Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus) an Easy Aquatic Plant.
Java Fern is one of the world’s most widely used plants in planted aquariums. It slow growth, unique leaf structure, and reproduction method makes it an aquarium smash hit. Java Fern is tolerant of all lighting conditions and environmental conditions, from alkaline water to soft acidic water, brackish tanks, and even brackish. It is also easy to find in most local fish stores; but if not, there is always some available on our website.
Java fern
You’re probably looking for more information on Java Fern, if you found this article. Planting Java Fern is easy; simply throw it into your water. You can actually just drop the Java Fern in your water and it will start growing. Java Fern will grow while floating. The current can also allow it to attach itself to something that its roots can hold on to. You can also place the roots in gravel or tie it to a piece wood, rock or other decor. Super glue gel is my preferred method for planting Java Fern. Make a simple glue bead from the decor piece you wish to attach the fern to. It should be held against the glue for at least 30 seconds. Then let it dry in the air for 3 minutes. It will grow quickly if you place it in the tank. The only thing to watch out for is that you don’t bury the rhizome (the twig like portion of the plant). All the roots and leaves extend out of this rhizome. It will rot if it is submerged in gravel or sand. Java Fern can be used in bare-bottom tanks. This is a huge benefit.
It doesn’t matter what light you use to grow Java Fern. It will appreciate any light that is available to it. Java Fern isn’t picky about which spectrum of lighting you’re using or even the number of watts. Java Fern is most at home with a spectrum 6700k bulb. Any range from low to medium-high light is perfect for this plant. It can be burned or melted at very high levels of light. Refrain from trying to recreate the Sahara Desert in your tank. The Java Fern can survive on very little light. Many aquarists have left it in a bucket for weeks and it still has life! The bulb in my tank was drained for many months, but the Java Fern still looked fantastic every time I turned on the light to catch the fry.
If you have it planted and give it light, your Java Fern should soon start reproducing. Tiny Java Ferns are formed at the edge of the leaves. When they reach maturity, they will drop off and attach themselves to where they belong. You can also break leaves off and let them float in the aquarium. You can also break off leaves and let them float in the aquarium. If it dies, it will immediately produce new plantslets. Sometimes it can have as many as 20 babies per plant. This is a great way for setting up a new aquarium or to propagate the plant to get a fish friend.
As an added benefit, aquarium fish love to swim through these plants. Java Ferns can make a jungle for fish to swim in. With the slow growth factor of this plant, many people only do 1 big trim every year and then let nature takes its course decorating their aquarium au natural. Most fish do not like the taste of Java Fern, so even many plant eating fish will not eat it. The leaves are very tough and thick. They can take a beating from a large cichlid or some goldfish who just like to play with them.
Sourcing some Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus) shouldn’t be too difficult. Once you’ve found it, and you’ve started to propagate them, you’ll be glad you did. Each of these has a unique look to them with all the same growth requirements we already learned.
Java fern ‘Windelov’
One needs to be careful about starting up a tank with Java Fern or pruning too much at once! This plant is slow to grow and can get into trouble with algae. A good crew of algae eaters and sucker fish go a long way to ensuring it wins the battle. You can also plant it with faster growing plants like Vallisneria.
If you lose the battle against algae, simply pull off a few leaves and let them float in some water. You can then remove the plantlets and put them back in the tank. This will hopefully win the battle. So, what are you waiting? Grab some Java Fern, and get out there!