In this article, we will answer the question “Which plants can I be used in angelfish tanks?”. We will list the 10 most recommended aquarium plants for angelfish tanks.
Which plants can be used in angelfish tanks?
The most common and one of the best plants to use in angelfish tanks is the Amazon Sword. However, there are also some other great options to keep in angelfish tanks, such as slow-growing plants like the Java Fern. Java Fern is quite hardy and can resist several fish attacks in the tank. If you prefer a low-maintenance plant, look for Vallisneria, which thrives in lengthy tanks as well. Because Anubias nana is a short plant, it should be put near the front of your tank. Hornwort, Water Wisteria, and Water Sprite are also some good options to consider when setting up an angelfish tank.
What makes an aquarium plant proper for angelfish tanks?
Various factors are incredibly important to angelfish. The first is due to the cichlids’ large size. They do not grow to be particularly enormous, but they do grow to be extremely tall. When they are mature and fully grown, some individuals may even reach 10 inches tall.
It is very common for beginner aquarists the mistake of raising angelfish in a not appropriately tall tank. When a fish reaches 10 inches in length, it requires more space in the tank to move around. Thus, when you are in the search for new plants for an angelfish tank, it is a good idea to choose the ones that may reach the top of the tank, the water surface.
Aside from being able to pick some tall-growing plants, having a pair of angelfish has several benefits. One of them will go get eggs and possibly fry them. Breeding your angelfish is both rewarding and enjoyable to see. Angelfish, on the other hand, are not great parents and, after years of reproducing in captivity, are likely to eat the eggs the first couple of times.
Plant selection is critical for breeding success. For protection and privacy, you will need plants with broad leaves for them to stick their eggs to, as well as plants that mature into thick bushes.
Top 10 best plants for angelfish tanks
Amazon swords
An Amazon Sword is a must-have plant for raising angelfish. Angelfish are also found in the Amazon River, so it is a perfect fit. The amazon swords are very good for angelfish breeding tanks. This is because they are ideal for them to lay their eggs safely.
These plants can also grow rather big, reaching 12 to 16 inches in height under ideal conditions. These plants do well in moderate illumination, but when given intense lights and more CO2, they can grow very quickly.
Make sure the Amazon Sword is rooted in the substrate before planting it. It is a root-feeding plant that requires extra nutrients in the soil.
Water sprite
Water sprite is the second plant that comes highly recommended for maintaining angelfish. This plant appears on every list and is highly recommended by many angelfish keepers. The Water sprite is highly recommended because it can grow and form a very dense forest, allowing the angelfish to swim through and hide when necessary, with privacy and calm áreas to lay their eggs.
The plant may grow up to 13 inches tall, making it an excellent backdrop plant for a variety of aquariums. The water parameters are exactly what angelfish require, which is ideal. Although it is known as a slow-growing plant, the appropriate conditions can accelerate its growth.
The Water sprite is strongly recommended when setting up angelfish breeding tanks. It can also be combined with Amazon Sword.
Java Fern
Java Fern is another very popular plant to use in angelfish tanks. It is great for many other fish tanks also. It’s ideal for new fish keepers due to its ease of care, bigger leaves, and modest growth rate. Additionally, Java Fern is beginner-friendly, thus it is very popular among aquarists by requiring low maintenance.
When it comes to angelfish aquariums, the thin but durable leaves are ideal. They can lay eggs on them, however, the fish prefer to swim past them due to the bushy development of this plant. It provides excellent cover, which angelfish greatly like.
It is important when planting Java Fern not to bury its roots. While the roots appear to be very plantable, it is best not to bury them because this will cause the root system to decay. You can opt for fixing the plant to a piece of driftwood or rock. Java Fern prefers low to moderate illumination, and because it grows slowly, it does not require any additional fertilizers or CO2.
Jungle Vallisneria
Another set of plant suggestions was designed just for angelfish. Jungle Vallisneria, sometimes known as jungle Vallisneria, is a tall plant. It’s essentially a long, lush, green grass that can be grown in an aquarium. Angelfish love to play in the long branches, which can grow very close together.
But what is the maximum height of this plant? It has the potential to grow to be 6.5 feet tall, which is far larger than your aquarium. The topmost parts of the eelgrass float at the surface of the aquarium in this situation. If the jungle Vallisneria becomes too tall, you can try to trim its tops. Jungle Vallisneria reproduces by sending out runners that sprout new plants. It is a gorgeous plant, especially for angelfish tanks when properly positioned.
Dwarf Tiger Lotus
It is also known as red tiger lotus, dwarf tiger lily, and a variety of other names. This plant has the ability to shoot stems up into the air, reaching for the water surface. It can produce lovely lily pads as well as blooms.
This plant comes as a little bulb that you plant in your substrate. Only bury the bulb’s roots, leaving the rest exposed. The plant produces lovely crimson leaves as it begins to root. When it’s doing well, it’ll try to produce some lilies.
You must first learn how to contain this plant before ordering bulbs from Amazon. This plant’s roots have the potential to take over the entire aquarium if left alone. As a result, we propose placing the bulb in a plastic container and then burying it in your aquarium. Also, clip off the blossoms before they wilt, as they can spread seeds all over your tank if they droop.
Water Wisteria
Water Wisteria is very resilient and flexible. It is also a very popular choice among aquarists. It is a fantastic plant that, given the correct conditions, may grow to enormous proportions. It is the ideal backdrop plant for your angelfish tank, providing something for your graceful fish to float through.
Trim the tops of the plant and replant them in the substrate to propagate the plant. You will only need to purchase a few stems, which will give you all of the plants you require over time. In nature, plants grow to such a height that sections of them break off, resulting in the formation of new plants.
Water Wisteria, as previously said, is a versatile plant. You may either root them in the substrate or let them float about the tank. It is not recommended to use the water Wisteria as a floating plant if you have a strong water system. You can always try out different things to determine what works best for you.
Hornwort
Hornwort is a wonderful and simple plant that is an excellent choice for an angelfish tank. Because of its delicate growth, you might think this is a challenging plant if you’ve never heard of it. This plant, on the other hand, is best suited to novice tanks. This plant will thrive as long as you provide it with moderate to bright sunlight and plenty of liquid fertilizer.
We included this plant on our list of angelfish-friendly plants since it is a simple stem plant that can be grown anywhere in the tank. It can grow to be rather tall, which is ideal for background plants in an angelfish tank. You can also grow them as midground plants that do not grow to the water’s surface if you clip them.
Angelfish will swim in between the stems of Hornwort looking for cover if you grow it densely. Overall, this is an excellent choice.
Ambulia (Limnophila sessiliflora)
Ambulia is a plant that has slightly more requirements than the other plants on this list. This is my favourite stem plant, and it has a distinctive appearance. It, too, will reach the top of your tank and has comparable characteristics to Hornwort.
You’ll need to add some extra CO2 to your water to help this plant thrive. When it comes to this plant, the CO2 that naturally exists in your tank is insufficient for optimum plant growth. Replant your cuttings in the substrate to propagate Ambulia.
Because Ambulia is such a fast-growing plant, liquid fertilizer will be required to keep up with its quick development. Seachem Flourish is a cost-effective option.
Water lettuce
Adding floating plants to your aquarium might be a great addition if your aquarium has enough height for your fully grown angelfish to swim around freely. The roots of the Water Lettuce will provide your fish with a blanket-like sensation, giving them a sense of security and safety.
The reason we mention having enough swimming room is that the roots can restrict swimming, effectively lowering the height of your tank. This is not a problem if your tank is large enough, and it is not something you need to be concerned about.
There are three basic things to remember to keep water lettuce alive. You’ll need an aquarium light for illumination, liquid fertilizer to keep the aquarium water nutrient-rich, and minimal surface agitation. Fast currents are not good for floating plants, and they prefer to be left alone to thrive. There are many other fantastic floating plant options besides water lettuce.
Anubias
All types of Anubias plants are popular in the hobby. They have thick, robust leaves that are ideal for angelfish to lay their eggs on. Angelfish cannot swim between the leaves and stems because they are too thick, but that is fine. They also do not grow very tall, so you can use them in your tank as midground plants.
Anubias plants are extremely easy to care for because they grow slowly and hence do not require bright lighting, additional CO2, or fertilizer. Low light or a shaded section of your tank is ideal for them.
The leaves will accumulate algae over time due to their slow growth. They’re also one of the few plants that can flower even when submerged. They are truly excellent plant choices for any aquarium. They come in a variety of sizes, so choose one that fits your requirements.
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “Which plants can I be used in angelfish tanks?”. We also listed the 10 most recommended aquarium plants for angelfish tanks.
If you have any thoughts or doubts, feel free to drop us a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Which plants can be used in angelfish tanks?
Angelfish can be kept in a planted tank.
Angelfish can be kept successfully in a planted tank if you adhere to the unique needs of this unusual fish. Because scalars devour plants like duckweed and filamentous algae, there’s a chance that other aquarium plants, especially fine-leaved ones, will be eaten.
Do angelfish eat plants?
While angelfish enjoy nibbling on plants on occasion, they will not consume the entire plant. By providing them with additional foods, you can ensure that they are adequately fed and have a balanced diet.
What decorations do angelfish like?
Driftwood and rocks make excellent aquarium decorations for your Angelfish tank. Driftwood closely resembles Angelfish’s natural environment. Large, vertical standing boulders are also ideal for hiding your fish and, eventually, laying eggs.
Do angelfish enjoy having plants?
Angelfish prefer plants that grow to be tall and have broad, long leaves. They prefer an aquarium that is heavily vegetated and has plenty of hiding spots.
Do angelfish enjoy hiding?
Angelfish want to swim freely, but they should never venture too far from a safe place. They have their shy moments, whether it is hiding behind a giant rock or plants.
Are angelfish good for beginner aquarists?
Angelfish are a fantastic choice for novices because they are resilient fish that can handle a wide range of water conditions. So maintaining proper water quality is critical, such as keeping ammonia levels under control and ensuring that no dangerous parasites or bacteria are mistakenly introduced into the tank.
References
11 Best Aquarium Plants for Angelfish (With Many Pictures) https://aquariumgenius.com/best-aquarium-plants-for-angelfish/
Roberts, J. 2020. 10 Perfect Plants for Angelfish Tanks (Species Guide). https://www.buildyouraquarium.com/angelfish-plants/
