Types of Salt Water Plants

Nearly 80 percent of the earth is covered with water. Humans can only make use of around one percent of this, however, as this is the amount of fresh water available to us. Ninety-seven percent of the rest of the water on earth is salt water, and the remaining two percent is frozen as glaciers. Salt water leads to different plant and animal life than does fresh water. For aquarium enthusiasts, the proper salt water plants can be crucial to sustaining the aquarium.

  1. Shaving Brush

    • Also known as the painter’s brush or mermaid’s shaving brush, the shaving brush plant resides within warmer areas of the Atlantic Ocean. Shaving brush, a form of algae with the scientific name Penicillus capitatus, grows within sand beds. This plant requires water depths of 15 feet or less for growth. In addition, plenty of light is needed for the plant to grow, which is why it is located in shallower waters. Shaving brush plants absorb nitrates within the water. For reproduction, the algae generate runners from the stem, which then break off and become rooted in the sand.

    Mermaid Fan

    • Mermaid fan plants grow around the Caribbean area. Some are known to grow up toward the Bahamas region of the Atlantic Ocean. These plants enjoy warmer waters and require no pruning. Calcium is stored within their tissues, which is beneficial to saltwater aquariums. Fish usually avoid eating the mermaid fan plant. Mermaid fan plants are related to Halimeda plants, which are also used in aquariums.

    Maiden’s Hair

    • Also known as turtle grass or turtle weed, maiden’s hair algae are classified in the Codiaceae family. Maiden’s hair grows in most oceans around the world. The plant needs a medium amount of light to survive. The name of the plant is derived from the fact that it resembles tufts of hair. Maiden’s hair algae require iron in order to grow and are compatible with other saltwater plants. However, the plant is poisonous to fish because it contains a toxic substance and therefore fish avoid eating it.

    Money Plant

    • Halimeda algae, also known as money plants, live worldwide in saltwater bodies. Money plants originate within Hawaii and are part of the Halimeda family of algae. The plant requires calcium and iron for growth. Calcium is stored within the tissue of the plant; upon the death of a plant, the calcium remains as sediment. The money plant can grow well with other saltwater plants as it is not a dominant plant. It requires a moderate amount of light for growth. Money plants do not tolerate high levels of nitrate, making them compatible with nitrate-absorbing plants. Fish generally do not feed from these plants.