1. Species of aquatic plants Most of the aquatic plants planted in tropical fish aquariums in China are exotic species, and their origin is mainly tropical and subtropical regions, followed by temperate regions. There are many kinds of aquatic plants, no less than potted plants on land. According to their shapes and properties, aquatic plants can be divided into the following categories:
(1) Aquatic plants with roots at the bottom and leaves open in water.
(2) Aquatic plants with roots at the bottom and leaves floating on the water.
(3) Aquatic plants with roots at the bottom of the water, leaves coming out of the water and flowers in the air.
(4) Rootless aquatic plants floating on the water.
(5) Aquatic plants without fixed roots and stems and leaves born in water.
Among the above aquatic plants, the first aquatic plant is the most suitable for raising tropical fish.
Aquatic plants often planted in tropical fish aquariums are as follows:
Pteris vittata is an aquatic plant, which originated in North America and was transplanted to Asia many years ago. Now it has become a wild aquatic plant.
Grass stems are slightly thicker and leaves grow with potato stems, so it has strong viability, fast growth and strong adaptability and endurance to temperature changes. High reproductive capacity, as long as the cut stems are inserted into the sand, they can survive.
If a wild species is transplanted into an aquarium, because the temperature in the aquarium is generally higher than that outside, it must be gradually adapted to the temperature in the aquarium, otherwise it will die.
Phyllanthus urinaria, Phyllanthus altissima, Alocasia alopecuroides and Alocasia alopecuroides are representative species of tropical fish and aquatic plants, which are native to Sri Lanka and distributed in South America, Australia, India, Mexico, Indonesia and other places. It is highly productive, easy to cultivate and has high ornamental value. Because this kind of aquatic plant can be cultivated with seeds and produced in large quantities, it is relatively cheap and is also a popular aquatic plant.
The appearance of Phyllostachys pubescens is similar to that of kelp, which is wavy and wrinkled, so it is also called wrinkled fur bamboo and kelp grass. The leaves are 2 ~ 3 cm wide, 60 cm long, and the petiole is 20 cm long and 40 cm long. It is a beautiful and spectacular large aquatic plant.
Eupatorium adenophorum has strong adaptability, rapid growth and strong light. During the breeding period, it should receive 4 hours of light every day. It has tubers (also called perennial roots) similar to sweet potatoes, on which new plants will grow. If plants have fibrous roots, they can be cut and planted separately.
Artificial pollination, seed collection and sowing can also be applied to Phyllostachys pubescens. When the mature mother plant leaves the water and blooms in the air, it pollinates with a gentle brush. After the seeds are ripe, they are picked and planted in a small water tank, and the sand is about 5 cm thick. After a few days, white roots and small wavy leaves will grow. When the leaf length is 65,438+00 cm and the root length is about 65,438+0 cm, it can be transplanted to another place for cultivation.
Netgrass is produced in Madagascar Peninsula, Africa, with strong fertility and edible roots.
The leaves of nettle are shaped like a net, which is unique and incomparable to other plants. This kind of grass can see the opposite object through the leaves, which is very distinctive.
Nettle grass has white flowers and is propagated by seeds in its place of origin. Artificial breeding and aquarium breeding are difficult, so most of them rely on input and import, which is very expensive and precious.
Netgrass is very strict with light. Too strong, that is, it will grow full of moss and affect growth. Too weak, easy to die. It is a kind of water plant that is difficult to grow. The water temperature of netted grass should generally be kept at around 25℃, and it will stop developing when it exceeds 28℃.
Pay attention to the following points when planting netted grass: (1) Spread some thick fine sand. (2) Keep the water clean. (3) The water temperature should be around 25℃. (4) It is best to plant in the shade of other large aquatic plants, or dim the light.
Yarmala water tree is a unique aquatic plant, native to North America. It looks like a woody plant, with leaves like the bottom of a boat, about 5 cm long, symmetrical left and right, and it grows on a thick horizontal stem in Kaidi Zhang, which is very strange.
Cold-water aquatic plants belong to Jarmala, and the suitable water temperature for their growth is 20℃ ~ 25℃. Although I don't like high temperature, I like strong light. Stem cutting and transplanting can be used for reproduction.
Hypericum japonicum is a kind of bryophyte, its leaves and stems grow together, thin and long, in a tufted state, like a fine hemp.
Tian Jihuang is dark green and doesn't like strong light. The aquarium planted with Tian Jihuang needs to be changed frequently or fished and washed frequently to grow faster. Hypericum japonicum can grow and reproduce by itself without artificial planting.
The ornamental value of Hypericum japonicum is low, and it is mainly used for the cultivation of tropical fish.
Chrysanthemum morifolium is produced in tropical Asian waters. On the thick stem of chrysanthemum grass, leaves that germinate and turn yellow like chrysanthemum leaves grow symmetrically left and right. Chrysanthemum grass has low requirements on the environment, and the water temperature can grow well. I like strong light and have strong reproductive ability. As long as you cut off a rhizome or a leaf and insert it in the sand, you can grow a new chrysanthemum.
Oenanthe javanica originated from the ancient continent. It belongs to a kind of pteridophyte in water, and its leaves are very similar to radish leaves. Because its leaves are very thin, the Japanese call it carrot.
The leaves of Oenanthe javanica are similar to those of chrysanthemum grass, but the difference is that Oenanthe javanica has no leaf stem, and each leaf is directly attached to the stem, and its long leaf phenomenon is similar to that of ferns on land. The leaves of this plant are divided into wide leaves and narrow leaves.
Oenanthe javanica likes strong light, has strong adaptability, fast growth and the strongest reproductive ability among aquatic plants. It can be planted in submerged water or grown on the water surface, which is essential for the reproduction of perch.
Oenanthe javanica can be propagated by dividing plants and sowing branches, and new small plants can be born by itself after the leaves are aged.
Agaricus bisporus was originally a European water lily. After artificial improvement, its leaves floating on the water remain in the water, which is suitable for aquarium viewing.
The leaves of water mushrooms are a bit like mushrooms on land. The stem is attached to the center of the dried leaves and has a special shape.
This kind of water grass has strong endurance, easy planting, rapid growth and likes low water temperature. Its propagation method is to germinate from the underground stem of its root and continue to develop horizontally.
Narcissus is native to Africa. As the name implies, it is an aquatic plant floating on the water, that is, a floating plant. If viewed from above, this plant looks like a blooming rose with thick and round leaves, and the yellow leaves in front are covered with micro hairs, which has the function of drainage.
A large number of slender and beautiful floating daffodils with long white roots hanging in the water have certain ornamental value and can be used as shelters for young fish and small fish. Floating leaves can also be used for perch climbing to spit and nest, which is one of the indispensable aquatic plants for tropical fish reproduction.
Crown grass is a large aquatic plant, which is produced in the Amazon River basin. Crown grass has thick petioles, wide leaves and beautiful leaves. A big crown grass can grow nearly 100 leaves, with a length of 50 cm and a width of 8 cm. Crown grass is luxurious and magnificent, and it is called the king of aquatic plants in some places in China.
Crown grass likes strong light and is easy to grow, but its leaves are fragile and should not be moved frequently to avoid damaging them.
Crown grass is mainly propagated by ginseng stems, which grow to the surface and above. Each rhizome can grow more than a dozen grasses, and sometimes two or three rhizomes can grow at the same time. When the roots are long enough for planting, they should be cut off and planted separately. If the roots of the crown grass grow new plants, when they grow to about 20 cm, they can be cut down and planted separately.
Fringe grass is an aquatic plant growing in South America. It has a proper shape, and each leaf is like a wavy frill, which is very similar to Phyllanthus bambusa.
The wrinkled grass is pointed and round, with thick and hard leaves, strong physique, easy cultivation and large and long leaves, which is suitable for large aquarium planting.
Although this kind of grass can be propagated by cutting roots or collecting seeds by artificial pollination, it is difficult to reproduce and bloom because its roots are not as good as that of crown grass.
Watermelon grass grows in the north of South America. Watermelon grass is named because it has peach-shaped pointed leaves and obvious reticular veins, and the grass-green leaves have clear veins, just like the veins of watermelon skin. Herbal medicine is not as good as grass, but its red and green leaves look beautiful.
Watermelon grass has strong adaptability and likes strong light, but it grows slowly. Artificial propagation is difficult, and it can be propagated by rhizome generation and artificial pollination.
Golden grass goldfish grassland is produced in South America. It is a common aquatic plant. This kind of grass is soft and strong. Although it can adapt to the high or low water temperature, it will die if it is placed in the suddenly changing water.
Snapdragon prefers strong light, and leaves will fall when the light is insufficient, which is not very beautiful. But it is very fertile. As long as any section is cut off and transplanted into its stem, it can take root. The suitable water temperature is 18℃ ~ 26℃.
The snapdragon grows rapidly. If left unchecked, it will block the light and hinder the migration of fish, which has the disadvantage of being unsightly. Therefore, it must be pruned or replanted at an appropriate time.
Broad-leaved taro aquatic plants are produced in Southeast Asia and distributed in Thailand, India, Malaysia and other countries.
Alocasia alopecuroides was transplanted to various places a long time ago, and it is a popular tropical aquatic plant. The water plants of taro have their own wonders, different shapes, colorful colors and great ornamental value.
Broad-leaved taro likes strong light and grows slowly. Its leaves are green when they are young, and turn brown when they are mature, which looks beautiful.
Broad-leaved taro has underground stems similar to taro, also known as bulbs. It mainly reproduces by growing new plants from underground stems.
Short-leaf taro, also known as short-leaf wrinkled taro, looks like broad-leaf taro, with short and narrow leaves, wavy wrinkles and dark green color.
Short-leaf taro likes strong light and grows slowly. Its growth conditions and propagation methods are the same as those of broad-leaved taro.
Alocasia macrophylla, also known as Alocasia macrophylla, looks like Alocasia macrophylla, with slender leaves and sea-band wrinkles.
Alocasia macrophylla has strong adaptability, rapid growth and strong light. Its growth conditions and propagation methods are the same as those of broad-leaved taro.
Powder taro powder taro looks like broad-leaved taro, with short leaves, about 10 cm long, thick leaves, green front and pale pink back.
Powder taro has strong adaptability, likes strong light and grows slowly. Its growth conditions and propagation methods are the same as those of broad-leaved taro.
Eupatorium adenophorum is the most common aquatic plant in the eastern United States. The leaves are 5 ~ 6 cm wide and 15 ~ 20 cm high. It belongs to medium-sized aquatic plants with sword-shaped leaves. Its growth conditions and reproduction methods are the same as those of the ghost arrow feather.
Dictyophora indusiata is the same plant as Dictyophora indusiata, and its leaf shape and plant shape are the same as Dictyophora indusiata, with leaves up to 40 cm long and 3 cm wide.
Its growth conditions and reproduction methods are the same as those of the ghost arrow feather.
Bryophyte algae are native to Asia, Europe, Australia, North America and South America. It is a beautiful green algae, belonging to lower plants in terms of plant evolution. There are no fixed roots, only thin stems are intertwined and propagated in water. It likes strong light, has strong reproductive ability, and breeds by its tiny stems and branches.
Moss algae can be used as a refuge for small fish and juvenile fish, and can also be used for the reproduction of viviparous fish and the spawning and reproduction of self-feeding eggs or juvenile fish.
Water lilies are native to temperate zones in the northern hemisphere. The commonly used tropical fish tanks are Shama water lily and Japanese water lily made in Japan.
The leaves of water lilies in Shafuma are long and peach-shaped, while those in Japan are as wide as a circle. The roots of two plants, like the roots of one plant, are yellowish in color, with large leaves, majestic and beautiful. They have been planted in aquariums for a long time.
Water lily grass is tough and grows well. Although it can withstand the water temperature, it will die if it is suddenly sent from low temperature to high temperature.
Water lilies love strong light, which will rot if there is not enough light. To germinate from roots and produce new plants.
Willow grass willow grass is produced in India. Because the leaf shape of grass is very similar to that of willow, it is named Liucao.
Willow grass is tall and straight, and there are symmetrically widened willow-like leaflets on the thick branches, and white fine-rooted water will grow on the branches.
Willow grass can withstand high and low water temperatures, is strong, grows rapidly and has strong reproductive ability. If its stem is cut into several sections and inserted into the sand, it can take root and form new plants.
In addition, there is a kind of willow grass called red willow grass, with reddish leaves and beautiful colors, which is full of praise.
Banana grasslands are produced in Florida. Because the rhizome looks like a banana, it is named plantain grass. The leaves of plantain grass are approximately round and peach-shaped. If there is enough light, the leaves are red and green with brown spots on them.
Banana grass is a medium-sized aquatic plant with large round leaves, uneven leaves, slightly wavy leaves and short stems, all of which are in the water. Petiole, such as water lily or lotus-shaped, sometimes floats on the water. If you trim the leaves floating on the water, they will not elongate, but leave them in the water. The shape and size of rhizomes are uneven. If the whole plant floats in water, its roots will be big and thick. If the roots are placed in the sand under the water, the thick roots will disappear. When the roots are rooted in the sand, new plants will sprout.
Gracilaria lemaneiformis is produced all over the world. Slender leaves, like belts, can grow to 70 cm in an aquarium. This grass is similar to the root of Eupatorium adenophorum, but the difference is that the leaves of Eupatorium adenophorum are soft and brittle, and the periphery of the leaves is like sawtooth.
Gracilaria lemaneiformis is easy to grow and grows rapidly. Although it belongs to aquatic plants in dry and low water temperature areas, it can also adapt to high humidity environment, just don't suddenly change the water temperature. Its propagation method is to grow plants through the extension of roots.
Saxifraga is native to tropical America. It is a close relative of the evening primrose on land and belongs to the genus Carthamus. There are several close relatives. Its left and right leaves are symmetrical at the same time, much like willow grass, but the leaves of this plant are sharp and uneven, slightly curved, and the color of the leaves is red and green, which can change with the depth of light or water.
Saxifraga likes strong light, which is convenient for growth and reproduction. Cutting stems and cuttings can make plants germinate.
Cymbidium sinense is produced in southern Brazil, the suitable water temperature is 20℃ ~ 30℃, and the requirement for carbon dioxide is above 6 mg/L. Cymbidium sinense is green as a whole, but its leaves and stems are slightly red. When the leaves change from red to pink, it means that there is a lack of nutrition, and the bed should be fertilized. When planting, the terminal buds are planted obliquely in bundles, which has better visual effect.
Salix paliurus is cultivated in China, Japan and Southeast Asia, and the suitable water temperature is 16℃ ~ 24℃. It can grow naturally in rice fields and needs high light and carbon dioxide. Artificial cultivation is difficult and can only be used as a temporary viewing.
Sebago is native to Brazil and southern China, and its suitable water temperature is 18℃ ~ 26℃. It is not easy to cultivate. If it is planted, it must be taken care of carefully. Sebago grew faster, but stopped growing when carbon dioxide was scarce. Therefore, it is best to keep the carbon dioxide content above 15 mg/L and apply sufficient fertilizer.
Salix psammophila is native to Southeast Asia, and the suitable water temperature is 18℃ ~ 28℃. It can be divided into hydrofoil type and hydrofoil type. If the aquatic leaf type is moved to water for cultivation, it is best to cut off all its aquatic leaves and let the remaining stems germinate in water, which can accelerate the formation of new leaves. When planting, it is best for the stem to have knots buried in the bottom sand, which helps to take root and avoid rot.
Yuncao is native to South Africa, and its suitable water temperature is 20℃ ~ 28℃. The outer edge of leaves is curly and translucent, which is beautiful when clustered, but it is not easy to cultivate. If the carbonate content is not high, it will hinder the growth, so it is best to use silica sand as the bottom bed and add carbon dioxide appropriately. If given more light and enough fertilizer, it will show more beautiful curling characteristics.
Nodular grass is distributed all over the world, and the suitable water temperature is 18℃ ~ 30℃. There are so many similar varieties of bamboo and grass that it is difficult to distinguish one variety correctly. Most of them are easy to cultivate, robust and strong, and have no strict requirements on light, carbon dioxide and fertilizer. If there is enough fertilizer, the aquarium can grow quickly. If new shoots are found to turn white, they will turn green as soon as liquid fertilizer is applied.
Abida pepper grassland is produced in Thailand, and the suitable water temperature is 22℃ ~ 28℃. Abida pepper grass is a cluster of small leaf pepper grass. Under good hydroponic conditions, the leaves are reddish brown with purple spots. If there is a long-term lack of fertilizer and insufficient light, the plants will be green.
Kodak pepper grassland is produced in Thailand and Malaysia, and the suitable water temperature is 22℃ ~ 28℃. The color and shape of Kodak pepper grass are greatly influenced by the environment, and it is not easy to cultivate artificially. Kodak pepper grass is suitable for planting in acidic water with pH around 6, so it is necessary to raise more fish and change less water, reduce the pH value of water, and try not to mix with other aquatic plants.
Brown pepper grassland is produced in Malaysia, and the suitable water temperature is 22℃ ~ 28℃. The surface of leaves is dull, and the color is transparent brown with gray spots. It belongs to the small clump of pepper grass, and its height is generally not more than 10 cm, which can be used as the foreground layout.
Pepper grass is easily dissolved due to water quality and environmental changes. However, even if all the leaves are dissolved, as long as the roots remain in the bottom bed, lobules will slowly grow, that is, the whole plant will be revived. Flag leaf pepper grassland is produced in Vietnam, and the suitable water temperature is 22℃ ~ 28℃. The leaves of Zanthoxylum bungeanum are quite slender, and the width of the leaves is less than 1 cm. Compared with other peppers, it can be recognized at a glance. Pepper grass needs plenty of light when it grows. If carbon dioxide can be added, it can promote its good growth.
Coffee pepper grass is native to Sri Lanka, and the suitable water temperature is 22℃ ~ 28℃. It is the easiest variety of pepper grass to cultivate with long and narrow leaves. In an aquarium, the leaves are not pure green, and some are dotted with brown stripes, but the back of the leaves is red.
Axiu crown grass is produced in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, and the suitable water temperature is 20℃ ~ 28℃. The leaves are slender. It's easy to cultivate, as long as it is planted in a fertilized bed, it will grow well.
Corolla grassland is produced in the south of North America, and the suitable water temperature is 18℃ ~ 30℃. The leaves are round and thin, translucent, very soft and easy to get hurt. When planting, the leaves grow round at first, and then they will gradually become slender. This is because in nature, crown grass grows in shallow water, with long light time and round leaves. When the aquarium is planted, the water level is deep and the light is relatively weak, so the leaves grow slender. It is difficult to cultivate, so it is necessary to apply sufficient fertilizer on the bed, strengthen the light and add carbon dioxide to the water.
Pigeonpea is produced in South America, and the suitable water temperature is 20℃ ~ 28℃. The leaves are thin and soft with wavy edges. It's hard to cultivate.
Magnolia grandiflora is produced in temperate and tropical regions, and the suitable water temperature is 18℃ ~ 30℃. Eupatorium odoratum is very strong, and it is the first choice for beginners to grow aquatic plants by creeping branches. As long as there is more red light, adding fertilizer to the bottom sand and adding some carbon dioxide to the water can grow well.
Polyester is native to the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, and the suitable water temperature is 18℃ ~ 30℃. Dacron is easy to cultivate, and its broad and thick leaves often gather together to block the light on the water surface, which will affect the growth of red-loving aquatic plants, so it is rarely planted in aquariums.
Crepe grass is native to West Africa, and the suitable water temperature is 22℃ ~ 28℃. Crepe grass has beautiful radioactive leaves, but it can only grow well if it is given enough light, fertilizer and carbon dioxide. Once these requirements are out of balance, it is easy to cause short plants. It can grow to about 2 cm in nature, but it doesn't grow much in aquariums. It belongs to small aquatic plants. Oenanthes tenuifolia is produced in temperate and tropical regions, and the suitable water temperature is 22℃ ~ 28℃. Leaves are complex pinnately compound leaves. Oenanthe javanica is easy to cultivate, and it can survive whether it is planted underwater or floating on the water. As long as there is enough fertilizer and light, it will soon grow to more than 60 cm. But it doesn't last long, and many messy buds will grow on the back of the leaves in the later stage of growth, which will wither the plants.
Carex hair grows all over the world, and the suitable water temperature is 20℃ ~ 28℃. Nostoc flagelliforme is widely used in aquarium scenery, which can be attached to driftwood or rock and fixed on plastic board with fishing line as the background of aquarium. Cultivation is easy, as long as the water temperature is low, the pH is low and there are certain nutrients in the water, it can grow well.