The heart of a Java Fern is its durable rhizome, which creeps in length and thickness with age, and eventually branches out to cover wider areas. A Java Fern situated at the top of an aquarium can really “let its hair down” as it seems to “search” for an additional anchor site. The roots can become quite long when they are not attached. It is as if the roots become sticky, or find some way to adhere themselves to the seemingly smooth surface. The roots are dark brown and hairlike and attach themselves to wood, gravel, and even rocks! This last anchor site still amazes me, since I have seen Java Fern become “stuck” to completely smooth stones. They appear to function not as nutrient carriers, but rather, as anchors. The roots of the plant are its most unique aspect. Java Fern is composed of three important parts. Hopefully, someday an article will appear which will clear up the nomenclature! These “other” Java Ferns may explain the recent discussions I’ve had with aquarists regarding different varieties of the plant. A variety known as the “Windel v” is very attractive. The hobbyists can distinguish this plant from true Java Fern by its thinner rhizomes and stems. Furthermore, a Malayan plant similar to Java is supposedly sold in shops. I have also heard some hobbyists claim there is an African variety of Java Fern, although this may be a reference to another aquatic fern, Bolbitis heudeloth. This later location supposedly hosts a different Microsorium variety. Java Fern has also been recorded in Japan and the Pine Barrens of the New Jersey coast. Java Fern (Microsorium Pteropus) is widely distributed in tropical Southeast Asia, especially southern China and the Indo-Malayan area (that includes the island of Java and the Phillippines). Its growth is such that as old leaves grow tall and die, new ones have already stolen the spotlight. But unlike many other aquarium plants, it can prosper submerged indefinitely. It can be found growing on the waterline of mountain streams and waterfalls, as a wild grass in tropical rain forests, and even in coastal brackish areas. Java Fern is an amphibious jungle plant that grows attached to tree trunks, rocks, and the ground. By now, you should realize that the difficulty in keeping many aquarium plants has much to do with their genetic simplicity. This includes the popular aquarium plants including Echinodrous sword plants and Cryptocorynes. The highest order of plants is flowering plants. Many hobbyists may be surprised to learn that these plants not only reproduce vegetatively but like algae, also by spores carried by the wind. In this primitive group, we find Ferns (such as Java and Watersprite), as well as mosses and minute floating plants such as Riccia. Easily propagated by all aquarists (whether they want to or not) algae spores are carried through the air.Īt the next level are non-flowering plants. For simplicity let’s group aquarium plants into three orders. To understand why Java Fern is so hardy and easy to propagate is to understand the evolution of plants in general. Lighting: do java ferns need a lot of light?.Java Fern’s Place in the World of Plants.Overtime, the wood will naturally stop releasing tannins. Doing several water changes and adding some activated carbon to your filter will help clear up the water. This is natural and soft water loving species such as South American fish love this type of tannic acid. This can be grown under a wide range of conditions, recommended for breeders, beginners and all.ĭriftwood is known to naturally release tannins into the aquarium which can stain your water color slightly yellow, similar to tea. Simply place the piece into your aquascape and you're good to go! New growth can be trimmed and reattached to rock or wood. As long as you have water and light, for the most part, they'll grow. They're both considered low light and low requirement Plants that anyone can keep. This combination is perfect for new beginners trying their hand at live Plants for the first time. The Java Fern and Java moss have already been attached to driftwood so you can simply place it into your aquascape. Aquatic Plants oxygenate the water to provide shelter for fish and aquarium life while keeping them healthier and your tank looking better.
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