Freshwater aquarium grass plants are really essential if your aquarium is to look like it should and be a welcome haven for your fish. They will provide both cover and shelter for shy fish and areas for breeding to take place. This article describes a range of grass like plants of varying sizes that you can use in your tank.

Freshwater aquarium grass plants are really essential if your aquarium is to look like it should and be a welcome haven for your fish. They will provide both cover and shelter for shy fish and areas for breeding to take place. This article describes a range of grass like plants of varying sizes that you can use in your tank.

Vallisneria

Vallisneria is an aquatic plant genus that has several species and has the common names of vallis, tape grass or eelgrass. The plant spreads by runners and the leaves have round tips and veins that stand out. White flowers can grow to the water surface on the long stems. The Vallisneria species include vallisneria aethiopica, V. americana, V. alternifolia, V. anhuiensis, V. asiatica, V. natans, V. spiralis and v. tortifolia.

Of these, only the V. spiralis, V. natans and V.tortifolia are probably regularly used for the home aquarium. This is because they grow to a height of about 6 to 12, 9 to 12 and 3 to 4 inches respectively that seems adequate for most tank sizes.

Due to their size the V. gigantea (frequently called this but are actually V.americana) would not be suitable because they reach two meters in height, but you could if you kept the size down by regular trimming.

The popular varieties are pretty hardy so will do alright under moderate light conditions but obviously grow more slowly. Any type of substrate can be used and they reproduce when runners are sent out with plantlets coming out from them at various locations along the runner.

Once established these additional plants can be replanted elsewhere. It is best to avoid acidic water but they will tolerate some salt in the water, up to about one tenth that found in sea water.

Straight Vallisneria (Vallisneria spiralis) is a rooter and is also known as Tape or Eel Grass. Its leaves have round tips and are narrow and straight with colors varying from light green to red.

You need to keep this plant in check as it will grow and spread rapidly in the tank. It will grow to sixty 60 cms. It reproduces by putting out runners through the substrate.

White flowers may be seen at the top of the long stems. Soft to hard water quality is preferred, the temperature fifteen to thirty nine degrees centigrade and a pH range of six to nine. It will grow under a wide range of light conditions and is a favorite amongst aquarium keeping beginners.

Other Grass Plants

Lilaeopsis is another grass like plant that grows into a very thick sod like lawn. This plant requires bright light and a soft nutrient rich substrate. Often called Micro sword, it reaches a maximum height of three inches.

The Lilaeopsis genus has several species of flowering plants commonly known as grassworts. These include:
* Lilaeopsis brasiliensis (syn. Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae)
* Lilaeopsis carolinensis (Carolina grasswort)
* Lilaeopsis chinensis (Eastern grasswort)
* Lilaeopsis masonii (Mudflat quillplant)
* Lilaeopsis occidentalis (Western grasswort)
* Lilaeopsis schaffneriana

Lilaeopsis brasiliensis can be used to produce a lawn effect for your aquarium. Comes in pots or clumps but is best to split it up before planting. Otherwise, as a very dense plant it will accumulate algae and debris.

It will propagate by sending out runners. It seems that this freshwater aquarium grass plant establishes itself more easily when the substrate is made up of finer material.

As you can see there are quite a few freshwater aquarium grass plants to choose from and I hope this article points you in the right direction when selecting some for your aquarium.