Live
plants can add beauty to any aquarium and are good for the fish as well. Fish
feel more secure when there are plants to hide in. Some fish will spawn among
plants, and vegetarian species will eat plants.
Because you are not likely to
want your aquarium plants eaten, you will either have to avoid vegetarian
species or use plastic plants instead.
Many species of live plants will do well in an aquarium, but some do better than others depending on the water chemistry and the amount of light.
Do
not use house-plants in an aquarium. They will not last long and will
contribute to water quality problems as they begin to decay.
Unfortunately,
some dealers are not familiar enough with live plants to always know whether
the plants they carry are truly aquatic species or not. A good book on aquarium
plants is very helpful in this regard and will also provide extensive
information on the care and maintenance of plants.
Live
plants compete with algae for nutrients in the water, and therefore limit their
growth. Many hobbyists think algae are unattractive, but they are a natural
part of any aquatic ecosystem and can provide food for some species of fish.
