Goldfish are notoriously hard on plants. And most just can’t hold up to their relentless nibbling and constant digging.
But, there are some plants that can handle them, and some tactics you can deploy to make your life easier.
Here’s what you need to know about Goldfish and plants.
Overview Of Goldfish Plants
I personally favor the Java fern and anubias species. I think they’re the easiest to grow and most fish seem to think they taste really gross.
Preview | Product | |
---|---|---|
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Crinum Calamistratum Live Aquarium Plants Easy Aquatic Plants | Buy on Amazon |
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Anubias Congensis Live Aquatic Potted Plant for Aquarium Freshwater Fish Tank by Greenpro | Buy on Amazon |
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Water Fern Bolbitis Heudelotii Potted Live Aquarium Plant Fresh Water Plants by Greenpro | Buy on Amazon |
|
Buy2get1free,same plant Java Fern, Microsorum Pteropus Potted Plant Ps117, Live Aquarium Plant | Buy on Amazon |
|
Cryptocoryne balansae - P035 - live aquarium plant. Buy 2 gets 1 FREE same plants | Buy on Amazon |
|
Cryptocoryne Retrospiralis Rooted Bundle Freshwater Live Aquarium Plants Decoration | Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Plants for Goldfish Reviewed
1. Crinum calamistratum
- Growth rate: slow
- Max height: 4 feet (1.2 meters)
- Light demands: medium
- CO2: not required
- Difficulty: medium
Calamistratum is a really crazy looking plant with long crinkly leaves. I’ve always thought it looks like something Dr. Suess would draw.
This plant grows very slowly, very, very slowly. It may take it over a year to get established in your tank and start putting out new leaves.
Calamistratum leaves are very tough, which discourages goldfish from munching on them. But, if you’re looking for a fast-growing, immediate gratification type plant, this is not the one for you.
This is a rooted plant that will need to be potted so it doesn’t get uprooted constantly.
Pros:
- Unique leaf structure makes this plant stand out
- Goldfish don’t like the taste
- Loves hard water
Cons:
- Extremely slow growing, can take a year or more to become truly established
- Can be pretty pricey
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Anubias barteriÂ
- Growth rate: slow
- Max height: 6 inches (15 centimeters)
- Light demands: low
- CO2: not required
- Difficulty: easy
I love this species. I have several of these growing on driftwood in one of my tanks. This is a smaller anubias species that grows from a central rhizome and puts out rounded leaves.
It thrives in low light conditions and is a hardy, undemanding plant.
It’s a slow growing species, putting out a new leaf every 6 weeks or so.
Anubias must be attached to driftwood, rocks or decor. It will rot if it’s rhizome is buried in the substrate.
You can use Krazy Glue (contains cyanoacrylate, which will set up even on a wet surface) to attach the plants to an object.
Use just a dot to adhere the rhizome to the decor. Over time, the roots will grow and attach themselves to any porous object, even resin decor.
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pro Tip: You don’t have to fork out the extra money for expensive “aquarium glue.” Regular (and much cheaper) “super glue” will work just fine. Just search online for the ingredients and make sure it contains cyanoacrylate.
Pros:
- Hardy, attractive plant
- Easy to attach to rocks/decor
- Tough leaves don’t taste good
Cons:
- Slow growing plant
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Anubias congensis
- Growth rate: slow
- Max height: 6 inches (15 centimeters)
- Light demands: low
- CO2: not required
- Difficulty: easy
This is another tough plant, but the leaves are much longer, more slender and pointed.
Just like Anubias barteri, it grows from a rhizome that can be glued or tied to rocks or other decor.
Pros:
- Hardy, attractive plant
- Easy to attach to rocks/decor
- Tough leaves don’t taste good
Cons:
- Slow growing plant
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Bolbitis heudelotii – African water fern
- Growth rate:
- Max height: 16 inches (40 centimeters)
- Light demands: low
- CO2: not required
- Difficulty: medium
This is another favorite of mine. Basically, if you like the look of terrestrial plants like Boston ferns you’ll enjoy this plant.
This species is also a slow growing plant. It can take weeks for a single leaf to grow and unfurl. But, it looks so nice in the tank that it’s totally worth the wait.
Also, African water fern thrives in the same hard water conditions that goldfish favor.
Just like anubias, this is a plant that does best attached to something like rocks or driftwood.
Goldfish usually don’t like the taste of this plant, but as a downside, it’s leaves can get clogged up with algae since it grows so slowly.
Pros:
- Attractive plant that tastes terrible to goldfish
Cons:
- Very slow growing
- Algae can take over
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pro Tip: You can use fishing line to tie plants to rocks and decor, but honestly, Krazy Glue is a lot easier and more secure.
5. Leptochilus pteropus – Java fern
- Growth rate: slow
- Max height: 8 inches (20 centimeters)
- Light demands: low
- CO2: not required
- Difficulty: easy
I always recommend this species as the best beginner plant in the hobby. Java fern is tough as nails, is easy to grow and will tolerate low light conditions.
This is another plant that grows from a rhizome that should be attached to rocks or driftwood.
Java fern has a bad taste that most fish don’t care for, which should keep goldfish from munching on it.
It is a slow growing plant that will only put out a leaf every few weeks.
Pros:
- Really tough plant, great for beginners
Cons:
- Slow growing
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Cryptocoryne balansae
- Growth rate: medium
- Max height: 36 inches (91 centimeters)
- Light demands: moderate
- CO2: not required
- Difficulty: medium
Crypts are a rooted plant so you will need to put them pots or else your goldfish will pull them up.
This plant requires a bit more care than something like anubias or Java fern. So this might not be the best plant for an absolute beginner.
Crypts also tend to “melt,” meaning that foliage dies back until the plant gets established and starts putting out new growth.
But, it is a large showpiece plant that makes a gorgeous centerpiece.
This plant does require regular fertilization and will do best planted in a nutrient rich plant substrate.
Pros:
- Large beautiful plant
Cons:
- Requires more advanced care
- Crypts can “melt”Â
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7. Cryptocoryne retrospiralis
- Growth rate: medium
- Max height: 24 inches (60 centimeters)
- Light demands: moderate
- CO2: not required
- Difficulty: easy
This is another crypt species, that doesn’t get quite as large, but requires less care Cryptocoryne balansae.
It should be potted to protect it from being uprooted.
What I like best about retrospiralis is that the leaves are wavy and crinkly. I think plants like this always add interesting contrasts and textures to a planted tank.
Retrospiralis is a bit more beginner friendly, but is still subject to melt and would do best with some added fertilization.
Pros:
- Easier care than other crypts
Cons:
- Has to be pottedÂ
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusions
Goldfish are notoriously hard on plants. Many plant species can’t hold up to their relentless nibbling and constant digging.
It’s important to keep in mind that some goldfish (like common and comet goldfish) may be so ravenous that they’ll tear apart even the hardiest plants.
But, using plants that are tough, taste bad and/or can be attached to rocks can make it possible to have a beautiful and natural backdrop for your fish.
I especially favor the Java fern and anubias species. I think they’re the easiest to grow and most fish seem to think they taste really gross.
I wish you and your fish the best of luck!
Preview | Product | |
---|---|---|
|
Crinum Calamistratum Live Aquarium Plants Easy Aquatic Plants | Buy on Amazon |
|
Anubias Congensis Live Aquatic Potted Plant for Aquarium Freshwater Fish Tank by Greenpro | Buy on Amazon |
|
Water Fern Bolbitis Heudelotii Potted Live Aquarium Plant Fresh Water Plants by Greenpro | Buy on Amazon |
|
Buy2get1free,same plant Java Fern, Microsorum Pteropus Potted Plant Ps117, Live Aquarium Plant | Buy on Amazon |
|
Cryptocoryne balansae - P035 - live aquarium plant. Buy 2 gets 1 FREE same plants | Buy on Amazon |
|
Cryptocoryne Retrospiralis Rooted Bundle Freshwater Live Aquarium Plants Decoration | Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Are live plants good for goldfish?
Live plants can be highly beneficial in a goldfish tank. Actually, they’re helpful in most kinds of freshwater aquariums. It’s just that some species of fish tend to destroy live plants.
Fish poop breaks down in the aquarium and puts off nitrate (NO3-). Nitrate builds up over time, and left on its own, it can even build up to toxic levels.
Live plants use nitrate for food, sucking it up from the substrate and/or directly from the water column.
Goldfish are eating machines that produce a lot of waste. So any little thing that you can do to keep the water clean is a bonus in my opinion.
Are goldfish hard on plants?
Yes, yes they are. Really, really hard on them.
In fact, I would even kind of say that they are total terrors when it comes to plants.
Goldfish think that live plants placed in their tank are a delicious salad bar. They’ll gulp and nibble anything tasty they can get their mouths on.
They also love to dig around in the substrate. So they often uproot plants as they endlessly nose around, looking for food.
But, this doesn’t mean that keeping plants in your goldfish tank is impossible.
Pro Tip: It’s a lot easier to keep plants with fancy goldfish. It may be next to impossible to keep plants alive in a tank with comets or common goldfish.
What makes a good goldfish plant?
The most important thing is plants have to be hardy. Very hardy in fact.
Sorry, but delicate showpiece plants with exacting demands will probably just die from the abuse found in a goldfish tank.
You need plants that are practically bombproof.
It’s best to go with plants that do not need to be rooted in the substrate. There are several species of aquarium plants that can be attached to rocks, driftwood or decor instead of being buried in the gravel.
Also, plants like Java fern and anubias have tough leaves and a yucky taste. Goldfish are less likely to eat them since they taste gross.
Can you keep rooted plants in a goldfish tank?
Yes, but it will take a bit of extra work.
The best way to do this is to place your plants in pots. Goldfish have a harder time digging around in the top of a pot than they do gravel substrate.
In my experience, terracotta and ceramic pots are best, especially for larger plants.