Low Growing Aquarium Plants: My Top Five

Designing your home aquarium is a lot like designing a garden. Since the fish tank will be looked at from the front, positioning aquatic plants correctly provides the best view. To decorate the front of your aquarium with plants, use low growing plants that will not get in the way. These low growers are also ideal for protecting fish fry and offering safe havens for other small inhabitants of your home aquarium.

Low Growing Aquarium Plant - Dwarf Japanese Rush

Dwarf Japanese Rush, or Acorus gramineous pusillus, is an aquarium plant that originates in eastern Asia. This low growing plant reaches only four inches, ten centimeters, tall, making it an ideal foreground plant in your tank. It is slow growing and does well in cold water aquariums. Resembling broad-bladed grass, it offers a place for smaller fish and fry to hide.

Low Growing Aquarium Plant - Dwarf Amazon Swordplant

Dwarf Amazon Swordplant is a variety of this popular aquarium plant that only grows up to eight inches, twenty centimeters, tall. It is a slow grower, so purchasing a young plant ensures an attractive foreground plant for quite a while. Like other sword plants, this one has broad leaves. It sends out runners to make young plants.

Low Growing Aquarium Plant - Hairgrass

Hairgrass, or Needlegrass, is another aquarium plant that does well in the front of the fish tank. Growing up to eight inches, twenty centimenters, tall, it has very narrow hair-like leaves. When this plant reaches maturity, is has small, dark bud clusters. This aquatic plant requires high lighting.

Low Growing Aquarium Plant - Java Moss

One of the most popular aquarium plants, Java Moss, Vesicularia dubyana, has many branches stems with tiny leaves on them. This plant will cling to rocks, driftwood, and fish tank decorations. It requires good light and protection from algae.

These low growing aquarium plants are ideal for the front section of your fish tank. To recreate a more natural ecosystem for your fresh water fish, including live plants is a must. By using shorter plants in the front of the aquarium, your view will not be compromised. Low growing aquarium plants provide safety for fry, small fish, and small aquatic invertebrates you might have in your fish tank. Choosing the right low growing fish tank plants is a must for a happy, healthy ecosystem.