Water quality management in freshwater aquarium through submerged aquatic macrophytes (Hydrilla verticillata and Vallisneria americana) and their effects on servility of Labeo rohita fingerlings

Atanu Ghara; Sayan Mandal; Avik Bhanja; Basudev Mandal

doi:10.22161/ijfaf.10.3.4

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Water quality management in freshwater aquarium through submerged aquatic macrophytes (Hydrilla verticillata and Vallisneria americana) and their effects on servility of Labeo rohita fingerlings

Atanu Ghara , Sayan Mandal , Avik Bhanja , Basudev Mandal

Article Info: Received: 16 Jul 2026; Received in revised form: 13 Aug 2026; Accepted: 18 Aug 2026; Available online: 24 Aug 2026

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DOI: 10.22161/ijfaf.10.3.4

Journal : International Journal Of Forest, Animal And Fisheries Research(IJFAF)

Abstract:

The health and survival of fish in closed systems like aquariums are heavily influenced by water quality. A study conducted from January to May 2023 at Vidyasagar University, West Bengal, aimed to evaluate the impact of two submerged aquatic macrophytes, Hydrilla verticillata and Vallisneria americana, on the water quality and survivability of Labeo rohita fingerlings in freshwater aquariums without artificial aeration. The experiment involved five treatment groups: low and high densities of Hydrilla (T1, T2), low and high densities of Vallisneria (T3, T4), and a mixed plantation of both species (T5). Each aquarium contained an equal number of L. rohita fingerlings, all managed under identical conditions. Water quality parameters, including temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, were monitored monthly. The findings revealed treatment-specific variations in water quality, with all parameters remaining within acceptable limits for freshwater fish culture. Notably, dissolved oxygen levels decreased as water temperature increased, while ammonia and nitrite concentrations remained below harmful thresholds. Nitrate levels varied across treatments, reflecting changes in nutrient dynamics linked to the different macrophyte species. The highest fish survivorship (100%) was observed in the high-density Vallisneria treatment (T4), while the high-density Hydrilla treatment (T2) recorded the lowest survival rate (50%). These results indicate that submerged aquatic macrophytes can effectively enhance water quality in aquariums without mechanical aeration, with V. americana showing particular promise as a sustainable, eco-friendly option for freshwater aquarium management.

Keywords:

Aquarium management, Water quality, Labeo rohita, Aquatic macrophytes, Vallisneria.

References:

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Water quality management in freshwater aquarium through submerged aquatic macrophytes (Hydrilla verticillata and Vallisneria americana) and their effects on servility of Labeo rohita fingerlings

Abstract:

Keywords:

References: