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I bought 3 onion plants for my african cichlid tank for one corner, they were on sale. I was told cichlid don't like taste, they require lower light and are hardy. Is this fairly true? Can I expect this plants to last. I was told they won't grow fast or really good, but should be able to do good.
Thanks for the info.............openwater

***edit note++++ I just found the sciencetific name so I added to aviod confusion.........................

Last edited by openwater at 06-Nov-2004 12:41

I have tried Onion plant in every one of my tanks and it failed miserably.
I dont know if they will do well in your tank or not, they seemed to want something I couldnt give them.
Good luck with it.


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I've just bought one of these it hasnt arrived yet, this is what ive read about it:

"Quick growing plant that needs a nutrient rich substrate. Propagation rare in the aquarium" - plantgeek.net

"Crinum thaianum is a bulbous plant with very long strap-shaped leaves, 1 to 3 cm wide. Some individuals are able to attain a leaf length of 4 m. It is an unpretentious plant apart from the requirements to space. Crinum thaianum benefits from a nutrient rich substrate but the bulb is vulnerable to rot. This can be avoided by cutting off the longest roots before planting as they are most subjected to rotting. It is reproduced by adventitious bulbs on large individuals. Crinum thaianum is not eaten by fishes which makes it particularly suitable for cichlids aquariums." - birstall.co.uk

I'll let you know how mine does when i get it

They need a reasonable amount of light and need regular fertilization. I kept mine in a sand substrate (before I knew any better), and they did alright, so I would assume they would all but burst out of teh tank in coarse 100% flourite.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 07-Nov-2004 12:18

They will do fine under NO lighting. But they do need a nutrient rich substrate. Try using Flourite. Also, it is always good to fertilize you rooted plants with fertilizer tabs. You can get these at most LFS.

On another note, if your onion is doing well, and there is room at the top of your tank, it will bloom a very nice white large flower, about 3 inches diameter. Mine has done this several times.

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There is always a bigger fish...

I got one several months ago, it was small and cute looking, now it has become this hardy monster inside the tank, i have to say i have mixed feelings about it, it sure looks good, but the leaves are so so hard they just literarly push stuff in the tank out of their way, it's is almost imposible to arrange them also, they just do what they want in there, so that's the down side IME. Good side, nothing can destroy them!!! i have it with a plant eating pleco (exiled to that tank because of his ban habbits), and he won't even go near it, it has resisted anti ich treatment several times, i don't have a nutrient rich substrate only common fine pea gravel and still doing wonders.

It is a slow grower, but once it starts on it, i'm almost afraid it will push the tank lid up!

The only thing I have ever seen eat the onion plants are the giant rams horn snails. They actually love the bulb, and will eat it away. Though they will not touch the leaves.

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There is always a bigger fish...

mine arrived yesterday... ITS HUGE! the bulb is about 5", but the leaves had been cut back to about 4" so im hoping they will continue to grow...

One more thing... once you plant the onion, try not to move it much. They don't tolerate it well at all.

By the way, thank you for including the scientific name. That can be really helpful in some cases... Latin names are good to learn, anyway, as it can clear up confusion over common names.

Last edited by wolfie8113 at 17-Nov-2004 23:52

Thanks for the info

Another question
How deep do you plant your onions? Do you bury the bulb, half bury, or 1/4 bury?

I usually dig a hole for the bulb, put it in, cover it, and pull up so that about half the bulb is sticking out of the gravel. It really wants its roots in the substrate, but not much else, so that works pretty well. Just make sure you're not pushing the bulb into the gravel; you'll bruise the bulb and roots like that.

-Sarah