Aquatic Plant Care Guide

Live aquatic plants are one of the best investments you can make for your aquarium. They improve water quality, reduce algae, provide shelter for shrimp and fish, and make your tank look stunning. At Razz Aquatics we carry a wide selection of beginner-friendly and advanced aquatic plants suited for nano and planted tanks.

1. Why Live Plants?

Live plants do far more than look good. They:

  • Absorb nitrates and ammonia — helping maintain water quality between water changes
  • Produce oxygen — through photosynthesis, benefiting all tank inhabitants
  • Reduce algae — by competing for the same nutrients algae needs to grow
  • Provide biofilm — shrimp graze constantly on biofilm that grows on plant surfaces
  • Create hiding spots — essential for baby shrimp and fish fry
  • Stabilize parameters — a heavily planted tank is more stable and forgiving

2. Types of Aquatic Plants We Carry

Anubias

Anubias are one of the most beginner-friendly plants in the hobby. They grow slowly, tolerate low light, and thrive when attached to driftwood or rocks rather than planted in substrate. Their thick, waxy leaves are rarely eaten by fish or shrimp. Perfect for any tank.

Java Fern

Java Fern is another classic beginner plant. Like Anubias, it does best attached to hardscape rather than buried in substrate. It tolerates a wide range of conditions and produces beautiful, textured leaves. An excellent mid-to-background plant.

Moss

Aquatic moss is essential for shrimp tanks. Baby shrimp hide in moss for safety, and all shrimp constantly graze on the biofilm that grows within it. Java Moss and Christmas Moss are the most popular varieties and thrive in almost any conditions.

Carpeting Plants

Carpeting plants create a lush green foreground in planted tanks. They require moderate to high light and CO2 injection for best results. Monte Carlo and Dwarf Hairgrass are popular choices.

Stem Plants

Stem plants are fast-growing background plants that absorb nutrients rapidly — making them excellent for new tanks and tanks with high bioload. They are easy to propagate by simply cutting and replanting.

Crypts

Cryptocorynes are beautiful mid-ground plants that come in a wide range of colors and textures. They are slow growers that prefer lower light and stable conditions. Crypts are known for "crypt melt" — dropping leaves after being moved — but they recover quickly.

Anubias, Swords, Vallisneria, Sagittaria

These are excellent background and mid-ground plants that add height and movement to your aquascape. Vallisneria and Sagittaria in particular grow tall and sway beautifully in water flow.

3. Light Requirements

Light is the most important factor for plant growth. Different plants have different light needs:

Light Level Plants
Low light Anubias, Java Fern, Java Moss, Crypts
Medium light Vallisneria, Sagittaria, most Stem Plants
High light Carpeting Plants, some Stem Plants

Lighting schedule: 8–10 hours per day on a timer. Consistent lighting reduces algae and helps plants establish healthy growth cycles.

4. Substrate

The right substrate depends on what you're planting:

  • Anubias, Java Fern, Moss — don't need substrate at all. Attach to driftwood or rocks with thread or glue.
  • Most other plants — do best in a nutrient-rich planted substrate like Fluval Stratum or ADA Aquasoil.
  • Root tabs — if using inert substrate like gravel or sand, add root tabs under heavy root feeders like Crypts and Swords.

5. Fertilizers & CO2

Fertilizers

Most plants benefit from regular fertilization. A good all-in-one liquid fertilizer dosed weekly covers most plant needs. Root tabs provide additional nutrients for heavy root feeders.

What to look for:

  • Macronutrients — nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
  • Micronutrients — iron, magnesium, trace elements
  • Shrimp safe — always choose a copper-free fertilizer if keeping shrimp or snails

CO2

CO2 injection significantly improves plant growth and color, especially for medium and high light plants. However it is not required for most beginner plants. Low-tech tanks with low-light plants like Anubias and Java Fern can thrive without CO2.

6. Planting Tips

  • Anubias and Java Fern — never bury the rhizome (the thick horizontal stem) in substrate. Attach to hardscape with thread or super glue gel. A buried rhizome will rot.
  • Stem plants — plant in groups of 3-5 stems for a natural look. Trim regularly to encourage bushy growth.
  • Carpeting plants — plant in small tissue culture portions 1-2cm apart for the carpet to fill in. High light and CO2 will speed this up dramatically.
  • Crypts — plant fully in substrate and leave them alone. They melt when disturbed but recover quickly.
  • Moss — tie to driftwood or rocks with thread or fishing line. It will attach on its own over a few weeks.

7. Common Issues & How to Fix Them

Yellow or pale leaves

Usually a sign of nutrient deficiency — most commonly iron or nitrogen. Dose a liquid fertilizer and add root tabs if using inert substrate.

Crypt melt

Crypts drop their leaves when moved or when water parameters change. This is completely normal. Leave the roots in place — the plant will regrow from the roots within a few weeks.

Algae on leaves

Reduce light duration, check for nutrient imbalances, and add algae eaters like Nerite snails or Otocinclus.

Plants melting after arrival

Very common — plants are often grown emersed (above water) and need to transition to submerged growth. The emersed leaves will melt and new submerged leaves will grow. This is normal and not a cause for concern.

Slow or no growth

Check light duration and intensity. Add fertilizer. Consider CO2 injection for medium and high light plants.

8. Plants & Shrimp

Freshwater shrimp and live plants are a perfect combination. Shrimp benefit from plants in several ways:

  • Biofilm — shrimp constantly graze on biofilm that grows on all plant surfaces
  • Hiding spots — especially important for baby shrimp and molting shrimp
  • Water quality — plants absorb the ammonia and nitrates that are harmful to shrimp
  • Moss — aquatic moss is particularly beneficial — it's the best hiding spot for baby shrimp and a constant source of food

The best plants for shrimp tanks are Moss, Anubias, and Java Fern — all low maintenance and shrimp safe.

Ready to Plant Your Tank?

Browse our full selection of healthy aquatic plants at Razz Aquatics. Every order ships carefully packaged to arrive in excellent condition.

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Questions? Reach out through our contact form — we're always happy to help.

— Razz Aquatics 🌿

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