10 plants for freshwater aquarium
Before you decide to have an aquarium at home, it’s essential to be aware that it’s not just a decoration. Will the waters inside an aquarium be there? House? your pet fish. So is it important to create a positive environment that recreates, as much as possible, of course? the natural habitat of these animals.
- Today.
- We can find several resources to enrich the fishing environment in specialized shops and also on the Internet.
- But one of the best alternatives are natural aquarium plants.
- In addition to providing beauty.
- The plants help to form a mini ecosystem within the aquarium.
- Which can be combined with rocks.
- Small logs.
- Gravel.
- Etc.
Therefore, it is necessary to have some knowledge to choose the aquarium plants that best suit the needs and behavior of the fish species we choose to create. In this Animal Expert article, we’ll introduce you to help you beautify and enrich your fish’s environment.
Much of our planet is covered with water and it is not surprising that aquatic vegetation is extremely rich and diverse, forming different ecosystems. In salt and soft water, there are several plants that fulfill essential functions for the balance of aquatic life.
However, not all of these species can survive properly in compact, man-made environments, such as an aquarium. Generally, freshwater plant types for aquariums are classified into 7 large groups:
Although they offer several advantages to enrich the aquarium, natural plants require work, dedication and investment. Each species requires certain environmental conditions to be returned correctly. In addition to the fertile substrate, it is essential to take into account water temperature, the amount of oxygen and CO2, the availability of light (solar or artificial), etc.
Depending on the characteristics and needs of each aquatic plant, its maintenance will require more or less time, effort and money from the aquarium owner. If you’re new to the art of aquarium maintenance, or if you don’t have the time and patience to take care of delicate and regular care, it’s ideal to prefer plants that are simple and easy to maintain.
Reflecting, we list 10 aquatic aquarium plants with their basic characteristics:
This aquatic freshwater plant is native to Southeast Asia, especially the famous Java island. Because it adapts very well to aquariums, even when there is low light, it has become popular all over the world. Generally, it shows excellent fixation on any type of fertile substrate and has moderate growth, reaching about 8 centimeters in height. Growing, they form thick groups.
Java Moss is an aquarium plant that coexists in a balanced way with almost all freshwater aquarium fish. They even tend to play a fundamental role in the reproduction of these species, as they serve as a spawning place and also as a refuge for small young fish or aquarium shrimp.
Plants of the genus Anubia are mainly associated with the African continent. But like Java moss, some species were very famous for their adaptability to freshwater aquariums. For beginners, it is recommended to start growing Anubias nana, both for its compact size and for its simplicity of maintenance. Another advantage is that fish generally do not eat this plant.
Anubias nana is a rhizome-type plant that grows between 5 cm and 10 cm tall inside aquariums. Its growth is slow and constant, developing optimally at temperatures between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius. This type of plant should preferably be grown on rocks to prevent the rhizome from being completely covered and rotting.
Originally from Brazil, the melon sword is one of the easiest to maintain. They usually reach a maximum height of 50 cm and have an interesting color change during growth. The young leaves have beautiful reddish tones, while the mature leaves are mostly green.
Although very resistant, it does not adapt well to excessively warm waters, as they grow abundantly in the southern region of Brazil. Ideal temperatures for growth are about 24 degrees Celsius and should not exceed 27 degrees Celsius. Besides, they’re solitary and don’t grow in colonies.
The approximately 100 species native to South America that make up the botanical genus Hydrocotyle are commonly called caiu-us. One of them, Hydrocotyle Leucocephala, is very popular in freshwater aquariums for its attractive shape and the bright dark green of its leaves.
Unlike other lush plants, cairus are easy-to-maintain freshwater aquarium plants that adapt well even to newly started aquariums. They are also very versatile and can be grown directly on the substrate or as a plant for a floating aquarium. They adapt perfectly to warm or temperate waters, at temperatures of 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. In these optimal conditions its growth is fast, but the plant barely exceeds 40 cm in height.
Image Source: Reproduction / Aqua Plants
As the name suggests, the grass is ideal for making these natural carpets on the bottom or front of the aquarium. Native to South America and very present in Brazil, this plant grows rapidly when it has a fine and fertile substrate. As its leaves can have different shades of green, from light green to flag, you can enjoy an interesting contrast.
Maintenance is also relatively simple, although it is important to ensure that an excessive concentration of fish food waste is not concentrated in the soil. It also requires intense light and water inside the aquarium should remain at moderate temperatures between 15 and 24 degrees Celsius.
It is one of the only aquatic and floating freshwater aquarium plants, which attracts attention for its particularly small size. Even in optimal conditions, this species is just over 4 mm in length and has only one root.
Its maintenance is super simple and contributes to the balance of waterproofing or aquarium, as it consumes some hazardous waste, such as ammonia. One thing to consider before growing water lentils is that several species of fish and snails like to eat them. However, as this plant breeds rapidly, there is usually no imbalance between populations.
Aqui encontramos outra planta exclusivamente aquática e flutuante, com um interessante formato que resulta similar às alfaces e textura aveludada. Esta é uma espécie cosmopolita, rústica e resistente, sendo capaz de sobreviver em diferentes ecossistemas. Por isso, pode ser ideal para os iniciantes na arte de cultivar plantas naturais para aquários.
Although it does not require substrate, it is essential to grow it under bright light and in chlorine-free water or other chemicals. A possible drawback of water lettuce cultivation is that it tends to reproduce easily, especially in macro-rich waters and micronutrients. Therefore, it is important to be attentive to the organic matter available within the aquarium to prevent it from becoming a pest.
To maintain the health of this plant, it is essential to monitor the growth of algae inside the aquarium. An interesting strategy is to combine it with animals that help keep the aquarium clean, such as the Chinese seaweed eater. Apart from this detail, the development of the Amazon is slow, but constant, requiring periodic pruning to control the height.
Nativa da Índia e do Sudeste asiática, a wisteria aquática também poderia estar numa lista das ?queridinhas? de quem está se iniciando na aquariofilia. Esta planta de coroa se caracteriza pelos caules bem erguidos que crescem como pares opostos e dos quais nascem folhas com lóbulos arredondados de coloração verde clara.
As they capture nutrients through the leaves and roots that float in water, they can be grown on simple substrates. However, they need a medium to high light, and it is recommended to add a contribution of CO2 to the water to facilitate its development. Optimal temperatures for growth range from 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, always with a pH close to neutrality (6.5 to 7.5 degrees).
Few aquarium plants are as striking as pink ammonia, native to the African continent. The orange or slightly pink red hue of its leaves and stems creates a fabulous contrast and adds a noble air to the seal. However, you should know that this species needs to receive an intense light to conquer these coveted shades.
Pink ammania must also have a fertile substrate and temperatures between 20 and 27 degrees Celsius to grow properly. In addition, an additional ingress of CO2 into the water will also facilitate its growth. Although they require a little more care and attention than the other freshwater aquarium plants on our list, you’ll find it worth growing!
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Basic Care section.