Underwater Plants That Fish Eat

Algae

• Algae are the most simple food option for fish. To obtain algae for an aquarium, place rocks in water in a separate container from the fish aquarium and lay the container in the sun. After about a week or two, the rock will have developed algae and it can be placed in the aquarium with fish. After fish have consumed all of the algae on the rock, repeat the process. Other types of algae, such as "moss balls" can be purchased and serve as an unending food source for fish. Cichlids, fish originally from the African Great Lakes, are especially fond of algae.

Fast Growing Plants

• Because some fish tend to eat plants faster than the plants can grow, fast-growing underwater plants may be an option to consider. Such plants are typically soft and grow in easily eaten bunches. Cabomba for example, which can be found in both red and green forms, grows quickly when exposed to adequate light. Egeria and Elodea plants, also commonly called "pondweed," serve as an oxygen supply for fish tanks. For aquarium novices, Hygrophila serve as an easy-to-grow starter plant. As the plant grows, its bottom leaves become softer, making them easier for fish to chew.

Floating Plants

• Floating plants are especially suited for goldfish and koi. Varieties include Riccia, or liverwort, Pistia stratiotes, or water lettuce, and Ceratopteris, or water sprite. Lemna, or duckweed is another floating plant, but it must be used with caution as it has the potential to completely overtake an aquarium in a short amount of time.

Flowering Plants

• Flowering plants include Nymphaea, also known as water lilies and water lotus, which sends flowering leaves to the surface of the aquarium. As the lower leaves age, they serve as a handy food source for fish. The Aponogeton is a tuber plant that is easy to grow. In addition to eating the leaves of this plant, fish will also eat the flowers and seeds that fall back into the water.