much the list which works for most golds. Crypts are good...I have used about every species of crypt with golds and none have been bothered. Some floating species work well...they just outgrow what the golds can eat. Frogbit is awesome for this and it gives them some plant matter in their diet. Apon. crispus works as well....its tough as nails though.

One thing that also helps curb golds tendency to go after your plants is feeding foods high in vegetable content....I feed Hikari Sinking Cichlid Excel, Cobalt Spirulina flakes, and Emerald Entree Frozen.

Never thought of changing their food. I've been trying to get my hands on some frogbait or other floaters. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into those foods.

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MCHRKiller

· #4 · Dec 30, 2016

If you want some frogbit hit me up on PM and I can send you some for shipping. I toss cups of the stuff every week.

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bigbadjon

· #5 · Dec 31, 2016

I've never had a goldfish eat java fern. I have had some that ate anubias nana and nana petite. I also had more issues with fancy varieties eating plants than hardy types. Adding more veggies to their diet to quell plant eating will not work. Goldfish graze 24 hours a day and if you have one that eats plants it will do so perpetually.

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Trinity

· #6 · Dec 31, 2016

Thank you for that list. My goldies have been terrors on plants.

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Anorea

· #7 · Dec 31, 2016

I appreciate that list. The only plants i have in with my goldies are anubias, crypts, marimo, and anacharis.

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Gilly13

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 31, 2016

I'm glad you both found the list useful but beware that what works for mine might not work for yours. It's a good place to start but like I mentioned a friend of mine has a aquarium with a huge val forest and her goldfish don't touch it, but me didn't even last a day.
I'll keep updating this post on how the new plant order does.

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