Fake Floating Plants

[abcdefghi]

I picked up a Dwarf Gourami and know that they like floating plants, but what exactly is a floating plant? is it one that I just drop in the water and it literally floats around the top of the tank? Or is it one of those really tall plants that bend over at the water surface? I want something for the gourami to be happy, but only have fake plants (no interest in real plants right now) and only have a 10G so I don't want some huge floating plant blocking all the light into the tank.

Can a floating plant be anchored into one place?

Thanks.

 

[bacalao]

"Floating plant" usually means just that, a plant that floats rather than being anchored--although some plants like water wisteria can also be rooted. The entire surface of my 135 is covered with Amazon frogbit and p. fluitans, whose roots extend down into the tank. The fish love it, and the light requirements are not as great as if your plants are under several inches of water. It doesn't block the light, just filters it nicely. Personally I like the effect.