Tank full of Aquarium Plants

Can Dying Aquarium Plants Kill Fish

6 min read

Live aquarium plants are a great décor choice for your fish tank, but, as with any living thing, there is a chance for your beautiful aquatic plants to die, either partially or completely.

The question concerned aquarists may have is this: Can dying aquarium plants kill fish?

Let’s find out the answer in this post and also look at factors that lead to fish tank plants dying. We’ll also delve into how to keep aquarium plants alive.

Let’s get started. 

Benefits of Having A Fish Aquarium With Plants

Is there anything more beautiful in the hobby than a planted aquarium where the fish weave in and out of the lush greenery?

Only a few serious hobbyists opt out of using aquarium plants – they look so good and make the tank look so in-tune with nature.

Besides the aesthetic appeal, aquarium plants offer many other benefits, as follows.

• Converts CO2 to Oxygen – Fish need oxygen like the rest of us; plants help convert carbon dioxide into this vital gas.

• Absorbs Ammonia and Nitrates – Ammonia, and the byproducts of it including nitrite and nitrate, are toxic to fish; plants help by absorbing these chemicals to a certain extent. 

• Reduces Growth of Algae – Plants compete with algae for the same resources, essentially checking the growth of these unwanted organisms.

• Provides Hiding Spots – Fish under stress or harassment from other fish can take refuge between the leaves. 

Aquarium plants are such a nice addition to your tank, but they can sometimes die due to various reasons. 

Signs of plants in fish tank dying include parts of the plant losing color and becoming translucent. 

The leaves also start to turn mushy, which will feel sticky and slimy to the touch. And the smell of decomposing plant matter is unmistakable – it’s quite unpleasant.

Can Dying Aquarium Plants Kill Fish

The question is, do dying aquarium plants take down the fish with them?

Yes, there is a real risk of fish dying in planted aquarium from the death of plant life – the risk is higher if a large amount of plant matter is dead. 

You see, death of any organism is followed by the decomposition of it, which causes a host of issues in an aquarium. 

First off, decomposition releases ammonia, which is downright toxic to fish. Although dead plants don’t release as much ammonia as dead animals, the risk is still there. 

single fish in an aquarium with aquarium plants

Decomposition is also a process that uses up oxygen, which creates a risk of your fish suffocating, especially if the oxygen levels are low to begin with.

Moreover, decaying plants in aquarium increase the water pH; as you may know, certain fish are comfortable in certain ranges of pH. A higher pH also makes it harder for fish to process oxygen, so, coupled with the previous point, your fish will really struggle for oxygen.

A decomposing environment invites all sorts of bacteria and fungi to grow in your tank, some of which may be harmful to your fish.

Why Are My Plants Dying In My Fish Tank

Generally, plants die if they don’t get the necessary resources to sustain themselves. One of the most important necessities for plants is light.

Light is their only source of energy; lack of light leads to poor growth and yellowing of leaves, and eventually to the demise of the plants.

Plants also require nutrients such as nitrogen, iron, sulfur, potassium, phosphorus, phosphate, and magnesium – without these vital minerals, plants struggle and die. 

Algae, often an uninvited guest in aquariums, compete with plants for light and nutrients, making life hard for them. Growth of too much algae can strangle your fish.

Also, many aquarists like to use aquarium salt for their tanks, but too much salt used for too long can be harmful for aquatic plants. Avoid dosages of more than 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons.

Transition stress is another thing to watch out for – it may be the reason why your new aquarium plants keep dying.

Transition stress happens when a plant is transferred from one environment to another with different conditions – the plant struggles at first to adapt to the new environment.

Much of this has to do with the fact that it takes time for the roots to, well, take root in the aquarium substrate – the plants will be very vulnerable during this time.

Lastly, physical damage to the plants, either by the fish or by your careless handling, can cause it to die, especially if it is the roots that are damaged. 

How to Keep Aquarium Plants Alive

You can do these things to make sure your beautiful aquarium plants stay alive and not cause any danger to the fish. 

1. Get Proper Lighting

Make sure your plants get an ample amount of light. Most plants need about 10-12 hours of light per day.

If you have red plants, you need even more light to satisfy their energy requirements.

Avoid sunlight as the source of energy, since it can cause the growth of algae – get aquarium lights instead. White lightsshould do the trick – it includes the entire RGB spectrum needed by plants.

Remember that if the water is cloudy, light will not reach your plants at the bottom, so make sure your water is clear at all times. 

2. Use Fertilizer for Your Plants

An aquarium is a closed system; although your plants get some nutrients from animal waste and uneaten food, it may not be enough.

It may be a good idea to get an NPK fertilizer for your tank. Nitrogen and phosphorous are naturally occurring in an aquarium, but not Potassium.

Do not use regular terrestrial fertilizer – get one specifically made for aquariums. Also, do not exceed the recommended dose.

3. Get Algae Eaters 

a red cherry shrimp swimming around green aquatic plants

Excess algae can outcompete plants for resources; you cannot strip your tank of these resources either, as your plants need them too. 

One way out of this dilemma is the use of algae eaters such as plecos, shrimps, nerite snails, etc. Make sure any creature you get doesn’t eat the plants as well, which will beat the whole purpose. 

4. Provide CO2 for Plants

CO2 is another vital component for photosynthesis; it is true that fish release some CO2 from respiration, but it may not be enough. 

You should have CO2 concentrations of between 20 and 30 mg/l in your fish aquarium with plants. Install a CO2 injecting device if it is lacking.

5. Choose Healthy Plants

Healthy plants can withstand transition stress better, so choose well when you are getting it for the first time. 

Most stores sell emersed plants, which will struggle to adapt to a submerged environment. 

Try getting submerged plants instead – you can reach out to your fellow hobbyists for help.

Conclusion

Dying aquarium plants can indeed kill fish. Decomposition of dead plant matter releases toxic ammonia and uses up valuable oxygen in the tank. 

So it is important to make sure your aquatic plants stay alive – they don’t look that beautiful otherwise. 

With healthy living plants, you will have a beautiful and vibrant aquarium that will be filled with lively fish. 

Thanks for reading.

Written by:

Pet Aquariums

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