Avoid non-aquatic plants, fishkeepers warned

Fishkeepers should check any plants they buy to ensure they are proper aquatic varieties.

Fishkeepers have been advised to ensure they only introduce proper aquatic plants into their aquariums.

Practical Fishkeeping explained some aquatic shops sell non-aquatic plants and people can often make the mistake of adding these to their fish tank. The plants usually feature a wide range of leaf forms and textures, which makes them attractive to enthusiasts who are unaware they are not designed to live underwater.

Purchasing plants can be confusing because many aquatic plants are grown out of water. They usually flower during the dry season and nurseries will take them out of the water at this time to allow them to soak up more light and CO2. This also reduces the chances of them being attacked by algae or aquatic snails.

"Nurseries will grow plants without any soil, instead just having their roots in water, known as hydroponics. This way only fertilisers are added to the water and the plant has everything it needs," the website explained.

Only floating varieties like Water hyacinth and Water lettuce are always in the water and in the wild plants often live on the water's edge, with just their roots dipping into the water or growing down into the moist soil.

These conditions need to be replicated in an aquarium if people want their plants to thrive and they will need lots of light and CO2, as well as a steady supply of fertilisers.

Offering advice on how to avoid accidentally purchasing house plants instead of specialist species, Practical Fishkeeping explained non-aquatic varieties will have shiny or waxy-feeling leaves, which usually taper to a sharp point.

Any plants with a variegated leaf should also be avoided, while aquatic plants will droop when taken out of the water. House plants will stand up in their pot.

Some non-aquatic plants the website recommended avoiding include Hemigraphis colorata, Dracaena godseffiana, Chlorophytum bichetti and Trichomanes javanicum.

Choosing the right plants can be very beneficial. As well as giving fish places to hide, Swell UK's Matt Clarke explained in a Practical Fishkeeping article that they can encourage livebearing fish to breed.

Posted by Laura Hendley
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Wednesday, 8 Feb 2012, 4:42pm