Silk plants for cover?

RackinRocky

I have several live plants in my 55 gal. right now, and just ordered a 20 piece slate rock kit to make another cave for my Bolivian Ram. (I already have several and he's in a community tank). I also bought a dark background, all in an effort to make him feel more secure. Well, I wanted to get a bushy fake plant to put beside the cave, in his favorite area of the tank. One who's leaves will cascade down, more or less, instead of standing straight up. Better cover, I guess is what I'm trying to say. For a forest type feeling for him. I found an 8" silk Hygrophlia by Penn plax. My question is, do the leaves on these silk plants bend? This way, I can make the leaves cascade over so he can go under them to sleep, hide or whatever. I was thinking of buying two to make an extra bushy plant. Thanks!

GwenInNM

You could use aquarium safe silicone glue and place the leaves in anyway you'd like. I would make sure there is enough space for him to feel comfortable getting in/out, and not trapped. I have a Bolivian Ram and though I have lots of plants, I only have one big structure of malaysian drift wood, that he could hide in/behind. I never see him hiding. I really didn't know that needed that? Does yours hide a lot?

Gwen

RackinRocky

Thanks, Gwen. No, mine doesn't hide. In fact, he's always out in front with all the others. But I keep reading they need lots of cover in the form of caves and especially plants. So I want to make that available for him. I am always worrying about my fish not having an environment that is natural for them.

GwenInNM

That's great of you. I do the same thing :) I'm glad I'm not the only one, and apparently, there are lots of good caring people who do their best to provide the "best" environment for their fish, that have, in most cases, been through so much to get to our tanks.

Gwen

RackinRocky

So true, Gwen. Its amazing how tough fish are, with what they have to endure before they even get to the fish store. I think Bolivians Rams are the greatest! I think this is one of the most personable, human-like fish I've ever owned, with my female bettas coming very close! They have both won my heart!

iamgray

What about sewing the plants with the right colour of thread so it doesn't show up?

RackinRocky

I found some fake begonias, soaked them for two days, and no color bled off, so I put them in the tank. Just the right height for the fish to go under, and they even look real! Thanks for the suggestions. Right now though, my fish are sick and dying on me daily. My heart is breaking.

GwenInNM

Oh, so sad. I'm sorry. Do large water changes immediately. It's either the plant that had something, or your tank is cycling still? What are your water parameters?

Gwen

fish monger

Do you suspect the begonias ? They probably weren't meant for an aquarium. I'd get them out and do some serious water changes. So sorry. That fact that your ram was out and happy tells me that you were providing a nice secure environment. They are more confident when they know they have a place to go and you seem to have had that covered.