Top 10 Plants for Shrimp Tanks (And How to Care for Them)

Table of Contents

• Why Do Plants Matter in Shrimp Tanks?
• What Is Java Moss and How Do I Care for It?
• What Makes Anubias a Good Choice for Shrimp Tanks?
• How Do I Plant and Care for Java Fern?
• Why Do Shrimp Love Cryptocoryne?
• What Are the Benefits of Dwarf Water Lettuce in a Shrimp Tank?
• How Does Frogbit Help Maintain a Healthy Shrimp Tank?
• Why Is Hornwort a Popular Choice for Shrimp Tanks?
• What Is Subwassertang and Why Is It Great for Shrimp Tanks?
• How Do Marimo Moss Balls Benefit My Shrimp Tank?
• Why Should I Add Bucephalandra to My Shrimp Tank?
• What Are the Best Practices for Plant Care and Maintenance?

Why Do Plants Matter in Shrimp Tanks?

Let us quickly recap why plants are a big deal in shrimp tanks:

• Water Purifiers: They soak up all the bad stuff like nitrates and ammonia, keeping the water cleaner. It is like having a built-in maintenance crew.
• Shrimp Hideouts: When shrimp molt, they are looking for a safe place to lay low. Plants give them that spot to hide and chill out until they are ready to face the world again.
• Biofilm Buffet: Plants grow biofilm, which shrimp devour. It is basically the shrimp version of an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Now, let us break down these 10 plants, and I will give you care tips for each one, along with everything we have already covered.

What Is Java Moss and How Do I Care for It?

Java Moss is the kind of plant you can set and forget. It thrives without a lot of fuss, which is probably why it is such a hit in shrimp tanks. Plus, shrimp love crawling through its dense, lush growth.

Why Shrimp Love It: The moss grows into thick, bushy patches where shrimp can hide and lay eggs. The biofilm that forms on it is a constant snack source for shrimp.

How to Plant It: Attach it to rocks, driftwood, or other tank decorations using cotton thread or aquarium-safe glue. For more on the benefits of moss, check out this guide on the best moss for shrimp tanks.

Care Tips:

• Java Moss is pretty hardy. It will thrive in low-light setups, but if you want faster growth, give it moderate light.
• It does not need CO2, but it will grow faster if you add some.
• Give it a little trim every now and then to keep it from overtaking your tank. Seriously, this stuff grows fast if you let it.
• You might want to rinse it gently during water changes to get rid of any gunk that collects in it.

What Makes Anubias a Good Choice for Shrimp Tanks?

Anubias is tough. Like, “throw anything at it, and it will keep going” tough. If you are new to aquarium plants or just want something that requires almost no maintenance, this is your plant.

Why Shrimp Love It: Its broad leaves give shrimp a cool place to hide and rest, and it is a great surface for biofilm to grow.

How to Plant It: Do not bury the rhizome. Instead, tie or glue it to driftwood or a rock so the roots can latch on.

Care Tips:

• It loves low to medium light. Too much light, and algae will start to grow on its leaves.
• Like Java Moss, Anubias does not need CO2. Keep it simple, and it will be happy.
• Clean the leaves if they get covered in algae. Just wipe them down gently during water changes.
• If you notice the leaves turning yellow, it might need a little more nutrients. You can add root tabs or liquid fertilizer, but do not go overboard.

How Do I Plant and Care for Java Fern?

Java Fern is another easy-going plant. It looks cool, grows well in low light, and shrimp love hanging out around its big, leafy fronds.

Why Shrimp Love It: The leaves give shrimp a place to hide, and like Anubias, biofilm grows on them, so shrimp always have something to snack on.

How to Plant It: Like Anubias, Java Fern should not be buried in the substrate. Just tie or glue it to a rock or driftwood, and it will start growing.

Care Tips:

• Low light is perfect for this plant. Too much light will cause algae to take over.
• It grows slowly, but you do not need to fertilize it unless you want faster growth.
• Like Anubias, it does not need CO2. It is a true low-tech plant.
• You might see some black spots on the leaves. This is normal for Java Fern and not a sign that it is dying.

Why Do Shrimp Love Cryptocoryne?

Crypts are solid choices for shrimp tanks. They are hardy, low-maintenance, and come in different colors. The best part? They are pretty forgiving if you mess up a little with the tank conditions.

Why Shrimp Love It: The broad, dense leaves provide plenty of shelter for shrimp, and Crypts give your tank a cool, natural look.

How to Plant It: Crypts go in the substrate. Dig a small hole, plant the roots, and make sure not to bury the crown (the part where the leaves come out).

Care Tips:

• Crypts can “melt” when you first plant them. The leaves may die off, but do not worry. New growth will come in as long as you keep the water stable.
• It loves low to medium light, so no need to blast your tank with heavy lighting.
• You can use root tabs if you want, but Crypts are pretty self-sufficient.
• CO2 is not necessary, but again, if you want faster growth, a little CO2 will help.

What Are the Benefits of Dwarf Water Lettuce in a Shrimp Tank?

Now, let us get into some floating plants. Dwarf Water Lettuce is great for shrimp tanks because it provides a ton of shade and helps soak up excess nutrients.

Why Shrimp Love It: The roots dangle into the water, creating a forest-like space where shrimp can hide and graze.

How to Plant It: Just toss it in! It floats on the surface, and the roots hang down, giving shrimp a place to hide.

Care Tips:

• Dwarf Water Lettuce grows fast. You will need to thin it out regularly, or it will cover your whole tank.
• Keep an eye on your light. It prefers moderate light, but too much light can cause it to grow even faster.
• It loves nutrients, so if your tank has a lot of fish or shrimp, it will thrive. If you are running a lean setup, you might want to dose with some liquid fertilizer.
• Good water flow will keep its roots from getting too tangled up.

How Does Frogbit Help Maintain a Healthy Shrimp Tank?

Frogbit is another awesome floating plant. It looks great and provides shade for shrimp who like to stay out of the spotlight.

Why Shrimp Love It: Just like the Dwarf Water Lettuce, its long roots give shrimp plenty of places to hide, and it helps keep the water clean.

How to Plant It: Same deal as Water Lettuce — toss it in, and let it float around.

Care Tips:

• Frogbit can grow fast, so keep an eye on it. You will need to thin it out regularly.
• It prefers medium light, but too much light can cause it to grow too quickly.
• Like Water Lettuce, it will do well with a lot of nutrients, but if your tank is low on nutrients, give it some fertilizer.
• Make sure it does not block all the light from reaching your other plants.

Why Is Hornwort a Popular Choice for Shrimp Tanks?

Hornwort is the kind of plant that can handle pretty much anything. It does not need to be rooted and can survive in a wide range of conditions.

Why Shrimp Love It: The fine, needle-like leaves give shrimp a place to hide, and it is great at soaking up excess nutrients from the water.

How to Plant It: You can let it float freely or anchor it down with a weight. No roots, no problem.

Care Tips:

• Hornwort can handle low to high light. It is not picky.
• If you want to keep it compact, you will need to trim it regularly. This plant grows fast in the right conditions.
• Like floating plants, Hornwort will thrive in nutrient-rich water. If your tank is low on nutrients, consider adding some liquid fertilizer.
• Watch out for shedding. Hornwort can drop needles, which can clog filters. Learn more about how to keep your aquarium clean here.

What Is Subwassertang and Why Is It Great for Shrimp Tanks?

This plant is a bit of a hidden gem in the aquarium world. Subwassertang is a funky little plant that shrimp seem to love.

Why Shrimp Love It: Its loose, frilly bunches give shrimp plenty of places to hide and graze. Plus, it looks like a cool underwater bush.

How to Plant It: You can either tie it to rocks or let it float freely. It is a bit like Java Moss in that way.

Care Tips:

• Subwassertang does well in low to medium light. Too much light, and it might start growing algae.
• It grows slowly, so you will not need to worry about it taking over the tank.
• It does not need CO2, but a little extra nutrients will help it grow faster.
• If it starts looking messy, give it a trim to keep it looking nice and tidy.

How Do Marimo Moss Balls Benefit My Shrimp Tank?

Who does not love Marimo Moss Balls? They are cute, easy to care for, and shrimp cannot get enough of them.

Why Shrimp Love It: Shrimp love picking biofilm and bits of debris off these little green puffballs.

How to Plant It: No planting required! Just toss them in, and they will roll around the bottom of your tank.

Care Tips:

• Marimo Moss Balls prefer low light. Too much light can cause them to turn brown.
• Every few weeks, give them a gentle squeeze to get rid of any gunk that builds up inside.
• If you want to keep them round, rotate them now and then so they do not flatten out on one side.
• You can add them to almost any tank, and they will help soak up nitrates.

Why Should I Add Bucephalandra to My Shrimp Tank?

Bucephalandra (or “Buce” for short) is a beautiful plant that is perfect for shrimp tanks. It comes in all kinds of colors and leaf shapes, making it a great choice if you want to add a little variety to your tank.

Why Shrimp Love It: Like Anubias and Java Fern, shrimp love picking at the biofilm that grows on Buce. It grows slowly, so it will not take over your tank.

How to Plant It: Tie or glue it to rocks or wood. Keep the rhizome out of the substrate.

Care Tips:

• Buce can handle low to medium light. Too much light can cause algae growth on the leaves.
• It does not need CO2, but if you are looking to encourage faster growth, a little CO2 will help.
• Like other slow-growing plants, algae can be an issue, so keep the light levels moderate, and clean the leaves if needed.
• Trim dead or decaying leaves to keep it looking its best.

What Are the Best Practices for Plant Care and Maintenance?

Taking care of these plants is not hard, but it is important to keep an eye on your tank conditions. Good lighting, regular water changes, and a balanced nutrient level will keep both your plants and shrimp thriving. Mix and match these plants for variety, and make sure your shrimp have enough places to hide, snack, and just be shrimp.

Alright, ready to grab some plants and start making your shrimp tank look (and feel) like an underwater paradise?And hey, if you have questions, drop a comment. I love talking about this stuff, and I am here to help!