I was going to do live plants in mine but I went to my local cichlid store (Boise Freshwater Aquariums) and he told me that the fish would dig them up and "chew" on them.

so hope that helps :wink:

 

Java ferns do well, but they need to be tied to something, either driftwood or rocks. Java ferns are quite tough so most fish don't like to chew/munch on them.

 

Anubias might work if tied to a rock or wood. Anachris is another plant that has a bad taste to fish.

 

I have had good luck with Java ferns. I have one sword that survived.

My haps and peacocks liked my vals and laid into them and the roots. I had java moss that I let do it's own thing and where I planted it it didn't really grow, but it grew in a lot of random places and it looks pretty good. With the algae too it's pretty nice coverage.

I am also pumping the PAR into the plants right now with my lighting, so YMMV, but no CO2 and flourish excel only once a week

 

Is a 10 gallon aquarium good for a juvenile Jack Dempsey that's about two inches.

 

Is a 10 gallon aquarium good for a juvenile Jack Dempsey that's about two inches.

You're joking right....?