The presence of aquarium plants is an important element in the design of any aquarium, giving it uniqueness and colorfulness. In addition, their presence is extremely beneficial for water quality.
Aquarium plants add variety to the life of fish. Imagine if you lived in an apartment, although large, but with bare walls. Fun? Not really. So the fish feel the same without plants in the aquarium.
But which plants are right for your silent pets? Description of aquarium plants with names and photos can be found in this article.
Mosses
This department of plants is considered unpretentious enough for cultivation in an aquarium. The species of aquarium plants, which are mosses, are distinguished by a number of characteristic features.
Mosses do not need soil for normal life. They do not have a root system and are able to exist regardless of the presence or absence of land in the aquarium.
For the normal existence of mosses in an aquarium, the optimum temperature is 20-25 degrees Celsius. A higher temperature is not fatal to moss, but it will gradually affect growth dynamics and may lead to decay of this aquarium plant.
Mosses are extremely uncomfortable in soft water. Hard water or medium hard water will be the best solution for such plants.
Consider the most common types of aquarium plants related to mosses.
Moss "Ricardia"
This type of moss can be called relatively new. The view was discovered already in the 2000s and quickly gained a place in the collections of aquarium plant lovers. The name of this species is often "Coral Pellia."
The birthplace of this plant is considered to be East Asia, Taiwan. This species is quite rare, but it will not be difficult to find it in stores.
The appearance of the plant cannot but cause admiration. It looks like a tiny cypress, rarely grows more than three centimeters in height. The plant pleases the eye with its bright green color.
One of the main advantages of this plant is its slow growth. However, in order to avoid decay of the lower shoots, it still requires periodic cutting.
Moss "Ricardia" - an extremely curious object for aquarium fish. The inhabitants of the aquarium can both eat moss and harm it with their movements.
The mount for this type of moss is perfectly served as a piece of stone, a tree branch or artificial decoration. In order to achieve the attachment of a plant to its intended area, it is necessary to securely fix it. For these purposes, tools such as a pin, fishing line or net can be used.
Moss "Phoenix" ("Fontanus")
The photos of the aquarium plant named "Phoenix", given above, explain the second name - "Fontanus". The plant really resembles a fountain in its appearance, scattering its spray around itself.
This type of aquarium moss is the most common among those who like to green their aquarium. Brought from the waters of North America, this moss can reach three centimeters in height and form a thick green carpet in the aquarium.
It should be noted that this moss is very sensitive to water pollution. The contents of the aquarium will have to be updated at least once every seven days.
"Richie floating"
The main advantage of this species is its unpretentiousness, vitality and high growth rates. For several weeks, this moss is able to line your aquarium with a thick layer of light green vegetation up to four centimeters high. A photo of an aquarium plant clearly demonstrates this possibility.
The plant can grow both on the bottom and on the surface of the water. To fix the moss, various designs are used, such as foam circuits or floating rings. Also, these tools will help to prevent the abundant growth of moss.
As with any other moss, with abundant lighting, this plant will significantly increase the growth of green mass. If necessary, remove excess shoots of this plant.
Moss Javanese
This name and photo of an aquarium plant with and without a description is well known to all lovers of aquarium phytodesign. Why? Javanese moss is the most common plant in the aquariums of both domestic and foreign collectors.
This reputation is attached to the plant is not accidental. The fact is that it has several advantages over other mosses.
Javanese moss is able to demonstrate good growth with almost any light supply and the duration of daylight hours.
The temperature range of this plant is also quite wide. This moss will feel comfortable in sixteen degree water, and at a temperature of thirty degrees Celsius.
The main disadvantage of this moss is its poor attachment to its intended area. It is possible to fix it, but after a while it will definitely give additional shoots and will quickly begin to creep in all directions. It is for these reasons that experienced amateurs place this plant in the background of their aquariums.
Fern plants
The next section of plants, which I would like to talk about, looks very much like a fern. That is why the squad received this name.
Aquarium ferns take root perfectly if a number of small conditions are met. The maintenance of aquarium plants in this department is reduced to twelve hours of light day and soil no more than six centimeters thick.
With skillful seating, ferns can create real jungle in the aquariums of lovers of underwater gardens. These plants are in perfect harmony with a variety of underwater structures and are a favorite habitat for fish.
Photos with the name and description of aquarium plants of this species are available below.
Fern indian water
The birthplace of this species is East Asia and the shores of Australia. It is one of the most common aquarium plants.
This fern has small leaves with a slight dissection, the height of which can reach half a meter. Due to its considerable dimensions, the rear wall of the aquarium will be the best location for this plant.
By temperature conditions, the plant is quite unpretentious. This fern will be comfortable at a water temperature of 22-26 degrees. It can exist at a lower temperature, but it will significantly slow down its growth.
Water for this species must be settled, slightly acidic or neutral.
The fern will feel most comfortable in strong light.
Marsilia
Another representative of the fern division, breeding by spores. Externally, the plant remotely resembles parsley. The stalk of this fern simultaneously plays the role of the root. The leaves of "Marsilia" grow on elongated branches that separate from the stem.
Marsilia is sensitive to temperature. It is not recommended to raise the water temperature above twenty-two degrees. In water with a temperature of eighteen to twenty degrees, the plant will feel most comfortable.
The plant is demanding for clean water. We strongly recommend updating the water in the tank to a new one at least once a week.
Also, one should not forget that Marsilia needs twelve hours of light for normal development.
Wing-shaped fern
A very tenacious plant, distributed mainly in Southeast Asia. Outwardly, it is a bushy plant with a leaf width of up to twenty centimeters and a height of up to thirty-five centimeters.
The most comfortable water temperature is considered to be 20-30 degrees. The optimum acidity of the water is from 5 to 8 pH.
Fern Phillips (Thai)
An unusual fern, the distinguishing feature of which is the color of the leaves - red and dark brown. After some time, the leaves of the plant turn green. It has a wide oblong leaf up to 30 centimeters in length.
It is an amphibian plant. Planting is recommended in large aquariums.
The content of fern is to maintain acidity at 5-8 pH and water temperature from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.
"Ceratopteris"
The distribution areola of this complex-named plant is found in the tropics and subtropics.
The plant is characterized by leaves in the form of a rosette, cirrus with dissection. The stem of the plant does not reach large sizes. The adnexal roots are the basis of the root system of the plant.
The optimal temperature for breeding this type of plant is considered to be 20-30 degrees Celsius.
Flowering plants in an aquarium
Let's talk about the popularity of algae. The most widespread and represented by the largest number of species department of plants for the aquarium. A distinctive feature of the department is the presence of flowers in plants.
Photos of aquarium plants with names and recommendations for care can be found below.
"Whirlpool Hydril"
A plant with a well-developed root system, capable of producing many additional shoots. The plant got its name for the characteristic whorls along the stem. Narrow flat leaves, usually 3 or 4, extend from the stem in whorls.
For intensive growth, this unpretentious plant needs only to periodically renew water and maintain the water temperature at 25 degrees. Experienced underwater garden enthusiasts recommend shortening the crown of the plant to achieve crown floridity.
"Cryptocoryne Blass"
This aquarium plant shows oblong leaves up to fifteen centimeters long. The color of the leaf changes from olive to brown as the plant grows.
The ideal soil for this plant is granular sand. Lighting is not required, moderate.
Over time, the plant will begin to give small shoots, which should not be taken away until several leaves and rudiments of the root system are formed there.
