Aquarium Plants: Aquarium plants are a great way to enhance the beauty and create a more natural and healthy environment. They provide oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, help with nutrient absorption, and can even reduce algae growth by competing for nutrients.
Importance of Aquarium Plants
- Aquarium plants create a natural, beautiful, and serene environment in the aquarium.
- They provide food for fishes. Herbivorous fishes directly eat the plants. Other fish eat micro-organisms and algae that grow on plant surfaces.
- They provide shelter, shade and hiding place for smaller or shy fishes.
- Aquarium plants serve as spawning site for certain fish species.
- Plants and fishes have symbiotic relationship. The fish waste is used as an excellent fertilizer for plants. Plants absorb excess nutrients, removing toxins like nitrates and CO2.
- Help in filtering the water by absorbing harmful chemicals and excess nutrients, improving water clarity.
- They produce oxygen through photosynthesis, supporting a healthy environment for fish
- Some plants reduce the pH, creating suitable conditions for species like tetra and angelfish etc.
- Compete with algae for nutrients, helping to reduce algae growth.
- Promote a more stable and balanced ecosystem for fish and plants.
Types of Aquarium plants
1. Floating plants: Plants have their foliage (leaves) above the surface of water with roots hanging free. Ex. Eicchornia, Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum), Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), Spirodela, Duckweed (Lemna minor) , Azolla , Wolffia, Salvinia, Riccia sp.
2. Emergent plants: Plants having their leaves and flowers above the water surface but rooted in the bottom. Ex. Nymphaea, Nelumbo, Nymphoides.
3. Submerged plants: Leaves are submerged in the water, may or may not be rooted. Ex. Hydrilla, Ceratophylum, Myriophylum, Ottelia, Bacopa, Ludwigia, Saggitaria, Aponogeton, Cabomba , Limnophila, Ceratopteris. Rooted plants : Hydrilla, Najas, Ottelia, Vallisneria, Potomogeton, Lagarosiphon, Chara, Nitella. Devoid of roots : Ceratophyllum, Utricularia.
4. Marginal plants: They are growing in the shallow areas of the water body (near shore). Ex. Typha, Cyperus, Ipomea, Eleocharis, Cryptocoryne, Echinodorus.
Important Aquarium Plants
1.Lemna minor : Commonly called as duck weed. Minute (tiny) free floating aquatic weed. The roots are minute. It is a good source of feed for vegetarian fish and ducks. It is capable of purifying waste water. It spreads spontaneously at an amazing speed. It will cover the entire surface of the tank if unchecked.
2. Hydrilla sp. : Submerged weed. It grows under water. But some of their leaves are coming out of water. Usually they are anchored to the hydrosoil. However, it may get completely detached from hydrosoil and continue to grow as free floating near the water surface. The stalks are upto 3 m long. It bears whorls of 2-9 straight dark green leaves at short intervals. The leaves are 2 cm long, and 0.3 cm wide. It is easy to grow either it’s rooted or free floating form provided it is given good light.
3. Najas minor : Submerged aquatic plant. Plants are 20-30 cm long. Stems are thin. Narrow leaves of 1-2 cm in length. The leaves are green in colour. Sickle-shaped, 6-10 pairs of teeth. It lives in shallow, stagnant waters. The Najas is easy to grow. It requires good light and clear water. It can thrive and grow as free floating.
4. Marsilia quadrifolia : Common Name : Four leaved water clover, clover fern Family : Marsiliaceae Shoreline weeds. Found in shallow waters. It has thin rhizoids anchored at the bottom. It has long filamentous stems each ends with a cluster of four oval shaped leaves.
5. Vallisneria sp. : Family : Hydrocharitaceae Common Name : Tape-grass, eel grass, ribbon grass. Submerged aquatic plant. It anchors to the hydrosoil. It is a most common aquarium plant. They need bright light, but grow slowly in dim light. Ribbon like green leaved tall plant. The leaves are 30-80 cm long and 0.4 – 0.8 cm broad.
6. Ipomoea aquatic : Common Name : Water spinach It is a common aquatic plant in India. This is used for human consumption. Found in shallow waters. It grows in shore, when water is filled in that area it detaches and become free floating. Hollow stems with white spongy floats and rooting at nodes. Leaves are elliptic or ovate-oblong. Flowers are white or pink.
7. Ceratophyllum (Horn wort) : Family : Ceratophyllaceae Submerged, rootless, free swimming plants. Consist of long stems bearing side branches. Leaves are short, thin spikes, sharp and harsh to touch. Darkish green colour leaves. Stems bear whorls of at most 10 leaves growing at a slightly upward angle. Each leaf with 2-4 leaflets, forked and spiky reminiscent of a pair of horns.
8. Nymphaea sp. (water lily) : Family : Nymphaeaceae It has roundish or oval shaped leaves floating at the water surface. Bears long stems. Attached to bottom mud rhizoid roots. Flowers are very large. White or coloured. They have a delicate scent and float at the surface (N.nouchali). N. stellata is another lily. The leaves are submerged with serrated edges. Smaller than N.nouchali. It bears small light blue flowers, purple or pink.
9. Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) : Floating plant has a rosette of large round leaves and swollen stalks that give the plants its buoyancy. It has hanging roots. Most abundantly growing water plant. The plant can multiple at a phenomenal rate of 15% surface area per day.
10. Cabomba sp. : Family : Nympheaceae Submerged plant. Plant has stems upto 150-200 cm long. Fan shaped leaves grow opposite each other at regular intervals. Leaves are beautiful, light green. It grows easily. Good light is required. It is easy to propagate by top cuttings.
11. Echinodorus sp. : Family : Alismataceae Submerged plant. Commonly called Amazon sword plant. The leaves are arranged in a rosette growing out of rhizome. The leaves vary in shape. They are elongated lance-shaped, oval shaped (or) heart shaped. The leaves are 20-40 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. Light green colour.
12. Salvinia : Family : Salvinaceae Stalk lies horizontally just below the surface and bears whorls of three leaves. Two of which float on the surface. They are oval shaped. The third leaf hangs down freely in the water (which is transformed into feathery branch similar to little roots hanging below the water). The surface of the leaf is rough with short stiff bristles.
13. Anubias barteri (Anubias) : Another low-maintenance plant that grows slowly. It is often attached to rocks or driftwood and has broad, dark green leaves.
Other important Aquarium plants and their common names
- Aponogeton fenestralis – Lace plant
- Pistia sp. – Water lettuce
- Ceratopteris thalictroides – Indian fern (or) water sprite
- Crypotocoryne willisini – Hidden club
- Limnophila sessiliflora – Ambulia
- Myriophyllum – Milfoil
- Sagittaria sagitaefolia – Arrow weed
- Eleocharis acicularis – Hair grass or needle grass
Tips for Caring for Aquarium Plants:
- Make sure plants are getting the right amount of light for their specific needs. Too little or too much can hinder their growth.
- Use liquid or substrate fertilizers to provide the necessary nutrients, especially for plants with high nutrient demands.
- Some plants require nutrient-rich substrates, while others can thrive on rocks or driftwood.
- Regularly check water parameters (pH, hardness, and temperature) to ensure they match the needs of plants.
Also Read: Water Quality Management in Aquarium Accessories used in Aquarium Freshwater and Marine ornamental fishes: Commercially important Exotic and Endemic species of Aquarium fishes
In conclusion, aquarium plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but play a vital role in maintaining a balanced, healthy environment for both fish and plants. They provide food, shelter, and filtration while also helping to regulate the water chemistry.
