Plants for Brackish Water Aquariums
With the exception of mangrove tree seedlings and Java ferns, few species specifically suited to brackish water aquariums are commercially available. However, many of the marine algae discussed earlier will adapt to brackish water aquariums, if introduced with care. Always remember that these algae are living organisms and will be injured or killed if suddenly exposed to drastic changes in pH, temperature, or other environmental conditions. Many of the fish that are native to brackish waters feed voraciously upon plants and algae. Scats, in particular, are nearly impossible to keep in a planted aquarium. The vigorous swimming and digging activities of many mangrove fish also discourage the establishment of delicate plant and algae species.
The Java fern is the only true brackish water aquatic plant that you might find in the pet trade (mangroves are actually semiterrestrial in nature). It grows quite well under normal aquarium conditions, provided the tank is well lit. Although some fish will eat the leaves of the Java fern, it will regrow rapidly if maintained in a healthy environment.
Mangrove tree seedlings are occasionally available from suppliers in the southern part of the United States. They should be planted in mud or a similar substrate and are best suited for the semiterrestrial aquariums housing creatures such as fiddler crabs and mudskippers. Mangroves are neither aquatic nor terrestrial and are generally to be found with the roots submerged and the plant itself growing above the water.
