The presence of aquarium plants is an important element in the design of any aquarium, giving it a unique and colorful look. In addition, their presence is extremely beneficial for water quality.
Aquarium plants bring variety to the life of fish. Imagine if you lived in an apartment, albeit large, but with bare walls. Funny? Not good. So the fish feel the same way 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.
Moss
This department of plants is considered to be quite unpretentious for cultivation in an aquarium. The types of aquarium plants that are mosses are distinguished by a number of characteristic features.
Moss doesn't need soil to survive. 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 the aquarium, the optimum temperature is 20-25 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures are not fatal to the moss, but it will gradually affect the dynamicsgrowth and may cause this aquarium plant to rot.
Mosses are extremely uncomfortable in soft water. The best solution for these plants will be hard water or water of medium hardness.
Let's consider the most common types of aquarium plants related to mosses.
Moss "Ricardia"
This type of moss is relatively new. The species was discovered already in the 2000s and quickly won a place in the collections of aquarium plant lovers. The name of this species is often "Coral Pellia".
East Asia, Taiwan is considered the birthplace of this plant. This species is quite rare, but it will not be difficult to find it in stores.
The appearance of the plant cannot but arouse 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 rotting of the lower shoots, it still requires periodic shearing.
Moss "Ricardia" is an extremely curious object for aquarium fish. The inhabitants of the aquarium can both eat moss and harm it with their movements.
A piece of stone, a tree branch or an artificial decoration will serve as a good anchor for this type of moss. In order to achieve attachment of the plant on the area intended for it, it is necessary to securely fix it. For these purposes, tools such as a pin,fishing line or mesh.
Moss "Phoenix" ("Fontanus")
The photo of an aquarium plant with the name "Phoenix", given above, explains the second name - "Fontanus". The plant really looks like a fountain, scattering its spray around it.
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 grow up to three centimeters in height and form a dense 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.
Riccia floating
The main advantage of this species is its unpretentiousness, vitality and high growth rates. Within a few weeks, this moss can cover 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, a variety of structures are used, such as foam contours or floating rings. Also, these funds will help prevent the abundant growth of moss.
As with any other moss, with abundant light, this plant will significantly increase the growth of green mass. If necessary, remove the extra shoots of this plant.
Javan moss
This name and photo of an aquarium plant with and without a description is well known to all lovers of aquarium phytodesign. Why? Java moss is the most common plant in the aquariums of both domestic and foreign collectors.
Such a reputation for the plant is not accidental. The fact is that it has a number of advantages over other mosses.
Javan moss is able to show good growth in almost any light supply and day length.
The temperature range of this plant is also quite wide. This moss will thrive in both 16-degree water and 30-degree Celsius water.
The main disadvantage of this moss is its poor attachment to the area intended for it. It is really possible to fix it, but after a while it will definitely give additional shoots and quickly begin to spread in all directions. It is for these reasons that experienced hobbyists place this plant in the background of their aquariums.
Ferns
The next department of plants that I would like to talk about looks very much like a fern. That is why the squad got its name.
Aquarium ferns take root well if a number of small conditions are met. The content of aquarium plants in this department is reduced to a twelve-hour daylight hours and soil no more than six centimeters thick.
With skillful seating, ferns can create realjungle in aquariums of fans of underwater gardens. These plants harmonize perfectly 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.
Indian water fern
The birthplace of this species is East Asia and the coast 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 large size, the back wall of the aquarium will be the best location for this plant.
To the temperature conditions the plant is quite unpretentious. This fern will be comfortable at a water temperature of 22-26 degrees. May exist at lower temperatures, but will significantly slow down its growth.
Water for this species should be settled, slightly acidic or neutral.
The most comfortable fern will feel in strong light.
Marcilia
Another representative of the fern department, reproducing by spores. Outwardly, the plant vaguely resembles parsley. The stem of this fern also plays the role of a root. 'Marcilia' leaves 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 plantwill feel most comfortable.
The plant is demanding on the purity of water. It is highly recommended to replace the water in the tank with a new one at least once a week.
Also, one should not forget that Marsilia needs a twelve-hour daylight hours for normal development.
Pterygoid fern
Very tenacious plant, distributed mainly in Southeast Asia. Outwardly, this 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 optimal acidity of water is from 5 to 8 pH.
Phillipins Fern (Thai)
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 amphibious plant. Planting is recommended in large aquariums.
The content of the fern is to maintain the acidity at 5-8 pH and the water temperature from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Ceratopteris
The areola of distribution of this plant with a complex name is found in the tropics and subtropics.
The plant is characterized by leaves in the form of a rosette, pinnate with a dissection. The stem of the plant does not reach large sizes. Adventitious roots are the basis of the plant's root system.
Optimal temperature forthe breeding of this type of plant is considered to be 20-30 degrees Celsius.
Flowering plants in the aquarium
Let's talk about the popularity of algae. The most widespread and represented by the largest number of species plant division for the aquarium. A distinctive feature of the department is the presence of flowers in plants.
Photos of aquarium plants with names and care instructions can be found below.
Hidrilla whorled
A plant with a well-developed root system capable of producing many additional shoots. The plant got its name for the characteristic whorls that run along the stem. In whorls, narrow flat leaves extend from the stem, usually 3 or 4.
For intensive growth, this unpretentious plant only needs to periodically renew the water and maintain the water temperature at 25 degrees. Experienced lovers of underwater gardens recommend shortening the top of the plant to achieve ornate crown.
Cryptocoryne Blass
This aquarium plant has oblong leaves up to fifteen centimeters long. Leaf color changes from olive to brown as the plant grows.
The ideal soil for this plant is granular sand. Lighting required is not intense, moderate.
Over time, the plant will begin to produce small shoots, which should not be taken away until a few leaves and the rudiments of the root system have formed there.
Bconclusion
So, the article discusses the most common aquarium plants, description and application of most of them. Of course, the variety of plants cultivated in aquariums is much wider.
Recommendations for keeping aquarium plants are largely similar: periodically change the water and monitor the lighting.
