Floating Plants for a Fish Tank

Java Moss

• This rootless aquarium plant attaches itself to rough stones, bog wood and other rough surfaces in a fish tanks. Java moss does not need much sun exposure and thrives between the temperatures of 62 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit, making it an ideal floating plant for either non-heated or moderately-heated tanks. This floating plant is a good choice for fish tanks used for breeding, as it can be a spawning site for many species of fish, as well as a protective cover for new fish fry.

Riccia Fluitans

• This plant makes for a good decorative choice, because it has a vibrant, eye-catching green color and it contrasts well with most other aquarium plants. The thin strands of riccia fluitans mesh together to form a large clump that can either float on the top of the water or be tied down to a hard object in the fish tank, which it will eventually wrap itself around. Riccia fluitans can grow in almost any fish tank, as long as it has a lot of access to sunlight.

Pennywart

• Also known as water ivy, this plant grows roots but does not need to be buried in gravel. Pennywart requires a lot of nutrients, but does well in almost any aquarium and grows rapidly. Pennywart plant does well in both dim and bright lighting and can tolerate most levels of water hardness and pH levels.

Fontinalis Moss

• Commonly referred to as font, this moss looks a lot like java moss, but has a distinctive deep green color. Font grows small leaves along its stems and does well in dim and bright lighting. Unlike most floating aquarium plants, this moss grows better when the water is slightly acidic and can tolerate a pH level up to 8.

Azolla

• This plant also is known as fairy moss, even though it is not actually a moss, but a floating fern. Azolla's coloring depends on the amount of sunlight it receives. If azolla is in the shade, it tends to be green, and when it is exposed to a lot of sunlight, it can become a deep red color. This plant grows quickly and is useful in stopping algae from growing in your fish tank, because it blocks out essential sunlight and nutrients from getting to the algae.