[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Many people like plants in fish tanks while they are keeping fish. Most plants that are used to decorate fish tanks can not only make them look less dull and monotonous, but they can also give them life and color. A strong ornamental fish tank may be beautiful to look at, and it will also help you calm down, relax, and get more energy for your daily life.
However, sometimes when you get home, the plants’ leaves are suddenly cut up, even if you worked really hard to grow them in a fish tank. Not having any other aquatic pets in the tank, like snails, crabs, or turtles, makes it clear that the fish that look like they aren’t doing anything wrong are the ones killing your plants. They swim around all day without stopping.
Anyone who has ever set up a herbarium knows that one wrong fish can ruin your whole effort. Some fish, like snails, love to eat plant leaves and roots, and they destroy the whole tank when they do. Sometimes your fish eat the plants you worked so hard to grow, and they’re fine in the water. But your heart takes a big hit, and you suffer just as much as the plants. Read this article carefully if you don’t want to ruin your good mood and those pretty plants in your tank. It has some helpful tips for your plants.
Having an aquarium with both fish and live plants can be a rewarding experience. The plants add beauty and oxygen to the water, while the fish swimming through them make for mesmerizing viewing. However, some species of fish are more likely to snack on your aquatic plants, potentially destroying them. So which fish are most likely to eat your plants, and how can you prevent it?
Why Do Fish Eat Plants in the First Place?
There are a few key reasons why fish may nibble or devour the plants in your aquarium
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Herbivorous Nature Some fish are simply herbivores by nature and will instinctively munch on any plant material they find. This includes silver dollars, Buenos Aires tetras and cichlids.
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Hunger or Nutrient Deficiency: If the fish aren’t getting enough nutrients from their regular diet, they may turn to your plants as an additional food source. Insufficient feeding can lead to this behavior.
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Boredom: Fish kept in a bare tank with no enrichment may start eating plants to relieve boredom and have something to do. Having other tank decor can prevent this issue.
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Aggressive Tendencies: More aggressive fish like cichlids may eat plants as part of their natural tendency to dig, uproot, and destroy what’s around them. This is just part of their personality.
The Top Plant-Eating Fish Species to Avoid
If you want to have a nicely planted aquarium, there are certain fish species that are notorious for destroying aquatic plants. Here are some of the top offenders:
Silver Dollars
Silver dollar fish (Metynnis argenteus) are named for their shimmering silver coin-like appearance. However, their giant appetites make them problematic when combined with plants. They will swiftly devour any aquatic plants you add to the tank.
Buenos Aires Tetras
While most tetras are plant-friendly, Buenos Aires tetras (Hyphessobrycon anisitsi) are an exception. They have a strong craving for plants and make short work of tank foliage despite their small size.
Clown Loaches
Clown loaches (Chromobotia macracanthus) are entertaining fish, but as they mature they often start uprooting and chewing on plants. Only the toughest broad-leafed plants have a chance of surviving them.
Dwarf Gouramis
Dwarf gouramis (Trichogaster lalius) tend to leave established plants alone but may tear out new delicate roots and shoots as they acclimate to a tank. Mature plants are safer.
Cichlids
The cichlid family contains many notoriously aggressive plant eaters like oscars, Jack Dempseys, convicts, and others. They enjoy shredding and consuming live plants as part of their energetic personalities.
Best Fish for Planted Aquariums
While the fish above can spell disaster for aquarium plants, there are plenty of species well-suited for planted tanks. Here are some top options:
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Tetras – Neon tetras, cardinal tetras, ember tetras, and more are plant-safe choices that add movement and vibrant colors. They may nibble occasionally but won’t destroy plants.
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Guppies – These lively livebearers are plant-friendly and their small size and low bioload makes them ideal for planted community tanks.
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Mollies – Another gentle livebearer that does well with plants. Avoid overstocking.
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Corydoras Catfish – Bottom-dwelling cories help stir up substrate and eat debris but leave plants intact. They are very plant-friendly.
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Otocinclus – Small suckermouth catfish that only eat algae. They help clean plant leaves without damaging them.
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Rasboras – Peaceful schooling fish like harlequin rasboras do fine with plants and add lots of activity.
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Bettas – Male bettas are relatively plant-safe as long as plants are firmly anchored. Avoid fin-nipping species in a betta tank.
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Gouramis – Dwarf gouramis can be problematic but honey gouramis and pearl gouramis normally leave plants alone.
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Plecos – Common plecos can get large but bristlenose and other small species clean algae and leave plants intact.
Tips to Keep Fish from Eating Plants
If you already have plant-eating fish but still want the benefits of live plants, there are some tactics you can try:
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Use tough plants: Choose hardy, fast-growing stem plants and plants with tougher leaves. Avoid delicate plants.
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Secure plants: Weight or anchor the plants so fish can’t uproot them easily. Use substrate fertilizers instead of root tabs.
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Add hiding spots: Give the fish places like caves and dense plants to hide and feel secure so they’re less likely to shred vegetation.
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Distract with foods: Tempt the fish away from plants by offering blanched veggies like zucchini, spinach, and cucumber anchored with toothpicks. Remove uneaten portions promptly.
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Use rock barriers: Arrange smooth rocks around the base of particularly vulnerable plants to protect the stems and roots.
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Remove aggressive fish: Getting rid of the worst plant destroyers may be needed for heavily planted tanks to thrive. Rehome them or set up a different tank.
How to Design Fish-Friendly Planted Aquariums
With some planning, you can have a beautifully planted tank that keeps both fish and foliage happy and healthy. Here are some tips:
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Research fish species carefully and select peaceful community fish appropriate for a planted aquarium. Avoid notorious plant eaters.
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Include a clean-up crew like otocinclus catfish and Amano shrimp to graze algae and prevent plants from getting smothered.
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Use fast-growing stem plants like hygrophila, cabomba, and water wisteria that can regrow quickly if nibbled.
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Anchor plants in the substrate with lead weights or place rocks around the base for stability if you have diggers.
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Arrange plants densely from the start to prevent fish from swimming through and uprooting them before they establish.
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Add driftwood, rock caves, and other decor for fish to explore rather than shredding plants out of boredom.
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Use silk plants in sections prone to destruction by aggressive fish. They can look quite realistic.
Final Thoughts
Certain fish are simply incompatible with live aquarium plants due to their plant-munching tendencies. However, with the right fish selections, tank setup, plant choices, and precautions, you can have a thriving underwater garden that provides beauty and enriching mental stimulation for both you and your fish. Pay attention to your fish’s behavior, move vulnerable plants if needed, and be prepared to rehome plant destroyers. With some care and creativity, you can achieve a balanced environment where fish and plants coexist in harmony.
What aquatic plants do fish not eat?
Aquatic plants like the java fern and water sprite are common choices for aquariums. These aren’t good for many types of fish, though, like Silver Dollar fish, Buenos Aires tetras, Severums, Mono’s, and Cichlids. The main reason is that these plants are slow-growing and contain tough leaves, which are unpalatable to fish.
Most fish do not eat java fern, so you do not need to avoid it. In converse, hygrophila and rotala are commonly eaten by fish. Try a few plants and see which ones your fish don’t like. You might have to try a few different plants before you find the ones that work best for your fish.
Aquatic plants are beneficial for your fish’s health. At the pet store, you can find different kinds of water plants. The Hygrophila plant is one of the most common ones. This is a great choice for your aquarium, as its leaves grow longer and soft. Your fish will likely pick at the leaves and even eat the whole plant.
A good choice for an aquarium is an anubias plant. The anubias plant is a popular option. You’ll find at least one type in your local fish store. The anubias plant is among the few plants that need no CO2. They are low on the list of plants that need no CO2 to grow. You’ll find different varieties of anubias in a variety of colors and sizes.
There are more types of aquatic plants to choose from: the Bolbitis and the Microsorium. Both types of aquatic plants need to be attached to driftwood or rocks for them to grow properly. They thrive in low-light conditions but are unpalatable to most fish. Crinum is a hardy plant that grows slowly and has long, broad leaves that stick out above the water. The onion plant is one of the most common varieties.
If you’re thinking about adding some plants to your tank, you can try planting them without substrate. But be sure to keep big stones around them to prevent your fish from digging into them. Some plant species have very thin leaves, and this makes them easy to be torn by fish.
Aquatic plants VS ornamental fish
Should you plant an aquarium? If so, you may be curious about which fish will eat and hurt aquatic plants and which plants are safe for fish.
Fortunately, there are some easy-to-grow varieties that aren’t harmful to fish. Hygrophila is one of these plants and is fairly common in many home aquariums. The leaves soften as the plant grows, and fish can eat it, too. Water sprite is another plant that isn’t harmful to fish. Its leaves are tough enough to keep most types of nibblers away, but it’s not a good choice for planted aquariums.
In fresh water, silver dollar fish are common. They eat plants and are a great choice for people who are just starting out. It’s not advisable for them to live with plants. Because they are found in brackish water, they are likely to eat live plants in your aquarium. As a rule, monos don’t do well with fast-growing aquatic plants. If you have a lot of different kinds of live plants in your tank, these fish will probably do better. They also do well in aquaponic systems.
Monos look a lot like Silver Dollar Fish, but they’re a bit bigger and like to eat plants. This makes them prime candidates for your home aquarium, where live plants aren’t available. Because they live in brackish water, they are likely to devour live plant material, too. It’s not likely that the plants in your aquarium will be eaten by other plants that don’t like brackish water.
Other common plants that fish can’t damage include Potamogeton and Elodea. These are difficult for fish to digest so can’t be eaten quickly. Lemna, meanwhile, has an unpleasant taste that makes it unsuitable for fish to eat.
You’ll need to be careful to choose your aquatic plants when you keep fish with them. The right combination will ensure that your aquarium’s water quality isn’t negatively affected by any of these species.
Animal Jam – Ask Tierney: Do fish eat plants and animals?
Do all plant-eating fish eat plants?
Additionally, many plant-eating fish are actually beneficial to the overall health of your aquarium, as they help control algae growth and keep your tank balanced. It is a common misconception that all plant-eating fish will eat any type of plant in your aquarium. However, this is not true.
Is it good to eat fish?
Fish is one of the healthiest foods on earth. It is loaded with important nutrients such as protein and vitamin D. Fish is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are very essential for body and brain growth and development. Some fish are high in mercury, which is related to brain developmental problems. Eating fish lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish may combat depression. Fish and fish products are the best sources of vitamin D. Eating fish has been linked to reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes and several other autoimmune diseases. Eating fish protects vision in old age, preventing age-related macular degeneration(AMD).
Why do fish eat plants?
First, it’s important to understand why your fish are eating your plants. Some fish species are herbivores and require plants in their diet, while others may be eating the plants out of boredom or lack of proper nutrition. Choosing the right plants for your tank can also make a big difference in preventing plant-eating behavior.
Can fish eat plant leaves?
Plants with tougher leaves, like Anubias and Java fern, are less likely to be eaten by fish compared to softer plants like Hygrophila and Cabomba. In addition, providing your fish with a varied diet that includes commercial fish food and vegetables can help to deter them from eating your plants.