Are you looking for a good plant to put in your aquarium?
Unfortunately, not a lot of plants can survive living with Goldfish as they like to munch on them which is why choosing a plant that isn’t appealing to the fish is crucial.
The Anacharis plant or Egeria densa is native to Canadian and American waters and is also known as waterweed. This plant produces small white flowers that bloom on the surface of the water.
But, is it a good choice for your fish tank?
In this post, we will go through everything you need to know about the water Anacharis plant such as its benefits, care, etc. and go through whether or not it is the right choice for your fish tank.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Care Level: | Easy |
Lighting: | Moderate |
Water Conditions: | 60-82°, KH 3-8 pH 6.5-7.5 |
Propagation: | Cutting |
Placement | Background |
A Quick Look at the Anacharis Plant for Aquariums
Did you know that the Anacharis plant is sold as Egeria densa, Ancharis, and Elodea densa?
Scientifically referred to as Egeria densa, the Anacharis plant belongs to the family of Hydrocharitaceae and the order Alismatales. The plant has looks similar to Hydrilla verticillata and Elodea canadensis.
The Egeria densa has large leaves and 4-6 whorls. The Elodea canadensis, on the other hand, has three whorls while the Hydrilla verticillata has around five.
Natively found in Argentina, Southeast Brazil, and Uruguay, this plant has also found its way to South and North America through fish stores. This dark green plant is quite catchy to the eye and appears to be lush in the aquarium.
You can find this perennial plant in slow-moving waters like canals, rivers, and streams, as well as lakes and ponds.
The beautiful thing about this plant is that in the wild, it rises and falls depending upon the temperature and time of day. When it’s warm during the day, this plant floats on the surface of the water. When it is cooler, the plant sinks and rests.
This plant can be seen growing in waters up to 13 feet ( 4 meters) deep.
This plant does well in a variety of water conditions which means that it can tolerate various levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH. This makes the plant an ideal choice for beginners.
It’s not as easy to kill as you think it is.
What You Should Look for When Buying Your Anacharis Plant
To ensure that the plant stays green and healthy, you should get one that is healthy, to begin with.
When you’re out to buy your Anacharis plant, you should look for one that has a sturdy stem and numerous leaves---preferably vibrant green in color. Keep in mind that healthy Anacharis leaves are flat and durable.
The stems of a healthy Anacharis plant is 6 to 8 inches in length.
Anacharis plants can have white string-like roots growing out of the stem. This is completely normal and even healthy.
However, you should avoid getting a plant that has limp stems or is dark green in color. If the plant’s leaves look like they’re dying, steer clear of that plant.
Anacharis Care 101: Things You Need to Know
As we mentioned in the previous section, taking care of the Anacharis plant is relatively easy which makes it an excellent choice for beginners.
Keeping the plant alive is not very challenging.
However, the challenge lies in controlling the plant’s growth. The Anacharis plant is suitable for any tank size, but, it has been known to get a little out of hand and, before you know it, overtake the entire tank!
Anacharis and the Water Temperature & pH
The temperature of the water isn’t a concern when you’re looking to grow the Anacharis plant in your tank. The plant does well in a temperature range of 72 – 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, people also have had success with the plant at temperatures as low as 60 degrees!
Recommended: Aquarium Thermometer
This plant is quite hardy.
The Anacharis does good in a wide range of water conditions. The plant really thrives on the hard side and does very well in pH 6.5 – 7.5 range.
Aquarium Lighting and the Anacharis Plant
Moderate light is all the Anacharis plant needs to do well.
While the Anacharis thrives in high light situations, the plant can die in low light conditions. Also, if the plant is kept in an intensely lit area for too long, you can find algae growing on the plant.
Planting The Anacharis Water Plant
Step one: Remove any rubber bands or other bands from the stems. These bands come in handy when purchasing and handling your plants, but, they are damaging to the stems and can actually cause them to die off or rot away.
Step two: Separate the bunched stems (as if you were handling a dozen roses). Check each stem for damage. If there is any apparent harm, then these pieces will need to be gently cut off.
Step three: Now it is time to plant! The side of the stem with the white roots should be buried under the gravel or substrate, about two inches and placed about an inch apart from each other.
Step four: Make sure to set the longer stems along the back side of the aquarium, outdoor pond or water garden. Shorter stems should be planted in front of them. The longer stems can also be used to hide any ugly equipment.
If you prefer to float your Anacharis Plants then simply follow step one (remove the bands) as well as step two (separate the stems and check for damage).
Then, instead of planting the stems in the gravel or substrate, just place them in the tank water.
They will grow much more quickly with the free floating method as their bodies are closer to the light source.
Who Else Would Benefit From The Anacharis Plant?
- Free floating plants are ideal for baby fry fish as it provides shelter and hiding places
- These plants consume fish waste, phosphates, ammonia, and Therefore, all tank inhabitants will benefit from their presence.
- African Cichlids will enjoy eating any algae that develop on the leaves as well as eating the plant itself.
- Snails (like Apple Snails) will benefit from the plant as a food source as well.
- If you add them to your outdoor pond or water garden where Koi fish are housed, then you can be sure that the Koi fish will make a meal or two out of them.
Summing it Up: The Anacharis Plant for Your Aquarium
Did we cover everything you needed to know about the Anacharis plant? If not, let us know what you want us to cover in the comments section!
The Anacharis plant is an excellent plant for beginner fish keepers. This plant is hardy in nature and can survive in a wide variety of aquarium and lighting conditions. This plant is also beautiful to look and adds character to your aquarium.
Keep in mind that when buying a plant, you should go for one that is vibrant green in color and has many leaves on it to ensure its health.