Goldfish are omnivorous fish and thus, consuming both plant- and animal-based diets is key to their well-being. Furthermore, they consume bits and pieces found within the tank like algae or waste produced from fellow goldfish as food sources.
Therefore, aquatic plants must be strong enough to withstand the fishes’ attentions; delicate frondy plants or floating ones won’t last.
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Anubias
Anubias barteri and its various cultivars make an excellent addition to your aquarium. Native to west Africa, these aquatic plants come in an assortment of shapes, colors and leaf sizes to meet all of your aquatic needs.
These fish species are well known for being extremely hardy and easy to care for in an aquarium environment. Not only are they visually appealing, but their waste absorbs chlorine and other pollutants found in your water that might otherwise pollute its clarity.
Growing an aquatic plant such as an anemone may be more challenging, but they’ll endure even harshest water conditions. Anemones do best when attached to something like driftwood or rocks and don’t require too much light for growth.
Daffodils are one of the easiest plants to propagate – their roots form a rhizome which can be tied or glued onto rocks and decor, or used with superglue that contains cyanoacrylate for greater adhesion on wet surfaces.
Java Fern
Java Ferns are slow-growing plants that thrive under low nutrient conditions, making them low maintenance additions to any tank environment. They can withstand light levels up to 400 Lux without additional feeding or CO2 injection.
An aquarium-grown Java Fern can make an eye-catching centerpiece with its lush leathery green leaves and sturdy growth form. However, its intensity of coloration can differ significantly depending on which plant it’s placed alongside.
If you plan to introduce a Java Fern into your tank, be sure to quarantine it first in order to ensure it is free from pests or diseases that could harm its inhabitants.
Java Ferns often experience “melt”, wherein too much light or algae in their tank cause its leaves to discolor and look disorganized, leading to discolored and distended leaves that look discolored and distended. Treatment involves cutting away affected leaves as well as improving lighting and algae conditions until recovery has taken place.
Marimo Moss Ball
Marimo Moss Balls make excellent conversation pieces in any aquarium and require minimal care and maintenance, like other low-light species such as Java Fern or Moss, making them an easy addition to take care of without risk of eating by goldfish.
Marimo Moss Balls can be found around the world in cold lakes such as Myvatn in Iceland and Akan in Japan; however, due to pollution and climate change they have become endangered species.
These beautiful plants are relatively straightforward to care for and can be kept in any container, such as glass bowls and bottles. To achieve optimal care, water should remain at room temperature while changes should occur regularly so as to prevent brown moss balls.
An effective way to ensure your moss balls remain round is to clean them regularly by gently squishing them in clean water, breaking up any accumulated dirt particles while helping maintain vibrant hues of green. This should prevent them from becoming dull or faded over time.
Fanwort
If you enjoy keeping live plants in your goldfish tank, there are various varieties to select. Not only do these plants add natural aesthetic to your aquarium; they can also absorb nitrates produced by fish waste to help ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for both you and your goldfish.
Some plants require substrate while others are more tolerant of being uprooted by unwitting goldfish. A few even don’t need anything at all as long as they’re attached to driftwood or rocks for support.
Anubias is an easy choice to keep in your aquarium as it doesn’t require substrate and requires little attention from you due to its large leaves and thick rhizomes that need no special attention from you. Anubias provides sufficient light without getting eaten up by goldfish! It makes an ideal starter plant when starting out.
Java fern is another plant not often eaten by goldfish. With sturdy leaves that don’t tend to attract slimier varieties, and growing better in hard water environments than many other plants, it makes an unlikely food source.