Goldfish are omnivores animals and can consume vegetation and meat. But can your goldfish eat live plants? Is it safe for them to eat plants? Let us discuss this below?
Goldfish are omnivores, so they can occasionally munch on your plants. While floating plants like water lettuce are a good snacking option for them, other plants like anubias and java fern are often ignored. Thus, using such plants can help break down ammonia and carbon dioxide in your aquarium.
Let us dive into the article to know more about goldfish. In this article, we will discuss the five best live plants for your goldfish aquarium.
Contents
What typically do goldfish eat?
| Goldfish Diet | Serving Quantity | No. of times |
|---|---|---|
| Pellets | A pinch | 2 times a day |
| Mosquito larvae | 12-15 | 2-3 times a week |
| Bananas (Chopped) | A small slice | 2 times a week |
| Zucchini ( Blanched) | A small slice | 3-4 times a week |
| Boiled carrot | A small slice | 3-4 times a week |
| Leafy greens ( kale, spinach, lettuce) | A small piece of leaf | 3-4 times a week |
Also read: What Do Goldfish Eat?
Do goldfish require plants in their tank?
Goldfish do not need a plant in their tank, but it is advisable to keep plants in your tank as it helps to create a healthy environment in the tank.
In addition to this, it also helps eliminate stress, carbon dioxide, and ammonia levels in the tank. We would want you to know that some goldfish like to munch on plants.
Goldfish’s natural habitat includes plants, so it will be a good idea to keep plants in their tank as it will help make the tank look like their natural environment and create an ecosystem.
Why do goldfish eat plants?
Goldfish are omnivores animals, so they feed on aquatic vegetation, fish eggs, larvae, and bloodworms, in their natural habitat.
Therefore we want you to know that goldfish do not have a stomach, so they cannot eat a lot of meat as it can lead to digestive issues in your fish.
So your goldfish diet must contain all greens and pellets to help them to stay fit and healthy.
What are the benefits of live plants in your goldfish tank?
There are numerous benefits of plants in your goldfish tank. Let us discuss some of them below:
- Live plants increase the oxygen level in the tank and reduce carbon dioxide and ammonia levels in the tank. So it helps your goldfish to get adequate oxygen in the tank, and they remain fit and healthy.
- Live plants also help reduce the stress of your goldfish by developing an ecosystem in your fish’s tank.
- Your goldfish can also feed on the live plants as they are omnivores.
- Live plants also make your goldfish tank look attractive.
- Live plants also help in preventing the growth of algae in your goldfish tank. It does it by using the nutrients produced by your goldfish waste, organic debris, and leftover food.
- Live plants in the tank also acts as a hiding spot for your goldfish.
These were some of the benefits of live plants in your goldfish tank. Therefore it will be advisable to place live plants in your goldfish aquarium so that your goldfish can stay fit and healthy.
Also read: Do Goldfish Need Hiding Places?
5 best live plants for your goldfish aquarium?
Here are the five best live plants for your goldfish aquarium:
Java Fern
Java fern, scientifically known as Microsporum Pteropus, is the most famous aquatic plant for your goldfish tank because of its narrow leaf, windelov, and needle leaf.
Java ferns are developed from two main components leaves and rhizomes. The rhizomes are dark brown hair-like strings that attach themselves to many surfaces.
The water temperature required for java fern is between 68-82 Fahrenheit. Therefore, it is effortless to maintain java fern and is the best option for your goldfish as they usually don’t eat them.
You will need low to moderate light in your tank as too much brightness can make its leaf look transparent. In addition, it will require a minimum 10-gallon tank as it can grow up to 13.5 inches.
It grows on rocks and ar the roots in its natural habitat with the waterfalls and rivers.
It is advisable not to bury the roots of the plant into the substrate as they will rot. Java ferns are also snail-resistant, making them develop better even with a lot of your goldfish food.
So java fern can be an ideal option for your goldfish tank.
Anubias ( Anubias barteri)
Anubias, scientifically known as Anubias barteri, originated in West Africa is a good option for your goldfish tank as it is darker than other plants.
The water temperature required for the plant is between 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit, and the aquarium ph level should range between 6.5 to 7.8. In addition, the plant lighting requirements are very simple, which makes them easier to maintain.
It can thrive in both low and higher levels of light. However, we would like you to know that anubias grows slowly in low-light tanks, but it multiplies in high-light tanks but has a chance of algae growth on the top of their leaves.
Your goldfish usually don’t prefer to eat an anubias plant, making it an ideal option for your goldfish tank.
Therefore, it will be advisable not to bury its root into the substrate as they will rot quickly. Furthermore, Anubias does not require any fertilizers, which makes it a good option for beginners.
Java Moss
Java moss, scientifically known as Taxiphyllum Barbieri, native from Southeast Asia, is a widespread aquatic plant used in freshwater aquariums and accepts all types of water.
The plant develops best at a water temperature between 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit and can survive in temperatures up to 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Your goldfish can nibble on java moss but will not eat them if they are well fed.
The aquarist raising fry and tadpoles use Java moss to guard them against cannibalistic adults. In addition, Java moss can thrive in both low and higher light levels, which makes it easier to maintain.
Java moss does not come with a root, so you let them flow in the tank or attach them to driftwood. Therefore java moss does not require any fertilizers, which makes it a good option for beginners.
Anacharis Plant ( Water seeds)
Anacharis plant, commonly known as water weeds, is a native American and Canadian water. There are several types of water weeds like hydrilla verticillata and Eregia densa, but Elodea canadensis is the most popular water weed.
The water temperature required for the plant is between 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit and can survive at a temperature up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Your goldfish likes to nibble on the plant, but it multiplies fast, so they will not get totally consumed by your fish.
Therefore, the aquarium ph level should range between 6.5 to 7.5. Anacharis plants can thrive in moderate light and do well with higher light levels but will not survive in low-light aquariums.
We want you to know that green hair algae or other algae can develop in the plant if the lights are too intense or on for too many hours.
Therefore we would advise you to avoid the plants with black or dark green leaves or the leaves that appear to be decaying, dying, or decomposing.
Cryptocoryne Plant
Cryptocoryne plant, commonly known as the crypt, is native to tropical parts of Asia and New Guinea, is a trendy aquarium plant.
Cryptocoryne is a slow-growing plant and does well with neutral ph and soft water. However, it does well in lower light levels, so it is advisable to place some floating plants to provide shade.
These are the five best live plants you can place in your goldfish aquarium.
Conclusion:
- Goldfish can eat plants as they are omnivores animals.
- Goldfish require plants in their tank to maintain adequate oxygen levels and helps them stay fit and healthy.
- Live plants also help to eliminate the growth of algae by the nitrate produced by your goldfish waste.
- Live plants also help eliminate the stress of your goldfish by developing an ecosystem in your fish’s tank.
Related Questions:
Can your goldfish eat apples?
Your goldfish can consume apple as it is a good source of many vitamins and nutrients required for proper growth and development.
However, serving apples for more than two days a week is advisable as your goldfish cannot handle too much sugar. Overeating apples can cause digestive issues in your goldfish.
Can your goldfish eat mosquito larvae?
Your goldfish can eat mosquito larvae as they hold all the necessary nutrients required for proper growth. However, it is advisable to feed 12-15 larvae not more than four times a week as excessive feeding can lead to digestive issues in your goldfish.
Reference: ResearchGate