Betta FishThe Most Fascinating Fish Of All Tropical Fishes

Live Aquarium Plants : Floating water plants are commonly used in aquariums. Besides adding to the beauty of the aquarium by giving it a “pond” look, these plants provide benefits for the fishes as well. For example, one of the common benefits is that floating water plants provides spawning sites for fishes. Also, for aquariums that require low lighting, floating plants help to block the light coming from above the aquarium. In this way, it helps the inhabitants of the aquarium to survive well. Some common floating water plants used in aquariums are described below.

Duckweed (Lemna minor)
Duckweed has oval green leaves and it grows very fast. As the leaves of this plant spread widely, this aquarium plant can help to block light rays shining on to the water. Too much light can heat up the water in the fish tank causing harm to the fishes. Also, high exposure of light can cause the growth of harmful algae. The leaves of Duckweed provide shelter as well as spawning sites for the fishes. Some fishes like to feed on this plant and it provides good nutrition due to its high content of vitamins and minerals. Duckweed takes in ammonia and hence, helps to reduce its content in the water. This plant only requires moderate lighting. However, as this floating water plant is fast-growing, it requires pruning to keep it in shape.

Crystalwort (Riccia fluitans)
Riccia fluitans is a popular floating water plant used in aquariums. It grows just below the surface of the water. This plant has tiny strands mat together which forms a solid mass. Riccia fluitans provides benefit for bubble-nesters as they use it as a point of attachment for their nests. This aquarium plant is also often used as spawning sites. It grows well in bright lighting and receives plenty of carbon dioxide.

Amazon frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)
Limnobium laevigatum is beautiful floating water plant with waxy leaves. This plant can produce shoots that will form a small plant at the end. If this end breaks off, it will form a new plant by itself. This floating water plant is a tropical species and if placed in a fish tank, it survives well with moderate lighting.

Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Pistia stratiotes has soft, large leaves which are light green in colour. The leaves have a velvety texture and they grouped together to form a beautiful rosette. Pistia stratiotes has fine trailing roots which grow below the surface of the water. Having this plant in the aquarium benefits the fishes as it provides plenty of hiding places for them.

The above are some common floating water plants you can consider using in your aquarium. Besides using these plants to enhance your aquarium décor, having them in your aquarium has benefits for your fishes as well. Fortunately, these plants are not difficult to keep as they thrive well in most conditions.

Live Aquarium Plants : In an aquarium, background plants refer to those plants that are normally placed at the rear of the aquarium. These aquarium plants are usually taller plants with longer stems or leaves. They are placed at the rear of the aquarium for mainly two reasons. Firstly, they enhance the appearance of the aquarium background scene. Secondly, they help to conceal unsightly items such as filter tubes and heaters at the rear of the fish tank. Sometimes, these aquarium plants are placed at the front corners of the fish tank to the further enhance the overall appearance. Some common background plants are described below.

Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)
Cabomba caroliniana is a fine-feathered plant which is light green in colour. This aquarium plant looks stunning when planted in groups of three or more. It grows fast and lives well in bright lighting. It can grow up to a maximum height of about 50cm. Cabomba caroliniana is one of the most common species available and fairly easy to keep. An advantage of having this plant in the fish tank is that it is good for filling up spaces and hiding areas at the background. Another advantage is that it can be used to capture the eggs scattered by fishes. The majority of community fish kept in aquariums uses the egg-scattering method for their reproduction. The disadvantage with this aquarium plant is that fish loves to nibble on it and its leaves come of very easily. Thus, you will often find many leaves floating around in your planted aquarium.

Elodea (Egeria densa)
Elodea is a popular aquatic plant. It is fast-growing and can grow to a height of about 50cm. It is a suitable plant for beginners. Growing the Elodea has many benefits. Firstly, it is easy to keep as it survives well in a wide range of conditions. Secondly, it grows very thick if kept in bright lighting and thus, is an excellent plant for filling up spaces. Thirdly, it secretes substances that help to prevent algae growth. Fourthly, Elodea is known to remove great amounts of nitrates. Hence, it helps to purify the water. Lastly, a small piece of the plant can actually regenerate to become a new plant within a short period of time.

Amazon Sword (Echinodorus bleheri)
The plant derives its name ‘Amazon Sword’ from the fact that it grows in Amazon and the shape of its leaves is similar to that of the blade of a sword. This beautiful plant can greatly enhance your aquarium decor, especially when it blooms. Echinodorus bleheri lives well in moderate lighting. However, a point you need to note is that Echinodorus bleheri has large roots and thus, it needs additional fertilizers for it to grow well. Also, if you placed this plant in your aquarium, you need to ensure that the large roots of the plant do not choke out other plants.

The above are some common live aquarium background plants you can consider placing in your aquarium. These plants can certainly help to make your aquarium decor more stunning. They can help to conceal unsightly items at the rear of the fish tank and fill up the spaces. As described above, each plant has its own benefits as well.

Live aquarium plants help to enhance the beauty of your aquarium. However, you need to place the right type of plants at the foreground and the background of the aquarium to achieve better aquarium decor. Aquarium foreground plants are smaller plants that are placed toward the front and centre of your aquarium. The taller plants should be placed at the rear of the aquarium. In this way, there is no blocking of view of any plant in the aquarium and a better aquarium decor is attained. Below are some common foreground plants you can consider using for your aquarium.

Cryptocoryne (Cryptocoryne wendtii)
Cryptocoryne wendtii has long leaves which are green in colour with red-tinted areas. This aquarium plant is short and grows slowly. As it stays short over time, it can be placed in the foreground of fish tanks. It will certainly not block the view of the plants at the rear of the fish tank. Due to its low height, Cryptocoryne wedtii can also be placed in small fish tanks. It is suitable for aquariums with low lighting. With its red tints, Cryptocoryne wedtii looks attractive. When placed in the aquarium, it helps to add more colour to the aquarium decor. 

Pearl Grass (Hemianthus micranthemoides)
Hemianthus micranthemoides is a very common plant used for the foreground of an aquarium. It is light green in colour and survives well in medium lighting. A bushy plant with small fine leaves, it tends to develop side shoots in all directions after some time. Hence, pruning needs to be carried out to maintain its shape. Hemianthus micranthemoides is usually planted in small groups. The plant will grow to about 15cm tall.

Dwarf Anubias (Anubias nana)
Anubias nana has broad green leaves. When added to an aquarium, it makes the aquarium look more colourful and stunning. This plant species is easy to maintain and hence, it is suitable for use by beginners. With low lighting and average water conditions, this aquarium plant will still survive well. Anubias nana does not need to be embedded in the aquarium gravel. It can be attached to driftwood, rocks or tree roots. Anubias nana grows very slowly and can be planted in all kinds of freshwater fish tanks.

The above are some common aquarium plants that can be used as foreground plants in an aquarium. These aquarium plants are short and grow slowly. Hence, it is best to be placed them in the foreground of the fish tank. Besides, they are not difficult to maintain. You can choose these plants to enhance your aquarium decor. Good selection of plants for your aquarium makes a great difference to your aquarium decoration.

Live aquarium plants serve as a wonderful addition to an aquarium. An aquarium with live plants looks more stunning than one without. Not only do these plants help to beautify the aquarium, they also provide several benefits for the fishes.  Below is a list of benefits of having a planted aquarium.

Produce Oxygen
During the process of photosynthesis, with the presence of light, plants produce oxygen and uses up carbon dioxide. This process provides an additional supply of oxygen in the aquarium. The fishes benefit from this as it uses the additional oxygen produced.

Aid Filtration
Plants help reduce the amount of nitrates and phosphates in the water by using them as natural fertilisers. Having less content of these chemicals, the water will be cleaner. Fishes living in the aquarium will be healthier. Hence, the plants help to maintain the water quality in aquariums.

Reduce algae
Having nitrates and phosphates in water promotes algae growth. In an aquarium, as plants use these chemicals as natural fertilisers, the amount of these chemicals in the water will be reduced. As a result, algae growth will be less. Aquarium plants also prevent light from reaching on gravel surfaces and this would prevent algae from forming.

Reduce ammonia
Plants utilize ammonia from the fishes’ waste products. If there is a high content of ammonia present in the fish tank, the water will suffer from pollution. Hence, the plants help to keep the water clean by reducing the content of ammonia in the water.

Aid Spawning
Aquarium plant leaves help in many ways for fish to spawn. Fishes choose large aquarium plant leaves as spawning sites. Aquarium plants with feathery leaves are used to catch falling eggs scattered by some fishes that spawn above. Surface plants are used by bubblenesters to help anchor their nests.

Protect Small Fishes
Sometimes, plants help small fishes to escape from larger fishes which prey on them in the aquarium. Small fishes make use of plant leaves to hide themselves when a large fish wants to eat them. Large leaves, in particular, can serve as a good hiding place. This tends to happen in a densely planted aquarium.

Food Source for Fish
Some fishes feed on plants. If there are aquarium plants available, these fishes will feed on them. As such, live aquarium plants can serve as a food source for the fishes and help them to survive.

The above are some of the benefits of having plants in your aquarium. As you can see, they help your fishes in many ways. Most importantly, they help to maintain a natural, biological balance in your aquarium and contribute to the survival of the fishes as well. Furthermore, your aquarium will become more beautiful with the addition of plants.