5 Easy Plants for Goldfish Aquariums
Goldfish are notorious for munching on or digging up aquatic plants, which is a shame because live plants are both beautiful and beneficial, capable of consuming the toxic chemicals produced by fish waste. We’ve discovered several species of plants that are easy to care for and durable enough to withstand the curious nibbling of your goldfish.
1. Crinum calamistratum
This bulb plant that grows slowly is known for its long, crinkly foliage. It can grow up to four feet (1.2 m). Like goldfish, it does well in higher pH and harder water. The plant is strong and thick so that it won’t be damaged if goldfish bump into it. Unlike most of the other plants in this list, crinums are planted into the substrate and therefore risk being uprooted by your fish. Therefore, considering protecting the newly planted bulb by surrounding it with a ring of rocks or putting it in the middle of a large stone with a hole in the center.
Your crinum may be a bit sad looking when it first arrives. It isn’t used to your water conditions and might have some melting leaves. It will grow into a well-established fish if it is kept in low to medium light and not moved.
2. Anubias
Anubias plants are a very popular beginner plant because of their ease of care, low light requirements, and wide assortment of shapes and colors. Anubias congensis, Anubias coffeefolia and Anubias barteri are the best choices. They have thicker leaves and can withstand a beating. Anubias don’t need substrate. To plant them in your goldfish tank, you can simply place them between rocks or attach them with super glue gel. To keep anubias from getting knocked over, you can place them in an Easy Planter.
Keep fish away from your plants by placing your anubias in an Easy Planter decoration
3. Marimo Moss Ball
The velvety green algae orb is actually a type of algae that keeps its shape by being bounced around in the bottom of lakes. You can place it in your aquarium, and your goldfish will kick it around. They prefer cooler water and low light levels. You can clean their fuzzy surface by swishing it in an aquarium bucket. You can find more information about their care requirements here.
4. Java Fern
Anubias and Java ferns have a lot in common. They are great for beginners because they don’t need much light or substrate. While they don’t come in as many varieties, the most popular ones include regular java fern, Windelov (or lace) java fern, and narrow leaf java fern. You can attach them to rocks or driftwood, or place the plastic pot in an Easy Planter decoration. It is easy to propagate them by 1) cutting the Rhizome into two pieces, 2) trimming a leaf, and then floating it in the aquarium. Little plantlets will grow from the tiny black dots.
5. Bolbitis Fern
This beautiful aquatic plant is also known as the African waterfern. It has unique texture and emerald-green leaves, unlike almond leaves, which are uncommon in other aquatic plants. It hails from Africa like the Crinum calamistratum and therefore also enjoys waters with higher pH and water hardness. The bolbitis fern is similar to anubias. It likes to be attached in aquarium decorations and hardscape. This will ensure that the rhizome of its plant does not become buried. If you offer low to medium lighting and some liquid fertilizer, it will gradually grow into an impressive bush that can even live with some monster fish.
These plants are great for goldfish. They will soon realize they don’t like or can’t eat the leaves. You can also distract them by giving them lots of food that is rich in plant matter and alga to keep them from getting too excited about eating. Enjoy the process of planting your goldfish tank and taking in nature every day.
For more information about how to house, feed, and care for your fancy goldfish, read this care guide next.