If you want your goldfish to remain happy and healthy, select the appropriate aquarium plants. These must be hardy enough to withstand their curious nibbling habits.
Fortunately, there are a variety of plants that can thrive in your goldfish tank. Depending on the species, some may even help maintain water quality by filtering out excess nutrients and pollutants!
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Anubias
Goldfish have a reputation for eating aquarium plants, but this is rarely true. While they will eat some softer foraging materials like wilted spinach or cucumber, goldfish tend to prefer not to nibble on live plant leaves.
There are a few varieties of Anubias that are resistant to goldfish damage and can withstand being destroyed by them. These include Anubias barteri var. nana, Anubias gilletii and Anubias gigantea.
Anubias sprout from rhizomes that can be attached to driftwood, rocks and other decorations in the tank. With time the roots will establish themselves and the plant will thrive.
Java Fern
Goldfish do not consume live plants, though they may snack on dead ones. Additionally, goldfish have been known to nibble on leaves or stems that have been chewed by the fish and left for them to digest.
Plants growing too rapidly in their tank can lead to an issue with algae buildup – this is known as plant melt.
Java fern is a widely-loved aquarium plant due to its hardiness and adaptability. It can survive in low light levels as well as various water parameters.
Java ferns don’t need a substrate to grow and can easily attach themselves to driftwood or rocks in the tank. They make great choices for planted aquariums since they don’t draw water or nutrients from the substrate like other plants do.
Hornwort
Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) is an attractive aquarium plant with the potential to expand rapidly. Plus, it’s relatively straightforward to propagate, making it a great option even for beginner aquarium keepers.
Hornwort makes an excellent addition to any fish tank, whether used as a floating plant for surface-dwelling fish or planted with mid to lower level species. Unfortunately, this species consumes nutrients quickly and may need frequent liquid fertilizers in order to maintain an optimal balance.
Hornwort is an incredibly adaptable freshwater aquarium plant, capable of adapting to most conditions. It thrives in both hard and soft water environments, as well as heavily sulfate-treated tanks.
Amazon Sword
Amazon sword (Echinodorus grisebachii) and Echinodorus amazonicus make stunning additions to your tank, not only adding beauty but also beneficial oxygen for purifying water. Not only that, but these plants require minimal care and can thrive in most freshwater aquariums.
They can thrive in partially submerged conditions and make an ideal choice for beginner aquarists who want to try their hand at growing plants. While they may not be easy to locate in stores, you can easily find them online.
This plant requires a healthy supply of nutrients in its tank, so making sure the substrate provides ample support is key for its flourishing. They also benefit from weekly water changes and regular doses of iron-rich fertilizers.
Banana Plant
If you’re concerned that your goldfish might eat them, anubias barteri is an ideal plant to add to the aquarium. This rhizome-based species can thrive in bare bottoms and requires minimal care to keep healthy.
It is hardy and tolerant of a wide range of aquarium water parameters. You can use it as either an accent plant to complement your aquascape, or add it as an eye-catching feature for added visual interest.
Banana plants grow from a single trunk that produces rhizomes – underground root runners that shoot up through the soil surface to form “baby” banana plants.
Rhizomes protect the mother plant from wind and sunburn, creating a haven for bananas in case of heavy rain. Furthermore, baby bananas help increase humidity in the middle of the plant to moderate temperature changes more effectively.
