Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments (saltwater or freshwater). They are also referred to as hydrophytes or macrophytes to distinguish them from algae and other microphytes. A macrophyte is a plant that grows in or near water and is either emergent, submergent, or floating.Many small aquatic animals use plants such as duckweed for a home, or for protection from predators. Some other familiar examples of aquatic plants might include floating heart, water lily, lotus, and water hyacinth.Submerged Aquatic Weeds. Submerged plants are rooted in the pond bottom and grow up through the water column,Emergents Aquatic Weeds,Free Floating Aquatic Weeds.
Live plants create natural beauty in an aquarium, but they also promote a balanced ecosystem and provide many benefits to your fish including:
Producing oxygen and consuming CO2 during the day, which benefits fish, helps with filtration and stabilizes pH.
Preventing algae growth by removing nitrate and phosphate from the water.
Keeping your fish healthy and colorful by providing them with valuable cover and habitat. This lowers stress and boosts their immune systems, and when fish know they have refuge nearby, they tend to stay out in the open where you can see them.
Creating a source of food for fish that feed on the natural microbes that colonize plant leaves as well as others which feed directly on the plants themselves.
Producing spawning sites for many fish species as well as valuable refuge for newly hatched fry.
Whether you just want to add a few plants for accent or set up a dedicated aquatic garden, understanding the basic needs of aquatic plants will help maximize your success and enjoyment with your aquarium. Aquarium plants need the following to thrive:
Clean, moderately soft water
Full spectrum light
Nutrients
Suitable substrate (for rooted plants)