Residential Palace Creating Your Perfect Home
No aquarium is truly complete without some plants. Plants provide cover for your guppies and create an aesthetic environment. They also help keep the water quality up by absorbing ammonia from fish waste, decaying plant matter, and uneaten food. A tank with no plants can be a hazard because it will not support life (unless you’ve added chemicals to kill plant matter and bacteria).
The best plants for a guppy tank are those that grow quickly and have a tendency to spread. They should also be hardy to survive with minimal maintenance and non-toxic to the fish. Below is recommended list of plants for guppies:
Anacharis
Anacharis is a good choice because it does well with moderate light and has plenty of leafy structures for the guppies to hide. It can be planted in gravel or kept in a mesh sack filled with tank decorations.
Some types of anacharis contain toxins, so if you are uncertain about which kind your store is using, ask them or look it up online to be sure. One should use this type with moderate light.
Dwarf Water Lettuce
Dwarf water lettuce is another plant that does well in low light and spreads quickly, making it ideal for a planted tank. It can also be used as a floating plant on the surface of the water if you prefer. The leaves are very delicate but provide hiding spaces for fish. This plant needs to be anchored to something since it will float away if not tied down.
Ludwigia (split-leaf)
This type of Ludwigia is also called a “pigmy chain” because the leaves are shaped like links in a chain. It grows well with moderate light and spreads quickly. Some types of Ludwigia are toxic, so it is best to look them up before adding them to your guppy tank.
Hygrophila polysperma
This plant grows well in low light and can handle a moderate amount of fertilization. The leaves grow thick enough that some guppies may nibble on the stems, but they won’t be able to destroy it.
Water Sprite
Water sprite is a fast grower that also benefits from fertilizers. It does well in bright light but will tolerate low light levels as well. The leaves are sturdy enough for some guppies to hide under them without damaging the plant but not thick enough to support bigger fish. This plant does great in a floating or partially covered position.
Java Fern
Java fern is another low light plant that spreads quickly and can take high levels of fertilization. It does well anchored to rocks, driftwood, and even the substrate (if it’s tank appropriate). This may be one of the few plants that can thrive under an LED.
Guppy grass
This plant looks a lot like the one you may have in your goldfish tank, but it is ideal for a guppy tank because it can handle low light and fertilization. It also overgrows and has long stems that make good hiding places for young fish. However, this plant can be hard to find since it’s not a common tank plant.
Vallisneria (Italian Val)
This plant is usually sold as an Italian Val, but it can also go by other names like ‘curly leaf’ or ‘Tiger Val’. It grows quickly and looks good with moderate to bright light. It works well in the substrate or gravel; if it has to be anchored, the stems are strong enough to hold plants that will support bigger fish.
Water Wisteria
Water wisteria is another fast-growing plant that requires moderate light for optimal growth. The leaves may seem delicate, but they are sturdy enough for guppies to hide under them without damaging the plant. This variety also has pretty white flowers.
Java Moss
Java Moss is one of the tops recommended plants for guppies. If you’re looking for something low light, non-toxic, and easy to maintain, Java moss may be the plant for you. It spreads quickly in all types of lighting conditions and can handle high levels of fertilization. You may find your guppies nibbling on the leaves, but this plant is tough enough to withstand their tiny teeth.
Alternanthera (red bar sword)
This plant grows quickly and looks good with moderate or bright light. The leaves are sturdy enough for small guppies but not so thick that big fish will try to hide in them. Alternanthera reineckii can grow very long, but it’s a good idea to trim the stems, so they don’t block out too much light.
Cabomba Caroliniana
This plant grows well in low light and can handle moderate levels of fertilization. It has sword-like leaves that guppies will sometimes nibble on, which sends off a new shoot from the stem. This plant can take over a tank if not trimmed, so it’s best to plant it in the substrate where it will grow slowly.
Najas Minor
This aquatic plant has feather-like leaves and looks great with low light and moderate fertilization. It does well anchored to rocks or driftwood and spreads quickly in the substrate. However, this plant can be hard to find since it’s not a common tank plant.
Bacopa Caroliniana
This plant is usually sold as Bacopa monnieri, but it can also go by other names like ‘water thyme’ or ‘Carolina water spangles’. It grows quickly and looks good with low light and moderate to high fertilization. It also has the added benefit of being hardy if it’s pruned or eaten by fish.
Dwarf Sagittaria
This plant grows with low light and can handle a lot of fertilization. The leaves are sturdy enough for small guppies but not so thick that big fish will try to hide in them. Dwarf Sagittaria tends to grow at the surface, so be sure your tank isn’t too shallow.
Conclusion
There you have it. When you choose plants for guppies, remember that they need plants to hide in. That’s why java moss is so popular; not only does it thrive under low light, it also looks good without needing any specific care. Be careful of plants like water wisteria, which can grow very rapidly if you keep the lighting high and fertilization moderate to high as well.
