Angelfish surface plants

[Zoeeannee]

When I get new plants I will sometimes unpack them and then leave them floating (often they will float to the surface) until I have time to place and plant them (only for a day whilst I go to work for the day before the TFF police start). Whenever I do this my angelfish LOVE swimming and resting in and amongst those plants. My question is, does anyone have suggestions for high density/high leaf floating plants? Or maybe plants that will grow tall and then once they hit the surface will spread out and cover the surface? I know frogbit will create roots to “hide” in but they just seem to love the leaf and plant cover so much so I would love to get them some plants that make them feel comfortable and happy

 

[itiwhetu]

You can leave any plants floating in your tank. Plants like Cabomba and Ambulia will grow to and across the surface of your tank.

 

[anewbie]

Water lettuce can get to a good size with the right condition. While it frequently stays about an inch across - i've had several with strong light reach 4 inches. The roots are similar to frogbit perhaps longer.

Pogostemon Stellatus Octopus can grow quite bushy at the surface - but if you don't trim it it will break the surface and produce a nice flower.

Jungle val and giant sword plants are options - my angels love zig zagging between the leaves of sword plants - ruffle is particularly good for this since it is fairly rigid and can reach 24+ inches. Jungle val can also do a good job though my complaint with it is that food gets trapped on the strips floating at the top - mine can easily reach 8 feet long 1 inch strips if left alone.

 

[Uberhoust]

I use water lettuce, java fern tie it to wood that is near the top of the tank. I also use Alternathica reineikii (spelling is wrong) but I find it grows a bit too dense for the angels to fully utilize the space around it, looks ok though.

 

[Zoeeannee]

Water lettuce can get to a good size with the right condition. While it frequently stays about an inch across - i've had several with strong light reach 4 inches. The roots are similar to frogbit perhaps longer.

Pogostemon Stellatus Octopus can grow quite bushy at the surface - but if you don't trim it it will break the surface and produce a nice flower.

Jungle val and giant sword plants are options - my angels love zig zagging between the leaves of sword plants - ruffle is particularly good for this since it is fairly rigid and can reach 24+ inches. Jungle val can also do a good job though my complaint with it is that food gets trapped on the strips floating at the top - mine can easily reach 8 feet long 1 inch strips if left alone.

When you say the right conditions for water lettuce - what are the right conditions?

 

[Zoeeannee]

When you say the right conditions for water lettuce - what are the right conditions?

I also love the sound of Pogostemon Stellatus Octopus - is this easily accessible? I don’t want to do Amazon swords because although I love how they look (and I already have 6 in my 300L) my angels seem to love large surface plants way more

 

[anewbie]

aquarium-coop sells pogostemon stellatus octopus as well as other stores but take a look at it on the web before making a decision.

 

[Colin_T]

Water Sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides/ cornuta).

 

[NannaLou]

Not a surface plant as such but I’ve got a dwarf tiger lotus (I’m a bit confused by the dwarf bit ) that has large leaves that float of the surface a bit like lily pads….