New Jersey Scuba Diving

Freshwater Plants

These are all true plants. In freshwater, much of the algal growth is in the form of slimes that grow on rocks, plants, and other surfaces, and of course microscopic phytoplankton. While freshwater algae is an important part of the ecosystem, it is not very remarkable to the typical scuba diver.

Algae

Microscopic Filamentous Green Algae — Microscopic Filamentous Green Algae ( plankton and attached )

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Cattail

Cattail

Typha latifolia

Size: to 7 ft

Habitat: water's edge

Notes:

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Arrow Arum

Arrow Arum

Peltandra viginica

Size: to 5 ft

Habitat: water's edge

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Great Duckweed

Duckweed

Spirodela polyrhiza

Size: to 0.1"

Habitat: floating free at surface

Notes: Among the smallest seed plants; important food for many waterfowl.

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Yellow Water Lily

Yellow Water Lily

Nuphar advena

Size: to 9" (leaves)

Habitat: rooted in muddy bottoms with leaves floating at the surface

Yellow is the most common color, but you may also find white and pink.

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Hornwort

Hornwort

Ceratophyllum demersum

Size: to 10 ft

Habitat: beneath the surface in quiet waters

Notes: May form dense thickets

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Herrings

American Shad

American Shad
( right )
Alosa sapidissima

Size: to 30" and over 9 pounds

Habitat: coastal and estuarine waters

Notes:

Founding Fish

Oceanic adult herrings spend their days deep and come up to the shallows at night to feed, so you are not very likely to see them. Small ones may be more commonly found in inshore waters. Sometimes the marinas and inlets are full of tiny immature herrings known as "Peanuts." Saltwater herrings ascend rivers to spawn. All herrings are primarily filter-feeders, although larger ones may also be predatory on small fishes, squids, and other prey.

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