Freshwater

Chapter 19: The Breeding Room
Plastic and live plants provide privacy and offer security.
Several species of fish use live plants in the construction of their nests.
Plastic and live plants serve as spawning sites for many species of fish.
Live plants remove carbon dioxide from the water and replace it
with oxygen.
Live plants cut down on algae present in the water by competing for the
same resources they require to survive.
Live plants are a natural food source.
A planted tank can make your fish think they’re in a natural environment,
which helps inspire and speed up their spawning plans.
Plants can provide protection and shelter when a spawning partner
becomes aggressive (and many do). You’re wise to always have several
thick plants on hand just in case the lovemaking reaches Round 15.
If those aren’t enough good reasons to use plants for spawning, we’ll never be
able to talk you into it!
Thoroughly clean any plants with room-temperature water that you choose
for your spawning tank before adding them to the tank. Plants often carry
snails and small nematodes (worms) that can potentially harm eggs and fry.
To be on the safe side, you can set up a separate tank to grow plants that can
be used especially for spawning.
In case you’re wondering what types of plants to use in your tank, we provide
you with a list to get you started in Table 19-1. Remember that many freshwater
plants have different pH and temperature requirements. So, check the list
in Table 19-1 and match the plant to your individual aquarium setup accordingly.
(See Chapters 16 and 17 for more on live plants and for explanations of
the terms we use to describe these plants.) By the way, dH means degrees of
hardness.
Table 19-1 Plants for Spawning Tanks
Name Temperature pH dH Planting Uses
Range Range Range Method
(in degrees F)
Amazon 72–83 6.5–7.5 2–15 Planted or For species
swordplant potted that prefer to
(Echinodorus spawn on large
bleheri) plant leaves
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