Best Plants for Angelfish: Top Kinds and Species for a Perfect Aquarium

Angelfish are beautiful fish that need a tank that is full of plants. Many different types of plants can be used in an angelfish tank, but some of the best plants for an angelfish tank are Java Fern, Anubias, and Cryptocoryne. These plants help to provide shelter for the angelfish, and they also provide food for the angelfish.

Additionally, the garden dragonfly nymph is a popular choice for angelfish. An alternative to the traditional pond plants, like water lilies and bog myrtle that have been used over many generations in fish-keeping communities, are house plants rooted in cleanly obtained peat moss. However, these sorts of house plant growing mediums may not be non-toxic enough for many other species’ safety considerations – though when cleaning your tank, it might be a good idea to rinse the plants and leaves thoroughly before adding them back.

Do Angelfish Need Live Plants?

No, angelfish do not necessarily need live plants in their tanks. While some species of angelfish may enjoy having a few floating plants in the tank, most prefer a substrate with plenty of hiding spots. Therefore, finding an aquarium plant compatible with your angelfish environment and personality is best. In addition, some angelfish owners use floating plants as an aesthetic enhancement rather than a necessity.

Do Angelfish Eat Plants?

Angelfish are not known for their voracious appetite, but some may nibble on live plants from time to time. In addition, angelfish very rarely eat snails, so they’re unlikely to do any harm in an aquarium with live plants. In addition, angelfish will happily eat fruit flies- and other smaller insects.

What Types of Plants Can You Put in Your Angelfish Aquarium?

Floating Aquarium Plants

Some plants that can be used in an aquarium as floating plants are duckweed, water lilies, bog myrtle, and the garden dragonfly nymph. These plants help to provide a natural look and feel to an aquarium while providing food and oxygen for the fish. In addition, these plants help to keep the water clean and oxygenated. These fish tanks may have an abundance of algae but will lack some material such as driftwood, shells, or rocks, provided they were not put into the tank too early on when frozen temperatures would kill them.

Substrate Aquarium Plants

The substrate aquarium plants used in a fish tank are Java Fern, Anubias, and Cryptocoryne. These plants help to provide shelter for the angelfish, and they also provide food for the angelfish. Some of these aquatic plant species have fuzz on their leaves which helps to reduce light reflection from neighboring surfaces. This reduces the amount of energy an angelfish needs to produce pigment in its skin coloration, which gives it a dull appearance or makes it blend into less conspicuous surroundings when spawning.

These plants help to cover up the substrate of the aquarium while also providing hideouts for fish as well as plant growth aeration. Additionally, these plants provide an organic source of nutrients to the water while adding beauty and color to an otherwise drab setting.

Background Midground Aquarium Plants

When choosing plants for a background midground aquarium, it is essential to consider the type of fish that will be kept in the tank. For example, trailing aquarium plants would not be a good choice if you have a cichlid or other fast-moving fish in your tank and you want plant growth to slow down for them. Some types of plants that can be used as background midground aquarium plants include Anubias, java ferns, and water sprite.

What Aquarium Plants Are Suitable for Angelfish?

Most aquarium plants are not suitable for angelfish because you can eat them. Some of the more common fish that eat plants include primates, cichlids, and golden Severums. In addition, angelfish require a diet that provides for freshwater shrimp and other small invertebrates.

Amazon Swords

The Amazon Sword is a trendy aquarium plant because it is attractive and hardy. The leaves are green, and the stem is strong, making this plant suitable for covering substrate or attaching to rocks in an aquarium. Additionally, the flowers of the Amazon sword add beauty to an otherwise drab tank setting.

Water Sprite

Water sprite is a popular aquarium plant because it is hardy and grows quickly. The leaves are green, and the flowers give off a sweet aroma that attracts angelfish.

Java Fern

Java fern is another popular choice for background midground aquarium plants because it is attractive and hardy. The leaves are green, and the stem can grow up to 10 inches long.

Jungle Vallisneria

Jungle Vallisneria is attractive because it has green and red leaves. The reddish leaves can add a splash of color to an otherwise drab background midground aquarium environment.

Dwarf Tiger Lotus

Dwarf Tiger Lotus is a hardy aquarium plant that can grow up to 30 inches tall. The leaves are green, and the flowers add beauty to an otherwise drab tank setting. In addition, the plant can tolerate high levels of water chlorination.

Water Wisteria

Water Wisteria is a popular aquarium plant because it grows quickly and has beautiful flowers. The leaves are green, and the flowers can be pink, purple, or white.

Hornwort

Hornwort is an attractive plant because it grows in dry and wet environments. The leaves are gray-green, and the stem can grow up to 2 feet long.

Ambulia

Ambulia is an attractive aquarium plant that proliferates and has blue-green leaves. The flowers can be white, yellow, or pink and add a touch of color to an otherwise drab setting.

Water Lettuce

Water lettuce is a popular aquarium plant because it grows quickly and has beautiful floating leaves. The flowers are blue, and the leaves can grow up to 6 inches tall. In addition, the plant tolerates high levels of water chlorination.

Anubias

Anubias is an attractive aquarium plant with long leaves and floating flowers. The leaves can grow up to 40 cm long, and the flowers can be white, pink, or purple.

Dwarf Sagittaria

Dwarf Sagittaria is a popular aquarium plant with floating leaves and green flowers. The leaves can grow up to 12 inches long, and the flowers can be yellow, white, or red.

What’s the Best Plant Substrate for Angelfish?

There isn’t a definitive answer to this question since angelfish prefer varied surroundings and can tolerate various substrate types. Some common choices for angelfish substrates include neurite gravel, java moss, and live aquatic plants. In addition, a variety of sand is acceptable for angelfish. 

Whether or not a substrate of any type should be used in an aquarium depends on the species and size and other environmental factors such as lighting conditions. What matters most is that there are good hiding places to hide, so it’s best to determine what kind would work best based on your unique situation.