Taking plants from rivers

[Juicebox]

Is it possible to take some plants out of a stream/river and put them into your fish tank?

[Oldfishlady]

It is possible, however, make sure it is legal.

With your local collected plants-it is best to QT them and properly acclimate them to indoor lights.

What I do, I like to use a white bucket so that I can see the bottom easier-this is so I can spot any hitchhikes-mainly snails, damselfly and dragonfly nymps-The nymps can wipe out fish and snails can carry in parasites/pathogens sometimes.
I change 100% the water and clean the plants daily.
To acclimate to the light change from outside to inside-I move my bucket of plants every day or so to less and less light. Then once in the house I will place a florescent light over them for at least 10h/day.
Generally, I like to QT these plants for about 3-4 weeks-moving them in the house with florescent light on or about week 2-3-then another week in the house before I add them to the tank.

Even with QT, cleaning and water changes-I have brought in dragonfly nymps that have destroyed fish and shrimp. I have never had any issues with any native snails I have brought in-but they can cause problems.

[homegrown terror]

i wouldn't risk it....driftwood and rocks can be properly prepared, but any such measures that would have to be taken for live plants stands a good chance of killing them.

[aokashi]

Ive done it before back in Australia :p

[kfryman]

Lots of people do it, but make sure to research the temps it will withstand. If you live in an area that is often cold and rarely warm, the plant probably won't stand the heat a betta likes. Cold water fish would be fine though.

[Juicebox]

im in mass so maybe the plants will be moe suited to colder tanks,ill definately do some reseasrch and try find if there is any available but it seems like it could be too risky just for the sake of saving 10 bucks buying some from a fish store :(

[Kytkattin]

I tried this once, but the plant didn't survive. I am always so tempted to do this when I see frogbit though... I want some so badly!

[Juicebox]

im goin scavaging on the weekend for some wood and rocks in the local resovoir.i dont think they spray any chemicals near there as its drinking water,u cant even swim or go out on the water on a boat,ill report back with anything i find and try get pics up