FAQ: Plants for fish

Amazon swords feed heavily through the roots, so yellowing leaves often mean the substrate is short of nutrients, especially iron. Push a root tab in near the roots and remove old yellow leaves so the plant puts energy into new growth.

Rotting or dying plants release organic matter that raises ammonia and nitrate and feeds algae. That is why dead leaves and plants should be removed regularly, especially large decaying clumps.

Trim stem plants with sharp scissors just above a pair of leaves, and the cut tops can be replanted. Regular trimming encourages branching, so the plants grow denser and the lower parts are not left in the shade.

Fast stem plants often need trimming every week or two, while slow growers only need old or algae-covered leaves removed now and then. It is better to trim little and often than to let plants cover the surface.

Anubias and Java fern can be propagated by cutting the rhizome with a sharp knife into pieces with a few leaves each. Java fern also grows plantlets on its leaves, which can be separated once they have their own roots.

Many rosette plants such as vallisneria, sagittaria or cryptocorynes send out runners that grow into new plants. Once a runner has a few leaves and roots, it can be cut off and replanted elsewhere.

Amazon swords often grow a long flower stalk on which new plantlets form. Once they grow roots they can be separated and planted, and if you do not need new plants, cut the stalk off so the plant does not waste energy.

Trim carpeting plants short and evenly with curved scissors so the carpet stays dense and does not lift off the substrate. Collect the clippings carefully from the water, otherwise they float around, rot or root elsewhere.

Yes, many aquarists share cuttings. Before moving them, check them for snails and algae, rinse them and, if possible, keep them apart for a few days so no pathogens travel with the plants.

Cut yellow, algae-covered or decaying leaves off at the base with scissors, without pulling up the whole plant. Do not leave dead leaves in the tank, because as they rot they pollute the water and encourage algae.

An old stem plant can be rejuvenated by cutting off the healthy tops, replanting them and throwing away the bare lower stems. Rosette plants are refreshed by removing old leaves and separating runners, and depleted substrate can get root tabs.

Some aquarium plants, such as anubias, Amazon swords, aponogeton or tiger lotus, can flower, often raising their blooms above the water surface. Flowering usually shows the plant is in good conditions.

Goldfish like to nibble and dig, so tough or bitter plants suit them: anubias, Java fern, cryptocorynes, vallisneria and hornwort. They often eat soft stem plants, and anubias are best attached to rocks.

Many cichlids dig the substrate and tear up plants, so tough epiphytes attached to rocks, such as anubias and Java fern, and sturdy vallisneria suit them. Tanks for African lake cichlids often have few plants, or artificial ones.

Plants are often eaten by goldfish, some cichlids, silver dollars, some barb species and most herbivorous fish. Before planting the tank, find out about your fishes’ diet and choose plants that stand up to them.

Most aquarium snails feed mainly on algae and decaying leaves and barely touch healthy plants. Some species, especially large apple snails, can graze soft plants, so it is worth finding out which snail you have.

Mosses, bucephalandra, dwarf anubias, Java fern and floating plants suit shrimp especially well, as biofilm builds up on them for the shrimp to graze. Dense plants give cover to moulting shrimp and young ones.

Bettas like broad-leaved plants they can rest on near the surface, such as anubias or Amazon swords, and floating plants that soften the light. Choose soft live plants or silk artificial ones so the long fins are not torn.

Fine-leaved plants and mosses suit spawning and fry, such as Java moss, cabomba, hornwort or the roots of floating plants. Eggs stay hidden in them, and fry find shelter and microorganisms to eat.

Corydoras and most loaches dig only lightly and usually do not harm well-rooted plants. For fish that dig hard, choose epiphytes on rocks and protect the roots of larger plants with small stones.