As the name implies, they take root that can take excessive control of the substrate. It is advisable to plan its location early, in the first month when the aquarium is assembled. Otherwise, it will be difficult to remove them without damaging them, as they will take root to the substrate robustly.
Some plants, such as Java Fern and Dwarf Anubias, develop creeping rhizomes with tiny roots. If you tie the plants to rocks or trunks, those small roots will allow them to cling naturally. It is positive because because they are not buried in gravel or substrate, excavator fish will not dig them up.
Traders usually prepare these plants in small pots, open plot for root growth. These pots must be buried so that the fish cannot access it when they remove the bottom.
Anubias nana They require dim lighting . They are bottom plants, although they can grow quite a bit. They can be tied to logs or rocks with nylon thread. Do it very carefully, or it could hurt and even cut the rhizomes of the plant.
Cryptocoryne wendtii Depending on the species, the width and color of the leaves vary. They are easily controllable because they grow slowly, although they usually expand throughout the aquarium. They share this feature with the Vallisnerias. They develop better in soft waters. Moderate lighting is more than enough. For ideal growth, cut the bushes daily.
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Echinodorus paniculatus It grows easily to large size. Its roots rapidly expand throughout the bottom of the aquarium. It is advisable to have one or two depending on the size of the aquarium, as the main plant, preferably on the back. Soft water is ideal lighting should be intense.
Echinodorus tenellus The Pygmy Amazon Sword is ideal for decorating the substrate, especially in the previous section of the aquarium. Develop shoots. It is maintained well with good lighting in soft waters. Echinodorus tenellus withstand temperature changes, even low temperatures up to 16° C. If you have bottom fish like Ancistrus, avoid covering the bottom with plants, including some semi-flat rock.
Microsorium pteropus Its bushy roots do not expand but stick to rocks. It grows slowly and constantly with moderate lighting . Leaves grow longer in hard water. It adapts to brackish water and can be used in aquariums with species of this habitat, such as Monodactylus or Scatophagus.
Vallisneria spiralis She's a terrible invader of the aquarium. It should be checked periodically, especially its shoots that expand throughout the fish tank. Hard water and intense lighting is ideal for your growth. Its leaves quickly rise. This plant also adapts to brackish water.
They are very important for fish that need areas of shade and solitude. They are excellent sheltering sites for young fry and growing offspring. Especially in community aquariums, where they must hide from larger fish. They are resistant and do not require too much care. Good lighting, regular water changes and smooth movement of water on its surface will be enough for them to grow smoothly. Most grow without being attached to a fixed point.
Some, such as crystal grass (Riccia fluitans), stick to rocks or trunks, even grow and bloom out of the water. Others, such as the Indian fern (Ceratopteris thalictroides), can grow in any condition, planted in the substrate, floating or out of the water.
Many breeders recommend the Lema spp. variety for its fierce growth. Personally, I suggest you never include it in your aquarium, as it can cause chaos. Blocks filters and adheres to networks. Even when you insert your hands into the fish tank it will stick to your skin.
Salvinia auriculata Its leaves are round and have hairs that generate very useful covers. They prefer bright light and preferably hardwaters. They should not be illuminated from very close proximity as they are damaged in a short time.
Pistia stratiotes Water lettuce has very wide leaves with voluminous ribs. It has hanging roots that, combined with some trunk at the bottom of the aquarium, give the aquarium a very natural look. They also shelter scary fish or fry.
The safest thing is to buy already sprouted tubers to introduce into the aquarium. The most frequent tuber plants belong to the genus of Aponogeton. They are very common and normally bloom in a single season.
They grow for 8 to 9 months. After this period, the growth of its leaves begins, which sometimes reach 50 centimeters in length. At this stage, it can be transferred to colder waters for a couple of months. After those two months they must be returned to the warmest aquarium. They will bloom in the aquarium. The species Nymphaea consists of a rosette of green or red leaves, continuous of lily leaves (floating). If you do not want it to grow to the surface, you can still leave only the rosette at the base.
Aponogeton rigidiflorius Its long leaves vary by species. It usually grows very well in soft waters with low lighting. If the aquarium is not well cleaned your tubers will rot. The algae grow on their leaves. Do not expose directly to the sun. Keep the aquarium water well filtered.
Barclaya longifolia It has very long spear-shaped leaves, can be found in green or red. It blooms in the aquarium when it has good lighting, it also gives seeds. It is one of the most sought after plants. It is ideal for snails.
The most suffering and versatile plants for aquariums are available in shops in the form of wedges. The wank is the top of the plant without the root. Species of green leaves are given more easily than those of red leaves, although combined can achieve a beautiful natural decoration for the fish tank.
They should be planted in such a way that they do not interfere with each other, that is, they do not prevent the passage of light. Leaves that do not receive light will turn brown, die and rot quickly. The stems are usually very sensitive, so it is not advisable to plant them in bundles.
Some can be planted out of the water, then the wedges will be introduced into the aquarium. At first they will lose the leaves, but the stems will sprout in about a month. When we have these new wedges, we can dispose of the original stems.
Plants that have too thin leaves, such as the Green Cabomba, require an aquarium with excellent water filtration. Otherwise, the leaves will be saturated by excessive suspended particles.
Bacopa caroliniana This plant grows quite easily, provided the lighting is very intense. The stems have pairs of well-fleshy leaves. It is interesting that you plant some Bacopas in tall fish tanks, preferably on the bottom wall, as they will rise quite a bit and give a feeling of depth in your aquarium. They will also give immediate shelter to surface fish.
Nomaphila stricta This plant has thin, elongated leaves. It is very suitable for placing in aquariums where you have females ready to spawn. Its long leaves are suitable for housing the eggs of fish. They also serve as a hiding place for nervous fish, and even, they are widely accepted as food. They require hard water aquariums and intense lighting.
Rotala macandra The colour of the Rotala is quite dark, between earthy red and brown. Take care of its leaves, as they are very subtle and fragile. It should be handled very smoothly and not exposed to direct currents of filters or pumps. To maintain its intense coloring requires a lot of illumination, otherwise it will gradually darken.
© Adrián Blanco 2005/2006 — No full or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author.
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