An orchid in an aquarium sounds like an idea straight out of science fiction. At first glance, it seems impossible — orchids are delicate terrestrial plants, while aquariums are an entirely aquatic world. Yet this seemingly absurd combination is not only possible but can result in a truly spectacular display.
Discus and aquarium plants seem like difficult concepts to combine. Nevertheless, there are some tricks to help try on these neighbors.
The Madagascar lace plant is known to most aquarists who are passionate about aquatic flora or have at least once browsed through an aquarium plant catalog. Within the Aponogeton genus, this specimen is rightfully considered the most spectacular. Few books on aquarium plants fail to mention this amazing creation of nature. However, it is very rarely seen in our aquariums. This is due to the relative difficulty of its maintenance and propagation.
Tiger Lotus is one of the most decorative aquarium plants, valued for its beautiful variegated submerged leaves. While it can produce floating leaves on the water surface, it’s the underwater foliage with characteristic tiger-like patterns that makes this plant particularly attractive to aquarists.
Certain aquarium setups—breeding tanks or grow-out systems—function better without plants, where dense vegetation would interfere with their primary purpose. But these are specialized cases.
Aponogeton ulvaceus was first described by Baker in 1881 and entered the aquarium hobby in 1926. Since then, it has gained popularity among aquarists worldwide, though it remains relatively rare in home aquariums due to specific care requirements that challenge beginners and experienced hobbyists alike.
Echinodorus florensis belongs to a numerous genus rich in diverse species. The natural diversity is constantly replenished with new artificially obtained hybrids. Such man-made hybrids are Echinodorus florens or Echinodorus veronica.
Cryptocoryne blassa is another member of the wonderful genus Cryptocoryne. Like its other close relatives Cryptocoryne blassa is very decorative. But there are also nice differences from its other relatives, namely it is resistant to “Cryptocoryne disease”, which makes it even more attractive for both novice amateurs and pros. It is a large, heat-loving species that decorates the background beautifully. Still don’t have one in your tropical aquarium? You should…
The marimo moss ball, scientifically known as Aegagropila linnaei, was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Often found in literature under the outdated name Cladophora aegagropila, this unusual colony of green algae has been a beloved aquarium inhabitant for generations thanks to its undemanding nature and distinctive appearance. When cut open, it can be transformed into a living green carpet for creating picturesque underwater lawns.