The short answer is no, you cannot put regular plants in a fish tank. Regular plants are not adapted to the aquatic environment and will either rot, drown, or die from lack of light. However, there are many types of aquatic plants that you can use to decorate your fish tank and provide benefits for your fish.
Why Regular Plants Are Not Suitable for Fish Tanks
Regular plants, also known as terrestrial plants, are plants that grow on land and have roots that absorb water and nutrients from the soil. They also have stems and leaves that are exposed to air and sunlight. These plants are not designed to live underwater, and will face several problems if you try to put them in a fish tank.
Rotting: Regular plants will start to rot and decay when submerged in water for a long time. This is because they do not have a protective layer of cuticle that prevents water loss and absorption. The rotting process will release organic matter and toxins into the water, which can lower the water quality and harm your fish.
Drowning: Regular plants need to breathe oxygen from the air through tiny pores called stomata on their leaves. When underwater, these pores are closed and the plants cannot exchange gases. This means they will suffocate and drown, especially if the water is low in oxygen.
Lack of light: Regular plants need a lot of light to perform photosynthesis, the process of converting light energy into chemical energy. Underwater, the light intensity is reduced and the light spectrum is altered. This means that regular plants will not get enough light to produce enough energy and will eventually die.
What Are Aquatic Plants and Why Are They Better for Fish Tanks
Aquatic plants, also known as hydrophytes, are plants that grow in water or in moist soil. They have special adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive in aquatic environments. Some of these adaptations include:
Reduced or absent roots: Aquatic plants do not need roots to anchor themselves in the soil or to absorb water and nutrients. Instead, they can float on the water surface or attach themselves to rocks or other substrates. They can also absorb water and nutrients directly from the water through their leaves and stems.
Thin or flexible stems and leaves: Aquatic plants have thin or flexible stems and leaves that can bend and sway with the water currents. This helps them to avoid breaking or tearing from the water pressure or movement. It also helps them to maximize their exposure to light and gas exchange.
Aerenchyma: Aquatic plants have a special type of tissue called aerenchyma that contains large air spaces. This tissue helps them to store oxygen and carbon dioxide, which they can use for respiration and photosynthesis. It also helps them to maintain buoyancy and float on the water surface.
Cuticle: Aquatic plants have a thin layer of cuticle that covers their stems and leaves. This layer helps them to prevent water loss and absorption, which can cause rotting or drowning. It also helps them to protect themselves from pathogens and parasites.
Aquatic plants are better for fish tanks because they can provide many benefits for your fish and the aquarium ecosystem. Some of these benefits include:
Oxygen production: Aquatic plants produce oxygen during photosynthesis, which they release into the water. This oxygen can be used by your fish and other aquatic organisms for respiration. Oxygen is essential for the health and well-being of your fish, as it helps them to maintain their metabolism, growth, and immunity.
Carbon dioxide consumption: Aquatic plants consume carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, which they take from the water. This carbon dioxide can come from your fish and other aquatic organisms, as well as from the decomposition of organic matter. Carbon dioxide is a waste product that can lower the pH and the water quality of your fish tank, and cause problems such as acidosis and algae growth.
Nitrate removal: Aquatic plants can also remove nitrate from the water, which is another waste product that can accumulate in your fish tank. Nitrate is produced from the breakdown of ammonia and nitrite by beneficial bacteria in the nitrogen cycle. Nitrate is less toxic than ammonia and nitrite, but high levels of nitrate can still cause stress, disease, and algae growth in your fish tank. Aquatic plants can use nitrate as a source of nitrogen, which they need for growth and development.
Shelter and hiding places: Aquatic plants can provide shelter and hiding places for your fish and other aquatic animals. This can help them to feel more secure and comfortable in their environment, as well as to avoid predators and aggression. Some fish also like to use aquatic plants for spawning, nesting, or resting.
Food source: Aquatic plants can also serve as a food source for your fish and other aquatic animals. Some fish are herbivorous or omnivorous, and they can graze on the leaves, stems, or roots of aquatic plants. Some fish are also detritivorous, and they can feed on the dead or decaying parts of aquatic plants. Aquatic plants can also host microorganisms, such as algae, bacteria, and protozoa, which can be eaten by your fish or other aquatic animals.
How to Choose and Care for Aquatic Plants in Your Fish Tank
There are many types of aquatic plants that you can choose from for your fish tank. However, not all aquatic plants are suitable for all fish tanks. You need to consider several factors before you choose and care for aquatic plants in your fish tank, such as:
The size of your fish tank: You need to choose aquatic plants that are appropriate for the size of your fish tank. You do not want to overcrowd your fish tank with too many or too large aquatic plants, as this can reduce the water circulation, oxygen levels, and light penetration. You also do not want to choose aquatic plants that are too small or too few, as this can make your fish tank look empty or boring.
The type of your fish tank: You need to choose aquatic plants that are compatible with the type of your fish tank. You need to consider whether your fish tank is freshwater or saltwater, coldwater or tropical, planted or unplanted, community or species-specific, etc. You need to choose aquatic plants that can tolerate the water parameters, temperature, lighting, and bioload of your fish tank. You also need to choose aquatic plants that can coexist with your fish and other aquatic animals, and not cause any problems such as predation, competition, or allelopathy.
The lighting of your fish tank: You need to choose aquatic plants that can grow well under the lighting of your fish tank. You need to consider the intensity, duration, and spectrum of the light that your fish tank receives. You need to choose aquatic plants that have similar light requirements, and not mix low-light and high-light plants. You also need to provide adequate lighting for your aquatic plants, and not overexpose or underexpose them to light.
The substrate of your fish tank: You need to choose aquatic plants that can root well in the substrate of your fish tank. You need to consider the type, depth, and quality of the substrate that your fish tank has. You need to choose aquatic plants that have similar substrate preferences, and not mix sand and gravel plants. You also need to provide a suitable substrate for your aquatic plants, and not use substrates that are too coarse, too fine, or too dirty.
The maintenance of your fish tank: You need to choose aquatic plants that are easy to maintain in your fish tank. You need to consider the growth rate, pruning needs, propagation methods, and disease resistance of the aquatic plants. You need to choose aquatic plants that are not too fast-growing or too slow-growing, and not too invasive or too delicate. You also need to provide regular maintenance for your aquatic plants, and not neglect or overdo it.
Some examples of popular and easy-to-care aquatic plants that you can use in your fish tank are:
Anubias: Anubias are low-light, slow-growing, and hardy aquatic plants that can be attached to rocks, driftwood, or ornaments. They have thick, dark green, and leathery leaves that can resist algae and herbivory. They can also produce beautiful white flowers that can emerge above the water surface.
Java fern: Java fern are low-light, slow-growing, and hardy aquatic plants that can be attached to rocks, driftwood, or ornaments. They have long, narrow, and bright green leaves that can create a lush and natural look. They can also produce small plantlets that can detach and grow into new plants.
Amazon sword: Amazon sword are moderate-light, fast-growing, and easy aquatic plants that can be planted in the substrate. They have large, broad, and green leaves that can create a focal point or a background in your fish tank. They can also produce runners that can spread and form new plants.
Cryptocoryne: Cryptocoryne are low-light, slow-growing, and easy aquatic plants that can be planted in the substrate. They have various shapes, sizes, and colors of leaves that can create a diverse and attractive look. They can also adapt to different water conditions and parameters.
Hornwort: Hornwort are high-light, fast-growing, and easy aquatic plants that can be floated or planted in the substrate. They have thin, needle-like, and green leaves that can provide oxygen, shade, and shelter for your fish. They can also shed their leaves and grow new ones quickly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you cannot put regular plants in a fish tank, as they are not adapted to the aquatic environment and will either rot, drown, or die from lack of light. However, there are many types of aquatic plants that you can use to decorate your fish tank and provide benefits for your fish. Aquatic plants are adapted to the aquatic environment and can survive and thrive in water. They can also produce oxygen, consume carbon dioxide, remove nitrate, provide shelter, and serve as food for your fish and other aquatic animals. You need to choose and care for aquatic plants that are suitable for your fish tank, considering the size, type, lighting, substrate, and maintenance of your fish tank. Some examples of popular and easy-to-care aquatic plants are anubias, java fern, amazon sword, cryptocoryne, and hornwort. By adding aquatic plants to your fish tank, you can create a beautiful, healthy, and natural aquarium for your fish.
