Common Name- The African fern
Water Conditions- Approx. 70 - 80
degrees, Some water movement, good water quality.
pH- 5.0 - 7.8,
water here is 7.4.
Light- Will survive in lower light
conditions, but moderate or brighter light is best.
Size- Root systems will grow new
plants, will get to about 18 inches high.
Cultivation- Roots must be exposed and
never planted.
Will anchor to stone, brick or porous surface.
First obtained as
a stray sprig in a batch of crypts from Bill Allen in 1996, it
has been very hardy
and prolific. This plant possesses a dark green color
and is fairly dense in appearance, but water is
able to easily flow through it. in fact, bolbitis fern
must be provided with some water movement for
it to do well. Any bubbling aeration or flowing water
as would be provided by a powerhead is fine.
This plant does not do well when left in the open air.
Though its fronds are tough and fairly rigid in
the aquarium, with woody, solid stems, it will wither
when removed from water for an extended period.
This may account for its not being seen often in pet
stores, as it cannot be cultivated in greenhouses
hydroponically, as many aquatic plants are raised.
Some have found this plant to be difficult to grow. In
most instances this is because the water
quality was poor, or there was little or no water
movement in the tank. Otherwise it grows very well,
and serves as a perfect hiding enclosure for smaller
fish and catfish.
The largest I
ever let one grow filled all but the top 2 inches or so in a 55
gallon tall aquarium-
4 feet across, a foot deep. And it had no dead areas,
and was eventually broken up and
sold a few years ago.
All of the tanks here are also treated
with Rapid Grow Aquarium Plant
fertilizer, assuring
maximum growth.
See
other Care Guides Here
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