Types of Plants
Contrary to what one might expect, most of the plants found in
aquariums are not really aquatic. They generally live partly out of the
water, with only the lower portion permanently submerged. Their leaves
are sturdy, unbroken in form, and quite big. When the level of rivers
and ponds rises due to rain - sometimes very heavy in tropical regions
- the plants end up almost entirely, or sometimes even completely,
covered by water. They develop submerged leaves, which are different
from those which appear outside the water, being finer and more
delicate. At the end of the rainy season, the water returns to its
initial level, and the plant reassumes its previous form.
Other plants are totally aquatic, with the upper part of their stems
only rarely seen above the water level - usually to produce a flower.
There are also amphibian or totally aquatic mosses, that are very
useful in aquariums, as they provide a place for some fish to lay their
eggs. Another option is ferns, not only the best-known species from
temperate regions but also those from the tropics that can survive
entirely submerged by water. Plants with fine leaves are prized both by herbivorous fish and other species that lay their eggs on them.
PLASTIC PLANTS It is possible to find excellent imitations of natural
plants, but as an aquarium is a reconstitution of a piece of nature, it
is easy to see why they are totally off limits for many aquarists, who
prefer their plants to be natural. Some of these artificial plants,
however, can serve as a support in a rearing tank for those species of
fish that lay adhesive eggs. The effect created by plastic plants is not always in exquisite taste!