Another method of propagation is through the production of plantlets. CO2 in a Shrimp Tank Microsorum Pteropus, Trident: This variety grows faster and the leaves are feathery-lobed, just as the name implies, this variety has forks which resemble a trident. They add beauty to the tank with its delicate look and unique shape. Their leave will show the same growth of plantlets when they mature. Unstable parameters will result in melt and rotting of the aquarium plant. To be grown on a root or stone, attached with fishing line until it has gained a hold. The next step is using a cling film to make the back pane of the aquarium black, this ensures that you won’t be able to see the mesh you are using to attach the plant to. It can be originally traced to the Island of Java (Indonesia). The small plants can be bought in around $4-5, while the one attached with driftwood can cost over $20. However, this shouldn’t be confused with the presence of black spots beneath the leaves as that is a sign that the parent plant is about to grow plantlets. Treatment Black veiny lines are present and the color of the leaves ranges from medium to dark green hues. Java fern doesn’t need strong lighting conditions as this can burn the leaves and make them develop brown spots. The surface can be both broad and narrow. Java Fern’s Place in the World of Plants. Windelov Java Fern: This Java Fern is also a smaller variety, hardly ever-growing past 8 inches tall. The high lightning can change the color of the leaves to brown. The recommended tank size for this plant is a minimum of 10-gallons (~40 liters). Some types of Java Fern (Broad Leaf) can grow up to 15 inches tall and the overall width of the plant could even be around 6 inches. I’m Michael and this is the place where I nerd out about shrimp. The leaves are hardy and have a leathery texture in a range of distinct shapes, mainly from bushy to spiky. This aquarium plant will thrive with most tropical fish as very few seem to bother it. Some people start panicking, thinking that the plant is sick or dying. Its rootstock is divided into several parts with two-three leaves on them. The leaves of these plants are even thinner than the narrow leave. Co2 supply: This is not really a necessity but if you want your fern to grow faster than normal then you definitely need to supply them with extra Co2. Before buying any plant, make sure the leaves are healthy, green, and without any brown edging. Next, use tapes, adhesives or fishing wire to fasten the plant to the desired hardscape. If planted in the bottom, do not cover the rhizome because it will rot. This plant, like all plants, grows best with fertilizer and lighting around 6500k. Java fern is compatible with a huge variety of fish. Do not make drastic changes to the aquarium. Java fern (Microsorum Pteropus) is unarguably one of the best aquatic plants for the aquarium hobby. Read my article “Nitrates in Shrimp Tank. Propagation. Apart from that, the leaves of java ferns come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Narrow Java Ferns: As the name suggests, this variety of Java fern has narrower leaves than most species. Many types of Java Fern can be found in the fish stores like needle leaf, narrow leaf, trident leaf, and Windelov leaf. Let us know in the comment. The addition of liquid fertilizer also helps to tackle melting issues in some aquatic plants which include Java fern. Apart from that, it is found alongside streams or flowing water. Keeping low lighting in the tank is necessary as Java ferns grow in the shady place. They have rhizomes that attach themselves to different surfaces and then grow. This aquatic fern can grow in low light conditions and is forgiving in a wide range of water parameters. The plant is rhizomatous which implies that its roots and leaves emerge from a thick and root-like base (rhizome). After a while, the roots will have attached itself firmly to the surface of the hardscape, and growth continues. The leaves find it difficult to adapt to the new present water conditions, and this makes them stressed. Java Fern is an incredibly popular freshwater aquarium plant, known and loved for its stunning looks and ease of care.. We already discussed this hardy plant is easy to grow on any surface. However, you should avoid pairing them with large species of crayfish as they are known to destroy the plant. Cichlids, Catfish, Tiger Oscars, Arowanas, etc. Java Ferns meet both criteria! It prefers bri Scientific name Microsorum Pteropus Windelov, is a great beginner plant that’s considered easy to grow. Java fern ( Microsorum pteropus) is an impressively durable plant that can withstand the likes of African cichlids, snails, and even those with the blackest of thumbs. Java fern is a member of the Polypodiaceae family and its taxonomical classification goes thus: Java fern has an overall green coloration and it is made up of three major components: Roots: The roots of this aquatic plant are dark brown hair-like strings that grow out of the rhizomes, these roots acts as an anchor. Java fern grows adventitious, or random plantlets on older leaves. Several cultivars of Java fern exist. Java Fern Windelov. link to How to Set Up a Freshwater Crab Tank, Read more about it in my article “Advanced Guide to Planted Tank Lighting”. This plant is easy to maintain, and there is minimal chance for you to kill it even if you are a beginner. It possesses long thin leaves that are thinner than the narrow leaf variety. After this process, it starts growing at a slow rate. The leaves are about 4 – 8 inches (10 – 20 cm) in size and up to 12 inches (30 cm) in height. They can be treated with chemicals (pesticide) to remove parasites, snails, etc. Most aquarists often think more light is best for the plants but this is not totally right. Aquarists commonly use them because of their slow growth. It is hardy and tough which makes it difficult for herbivorous (nippy) fishes to feed on them. It is shorter than the narrow leaf variant. The plantation process for both the methods will be similar to that of original Java Ferns. Java ferns have been the common choice of many aquarists over the years. After final death of the old leaf, the new plants tear away from it and emerge to the water surface. - We try not to have snails/pests but it happens, this is nature. The color of leaves depends on the lighting. Read my article “Nitrates in Shrimp Tank. Dots on the underside of its leaves are normal and not a cause for concern. This wall can be formed at the back of your tank to get that desirable attractive green background. However, these chemicals are extremely poisonous to shrimp and other invertebrates. In this method, the Java fern produces tiny plantlets on the tips of its leaves, which consists of few tiny leaves and a little root system. Leaves: This plant possesses varying leaf form and structure which makes it unique. In this article, we will talk about everything related to them in the description but before that, let’s take a brief look at the table given below –. Also, you can keep it with a wide variety of fishes and plants. Ms. Anaisha is an aquarist, loves to keep fishes and play with them. Java Fern Windelov. Needle-Leaf Java Fern – The leaves of this plant are thinner in the shape of the needle and smaller than the regular Java Fern. There are a couple of ways to propagate: Firstly, you could cut the rhizome in half and replant the cut sections. It doesn’t need CO2 as much as other water … But make sure to keep the plant wet either by submerging or using spray bottles, whenever cleaning or maintaining it. The separate plants will then continue to grow. Water pH: A pH of 6.0 – 8.0 is quite okay, anything slightly above that might not really hurt this plant. You can cut the rhizome in half and then replant it where you want it to grow. Java Fern Stats Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallons Care Level: Easy Water Conditions: 6-8 ph and Soft to Moderately Hard Temperature: 22–27 °C (72–82 °F) Maximum Size: 13 ½ inches (35 cm) The Java fern (Microsorum pteropus) is an aquatic fern native to South East Asia. There are many sellers online who retail varieties of the Java fern plant, you can source them from Petco, eBay or Amazon. It is hardy, easy to cultivate, and well-adapted for life in different kinds of habitats (both freshwater and brackish). Treatment. Java Ferns are hardy, and their leathery leaf structure makes them unappealing. When the leaves have black or brown tiny circular bumps or veiny black lines, it means it has matured and is ready for propagation as well. Your email address will not be published. If you want, you can remove the ties if they are visible or leave them there as the plant will cover it up. This feature makes it suitable to be used with a wide variety of fish. You can read more about it in my article “Top 5 Plants for Your Shrimp Tank”. Required fields are marked *. It has various qualities that make it a point of attraction. Do not forget to quarantine any new plants before putting them into your tank! This plant is very compatible with various kinds of fishes; its appearance is stunning and ideal for beautifying home aquariums. Pesticides in Shrimp Tanks. After a few weeks, the roots will attach itself to the surface. But if you still want to use it, then you can pick anything of your choice. This is a common problem amongst most aquatic plants whereby the leaves turn yellow and brown, shrink and die off. The end of the leaves is split into three thin leaves which gives it a beautiful bushy effect when grown out. You can also read “How to Spot Nutrient Deficiencies in Aquatic Plants”. Rhizomes: These appear just like the dark green roots but in this case, they are actually stems. Yay! The good thing about the rhizome is that it has the ability to continue growing and developing. This plant can also be floated on the water surface, just ensure that it is trimmed/pruned as at when due to keep the tank orderly and clean. Cherry Shrimp Care Guide: Grades, Tank Conditions, Tank Mates, Diet, and Breeding, 400+ Betta Fish Names – Pick the Best Name for Your Pet Fish, Top 15 Best Freshwater Fishes That Are Always Popular, The Best Fish Puns Collection You Should Read and Share. Keep reading for more information on how you can grow and care for Java fern. Those in the aquarium hobby especially beginners will not have a problem cultivating this plant species, be rest assured that the success rate is very high and you will love it. It is not unusual to see black little bumps or black lines or going through the leaves on Java Fern. Your email address will not be published. These compounds are known to be harmful to fish and shrimp in macro quantities, the tank inhabitants will are safer thanks to this role the Java fern performs. Java fern is a highly variable plant species with many diverse geographical varieties which can be distinguished by their unique leaf sizes and shapes. In this case, rough surfaces are better than smoother surfaces. The Windelov fern multiplies readily. The two names are interchangeable, though the former is more common in the aquarium trade. The Java fern forms a bush with its tall leaves when fully grown, this provides a shade/cover where smaller fish, shrimp, and fry can hide to keep away from predators and intense lighting conditions. The leaves of Java Fern look majestic that can reach a height of 13.5 inches and width 6-8 inches. This plant is native to South East Asia cultivated particularly in Taiwan nurseries. You don’t have to spend a lot to buy or maintain this plant. They are available in variety, and you can choose according to your preference. The plant can grow large with broad leaves, and its rhizomes will keep growing till it is finding surfaces. Easy to propagate by splitting the horizontal rhizome. The Java Ferns are quite hardy to keep and maintain, but there are some mistakes that newcomers make, which can result in the death of their plant. Plants Quarantine. Planting Java fern, a native of South East Asia, has become one of the favorite hobbies of aquarists over the years. It is one of the most sought after plants for aquascaping. You can use lava rocks, driftwoods, or anything that has a rough surface like them. For algae related problems, you can get the help of a clean-up crew. Suitable Water Parameters for Java Fern. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Java Fern is one of the popular aquarium plants and is scientifically know as Microsorum Pteropus. One of the things we love about this unique aquarium plant is its availability. These plantlets can now be detached from the parent plant and tied to driftwood or any other hardscape. Java Fern is hardy and doesn’t need strict water conditions to thrive. The plants are sensitive at the beginning, so the fishes with nibbling habit can damage them. Your java fern microsorum also loves oxygenated water, so aquariums with pump systems are ideal. The plant will adapt to the new water conditions and new leaves will start sprouting afterwards. The smallest member of Java Fern (Windelov) grows up to about 6 inches tall and forms a distinctive shape with small and finely branched, dense leaves. You can also use rubber bands or zip ties, but it will be visible from the outside. How Copper Affects Dwarf Shrimp Also, it doesn’t require any separate water conditions for the process. The popular varieties go by the names: Narrow Leaf, Needle Leaf, Trident, Windleof. The first way is to cut the fern… You can use it to plant as many Java Ferns you want in your tank. The herbivorous fish won’t eat it like they eat other aquatic plants. Propagating Java Fern is quite simple. This plant can be grown without co2, fertilizer is recommended however not necessary. For simplicity lets group aquarium plants into three orders. In contrast, the plant can grow up to 12 inches. They will start growing as independent plants. For example, Java fern can withstand aggression from Cichlids, Oscar, Goldfish species that normally eat aquatic plants. They find Java fern to be unappetizing due to their hard leaves, which do not taste so good. Once you decided the surface, the next thing you have to do is to safely secure the plant on that surface. It is quite rare and grows up to a height of 6 inches. Any freshwater shrimp which share the same water requirements (for example, Cherry shrimp, Snowball shrimp, Caridina cf. Java fern is one of the most popular plants in the aquarium hobby, due to its aesthetic appeal and ease of care. They are very affordable and the price ranges from $4 – 20 depending on the variety and type you want (single plant or mat). The smooth surface like pebbles or glass won’t disappoint you either, but it will take a longer duration to attach on these surfaces. The height of this plant is about 6 inches (15 cm). The second way of vegetative reproduction is when growth buds appear on dying old leaves and soon a new plant develops from them. It gives rich look to planted tanks. 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