Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've got a tank with guppy fry and wanna add some plants for cover. What's the best choice for small fry? My tank's a 10 gallon, low tech, with a sponge filter and LED lighting. Substrate is sand, and I do weekly water changes.

Java Moss is a solid pick, dude. It's easy to grow, gives fry tons of hiding spots, and doesn't need fancy lights. I've got it in my 20 gallon with cherry shrimp and they love it. Just tie it to a rock or driftwood.

I've had good luck with Hornwort. It grows fast, so it helps with water quality, and the fine leaves are perfect for fry to hide in. My tank's got a hang-on-back filter, but the fry don't get sucked in because the plants break up the flow.

Yeah, Java Moss is a classic, but don't sleep on Subwassertang. It's like a mini jungle for fry and stays low, so it's great for bottom dwellers too. My betta fry thrived in it, and it's chill with low light.

flakeon wrote: ↑Tue Sep 02, 2025 12:25 pm Java Moss is a solid pick, dude. It's easy to grow, gives fry tons of hiding spots, and doesn't need fancy lights. I've got it in my 20 gallon with cherry shrimp and they love it. Just tie it to a rock or driftwood.

Totally agree. I've also used Guppy Grass (Najas guadalupensis) because it's super easy and grows like crazy. My fry love darting through it, and it's great for oxygenating the water.

What about floating plants? Frogbit or Duckweed could work, right? They'd shade the tank a bit and give cover from above. My tank's got a sponge filter too, so the roots don't get tangled.

Floating plants are a good call, but Duckweed can take over fast. I'd go with Salvinia instead. It's easier to manage and still gives fry cover. My 15 gallon has it, and the fry hang out in the roots all the time.

I've tried all these, but my fry still get picked off. Maybe my tank's too crowded. How many plants do you guys usually add for a 10 gallon?

DuskHound wrote: ↑Wed Sep 03, 2025 1:48 am I've tried all these, but my fry still get picked off. Maybe my tank's too crowded. How many plants do you guys usually add for a 10 gallon?

You might need more dense plants or even a breeding box temporarily. In my 10 gallon, I use a mix of Java Moss, Hornwort, and a small clump of Subwassertang. The key is to create a thick enough barrier that adults can't easily get through.

I've heard Anacharis is good too. It's like Hornwort but stays a bit bushier. My fry tank's got a sand substrate, and the plants root easily. Plus, it's cheap and grows fast, so you can trim it back if it gets too wild.