![]() Also, unlike fish, in which there are a number of common names for each fish, aquatic plants are pretty much referred to by their scientific name. In discussing the specific plants that will make good food for your fish, I’m going to mention only the ones that you will probably find at your local fish store. Also, it’s a good idea to buy your plants from them, because you will get ones that have been acclimated to local water conditions. Ask what light they recommend for growing plants. You need to have either two tubes or more intense light, such as that provided by compact fluorescents or T5 fluorescents.įind the best local fish store for plants - the one with plants kept properly in well-lit aquariums, in the right substrate, with filters in the aquariums. ![]() A single fluorescent tube in an aquarium reflector is not enough to grow aquatic plants. In addition to the right substrate, the plants need to receive enough light and the right kind of light. ![]() These provide most of the nutrients plants require. They really need the special substrates now available for aquatic plants. Plain old aquarium gravel is not sufficient for plants. To start with, the plants need a good substrate. That’s fine, because with very simple equipment, you can grow plenty of lovely plants that your fish will enjoy eating. Even though I am a loyal member of the Aquatic Gardeners Association, I realize that most hobbyists may not want to mess around with expensive lighting, carbon dioxide injection and all kinds of additives. Without going into a detailed dissertation on how to grow live aquatic plants, I’m going to suggest a few simple ideas. The plants should be fast-growing yet not so fast that they take over the aquarium if the fish can’t keep up with this growth. They need to be sturdy enough that they won’t fall apart because of the attention of the fish, and yet be edible and soft enough to provide food for the fish. The goal is to try and achieve a balance between the plants growing and the fish munching on them. They also have to grow fast enough to keep up with, or ahead of, the efforts of your fish to nibble them down. They have to look good in the aquarium even when the fish have been nibbling on them. Criteria for the Plantsįirst off, the aquatic plants we are looking for have to be attractive. These plants will grow fast enough and be palatable to your fish so that they can nibble on them for a source of nourishment. This article is about live aquatic plants for your aquarium that will serve as food for your fish. Because we think of plants as important aquascaping elements, we don’t want our fish eating them-but perhaps we need to rethink the concept.
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