Importance of Aquatic Plants

Live aquarium plants, besides being attractive, also provide a more natural and comfortable environment for your fish. There are many hardy, fast-growing species of aquarium plant suitable for even novice aquarium owners.

  1. Types

    • Categorize plants by height: foreground plants (shortest), middle ground plants and background plants (tallest). These categorizations are used when planning plant placement in the aquarium and are in no way definite: a java fern may be used as a foreground plant in a 100-gallon aquarium, but would only work as a background plant in a 10-gallon aquarium.

      Categorize plants by physical traits: ferns, carpet plants (mosses), bunching plants and specimen or "centerpiece" plants.

      Categorize plants by difficulty level: beginner, moderate or difficult. A beginner plant will grow in a wide range of temperatures and light conditions. A difficult plant would be one that is sensitive to water parameters and requires CO2 injections or other special care.

    Plants for Beginners

    • The Java Fern, Java Moss, Amazon Sword, and bamboo are all inexpensive, low-maintenance plants good for novice aquarium owners.

      Java Moss--and many other aquarium mosses--can simply be tied to a rock or piece of driftwood with a fishing line. They do not need to be "planted". Most moss-type plants are also tolerant of low or varying light conditions.

    Considerations

    • Many of the most spectacular aquarium plants require very specific lighting conditions and CO2 injections. Even for an experienced fishkeeper, "difficult" aquarium plants require learning an entirely new side of aquarium science.

      Some omnivorous fish, as well as many crabs and crayfish, will eat live plants.

      Healthy aquarium plants require a substrate (gravel) that can hold nutriets and trace minerals.

    Buying Aquarium Plants

    • Chain stores like Petco carry many typical aquarium plants at reasonable prices.

      If you have decided on a specific, exotic plant and can't find it at your local pet store, ask the manager if they are able to special order plants from their supplier.

      EBay can be a source of great deals on aquarium plants, especially some unique mosses and fern bulbs.

      If you order a plant through the mail and it appears dead upon arrival, follow the directions for planting it anyway. You may find it that it springs to life after a day or two.

    Benefits of Live Plants

    • Live plants make an aquarium look more natural.

      Live plants generate oxygen.

      Live plants may make use of the nutrients that enter the environment through overfeeding and the excretion of fish waste.