Aquatic plants are used to give the aquarium a natural appearance, oxygenate the water, and provide habitat for fish, especially fry (babies) and for invertebrates. Some aquarium fish and invertebrates also eat live plants. Hobby aquarists use aquatic plants for aquascaping.

Marine algae are also included in this list for convenience, despite the fact that many species are technically classified as protists, not plants.

Brown macroalgae

Brown macroalgae are sometimes seasonally available in the aquarium trade and under suitable conditions, will grow quite prolifically. They possess the pigment Fucoxanthin which gives them their coloration ranging from yellow to dark brown. A few are desirable yet many are pests with some species being rather difficult to remove, often making their way into aquariums on live rock.: BROWN MACROALGAE (PHAEOPHYTA) . In: Marine Plants in the Aquarium

Common name Image Taxonomy Care Level Growth rate Nutrient uptake Lighting Waterflow Palatable Description Max sizeBrazilian brown alga Canistrocarpus cervicornis EasyDictoya cervicornis . In: Gulf Coast Ecosystems Moderate Good Moderate-High Moderate-High Somewhat This very hardy algae thrives in shallower waters. It features flat, spiraling blades which may or may not feature iridescence and vary from olive brown to gold in coloration. Though it does not grow very quickly, pruning is necessary to maintain an individual. Once known as Dictyota cervicornis.Canistrocarpus cervicornis (Kützing) De Paula & De Clerck, 2006 . In: World Register of Marine Species: WoRMS False sargasso Cystoseira sp. ModerateCYSTOSEIRA SP. . In: Marine Plants in the Aquarium Slow Fair Moderate-High Moderate-High No A rare algae in the aquarium trade, commonly confused with Sargassum which has flat blades while False Sargasso has tight toothlike appendages. It also has lower nutrient requirements due to its smaller size. Characterized by its stiff stipes, the outermost of which support pneumatocysts, and its light brown coloration. Iridescent algae Dictyota sp. ModerateDICTOYA SP. . In: Marine Plants in the Aquarium Moderate Good Moderate-High Moderate-High Somewhat The appearance of species within this genus varies greatly. Some display blue iridescence while others are a dull olive color. Larger bladed species are desirable as smaller ones can become invasive. However, all grow in clumps (on hard surfaces or as epiphytes) and are quite delicate, being known to clog pumps and filters. In the wild, the algae is abundant in the intertidal zone and shallow reef flats. Manual removal and clean up crew, like Longnose decorator crabs, can be used to combat this algae Encrusting fan-leaf algae Lobophora sp. ModerateLOBOPHORA SP. . In: Marine Plants in the Aquarium Moderate Good Low-Moderate Low-Moderate Somewhat This algae is very similar to Scroll algae although it is not calcified, being rubbery to the touch. It comes in various shades of brown and green and because it comes from deep waters, it requires little lighting. Rarely does it enter aquariums, which usually occurs when it hitchhikes on live rock. Surprisingly, the algae has a rhizoidal holdfast despite seeming to primarily encrust.Lobophora . In: Melev's Reef Scroll algae Padina sp. ExpertPADINA SP. . In: Marine Plants in the Aquarium Slow Fair Moderate-High Moderate-High No Also known as Potato algae, it is quite desirable given its beauty, which may be enhanced if Coralline algae is allowed to encrust its surface. The algae itself features green to brown coloration and grows in the shape of a rounded or split, irregular cup with concentric rings. Its single holdfast should be affixed to a hard bottom and calcium supplementation is required for growth as it is calcified. White scroll algae Padina sanctae-crucis Expert Slow Fair Moderate-High Moderate-High No This species of algae, also known as Peacock algae, is the most common of the Padina genus in the aquarium trade. It often enters aquariums on live rock.Peacock alga (Padina sanctae-crucis) . In: Marine Species Identification Portal ~Brown algae Polycladia myrica Moderate Slow Fair Moderate-High Moderate-High No This algae makes seasonal appearances in the aquarium trade and originates from The Bahamas and Florida. Once known as Cystoseira myrica.Polycladia myrica (S.G.Gmelin) Draima, Ballesteros, F.Rousseau & T.Thibaut, 2010 . In: World Register of Marine Species: WoRMS Gulfweed Sargassum filipendula ExpertSargassum filipendula Sargassum weed . In: Reeflex This algae is naturally found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and serves as habitat for a variety of marine animals. Because it features pneumatocysts, individual specimens will float without a holdfast. Additionally, it should only be attempted by advanced aquarists. Also known as Sargassum weed.Marine Algae . In: Gulf Specimen Marine Lab: Home Sargassum filipendula C.Agardh, 1824 . In: World Register of Marine Species: WoRMS White-vein sargasso Sargassum hystrix ExpertSARGASSUM HYSTRIX VAR. BUXIFOLIUM . In: Marine Plants in the Aquarium Slow Fair High Moderate-High Not really This species is tolerable of cooler temperatures than most other macroalgae. It attaches itself to hard surfaces, using a holdfast, in shallow, turbulent environments and keeps itself upright with a sturdy stipe. The algae grows large, brown blades and a variety known as Sargassum hystrix buxifolium exists, lacking a white-colored mid rib. Deep-toothed gulfweed Sargassum platycarpum ExpertSARGASSUM PLATYCARPUM . In: Marine Plants in the Aquarium Slow Fair High Moderate-High Not really This species extends serrated, golden blades from its thick stipes along with pneumatocysts to hold it upright. Individuals may also grow a holdfast and the ones that do are most suitable for aquariums as they are capable of anchoring themselves. It is often found on live rock and should frequently be pruned. Leafy flat-blade algae Stypopodium zonale ModerateStypopodium zonale on Scleractinia Kelp . In: Quality Marine Moderate This species of algae produces highly toxic extracts that are harmless toward smaller grazers including amphipods and polychaetes yet are capable of killing herbivorous reef fish. Death occurs within 10 hours of the algae's introduction to a well-aerated aquarium during which the fish will attempt to jump out. Stypopodium zonale (J.V.Lamouroux) Papenfuss, 1940 . In: World Register of Marine Species: WoRMS Pyramid seaweed Turbinaria sp. ExpertTURBINARIA SP. . In: Marine Plants in the Aquarium Slow Fair High Moderate-High To some fish This tough macroalgae is rubbery to the touch, features toothed, triangular blades, and anchors itself to substrate using a holdfast. It is quite variable, with some individuals growing in short, tight clusters while others feature a tall stipe. It prefers to be placed near the top of an aquarium, becoming quite hardy in the presence of strong flow and lighting.

Green macroalgae

Green macroalgae are extremely diverse and abundant, coming in a wide variety of shapes. They possess the pigment Chlorophyll which gives them their coloration ranging from bright green to yellow or dark jade. Reproduction via fragmentation or the releasing of spores are utilized by this macroalgae group. The second option, which is used by the genus, Caulerpa, can be quite problematic in an aquarium.: GREEN MACROALGAE (CHLOROPHYTA) . In: Marine Plants in the Aquarium Some species of green macroalgae have greater ease surviving in high nutrient environments or inadequate water parameters than other kinds of macroalgae and are generally the most suitable for nutrient removal due to their rapid growth rates.: MACRO ALGAE – EVER WANTED A PLANTED SALTWATER AQUARIUM ? . In: Reef Aquarium