I have long had success with keeping much or all of the bottom of tanks covered with plants. This provides cover, both for weary females and fry. At one time, this was usually java moss. That worked well, but could get so dense in places that fish could not pass and, if allowed to get too thick, would die out at the bottom.

In recent years, as I have been able to grow enough, I have been moving to Suswassertang (translates as something like freshwater seaweed), Lomariopsis Lineata. It grows more slowly than java, but is made up of many small (3/4 inch?) fragments which are convoluted in a way that always means there is space between. It can also grow to at least 3 inches thick without the bottom dying out. I find it even more tolerant of low light than java and, like java, it is quite salt tolerant for those who are into salt.

Just wanted to share this experience and ask if anyone else had experience or thoughts.