Safe Plants and Decorations for your Aquarium (Part 2) Researched and Formatted by: Juanita Hoffman

Safe Plants and Safe Plants and Decorations for your Decorations for your

Aquarium (Part 2)Aquarium (Part 2)

Researched and Formatted Researched and Formatted by: Juanita Hoffmanby: Juanita Hoffman

RefresherRefresher

• As we discussed in the last As we discussed in the last presentation choosing the proper presentation choosing the proper substrate, lighting and carbon injection substrate, lighting and carbon injection for your plants is necessary before you for your plants is necessary before you add any plants to your aquarium.add any plants to your aquarium.

• Making sure that everything is not only Making sure that everything is not only safe for your aquatic friends but also safe for your aquatic friends but also safe for your plants.safe for your plants.

LegendLegend

Most plants that grow Most plants that grow under low or medium light under low or medium light will usually do even better will usually do even better under higher light. under higher light. Exceptions are noted. Here Exceptions are noted. Here is what each symbol is what each symbol means: means: High light requirement High light requirement

Medium light requirement Medium light requirement Low light requirement Low light requirement Tolerates brackish or Tolerates brackish or high-pH water. high-pH water. Fast grower Fast grower Floating plant Floating plant

Stem Plants - 1Stem Plants - 1

• Alternanthera reineckii (scarlet Alternanthera reineckii (scarlet hygro, etc.) hygro, etc.) – Scarlet to deep red color, which Scarlet to deep red color, which

turns olive in lower light conditions. turns olive in lower light conditions. Not to be confused with Not to be confused with A. sessilisA. sessilis sold under the same common sold under the same common names, this species can truly grow names, this species can truly grow underwater. (TAG 6:4, 6:5) underwater. (TAG 6:4, 6:5)

• Bacopa (water hyssop) Bacopa (water hyssop) – A bog plant that grows OK A bog plant that grows OK

underwater, background or filler underwater, background or filler plant. Pale green-to-red fleshy plant. Pale green-to-red fleshy leaves, up to 16" tall stem. 68-78F. leaves, up to 16" tall stem. 68-78F. Makes good background or side Makes good background or side plant, in groups. plant, in groups.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/aquaticplantdepot_1905_1207583

Stem Plants – 2Stem Plants – 2

• Cabomba (fanwort) Cabomba (fanwort) – Stems up to 20" (50cm) tall. Leaves Stems up to 20" (50cm) tall. Leaves

resemble fine pine needles, fanning out resemble fine pine needles, fanning out from central stem. Pair of leaves at each from central stem. Pair of leaves at each node. Will tend to break apart and litter the node. Will tend to break apart and litter the aquarium if light is too low. Difficult to grow; aquarium if light is too low. Difficult to grow; needs high fertilization. needs high fertilization.

• Cardimine lyrata Cardimine lyrata – Beautiful, delicate plant. Small (1/2 - 1") Beautiful, delicate plant. Small (1/2 - 1")

heart-shaped leaves with wavy edges on a heart-shaped leaves with wavy edges on a thin stem. Grows roots above water at each thin stem. Grows roots above water at each node. Tolerates cold water very well; will node. Tolerates cold water very well; will overwinter outdoors at temperatures overwinter outdoors at temperatures around freezing, even when immersed. around freezing, even when immersed. Leaves look kind of like Leaves look kind of like Hydrocotoyle sp.Hydrocotoyle sp., , but stem is straight. but stem is straight.

Cabomba



• Ceratophyllym demersum (hornwort) Ceratophyllym demersum (hornwort) – Very hardy. Whorls of forked leaves. Grows leggy under Very hardy. Whorls of forked leaves. Grows leggy under

medium light, quickly under better conditions. No roots, so can medium light, quickly under better conditions. No roots, so can be kept free-floating or planted. Lengths up to 2 feet. be kept free-floating or planted. Lengths up to 2 feet.

• Elodea/Egeria (anachris) Elodea/Egeria (anachris) – Prefers low temperature (50-77F) tanks, somewhat alkaline pH. Prefers low temperature (50-77F) tanks, somewhat alkaline pH.

Translucent green whorled leaves. Good goldfish food and tank Translucent green whorled leaves. Good goldfish food and tank oxygenator. Can be kept free-floating or rooted. Nice beginner oxygenator. Can be kept free-floating or rooted. Nice beginner plant. plant.

• Hydrocotoyle leucocephala (water pennywort) Hydrocotoyle leucocephala (water pennywort) – Tall stem plant (over 20") with heart-shaped green leaves of 1" Tall stem plant (over 20") with heart-shaped green leaves of 1"

diameter. Develops several small roots at each node. Tolerates diameter. Develops several small roots at each node. Tolerates 50-82F. Will grow floating when it reaches the top of the water 50-82F. Will grow floating when it reaches the top of the water and flower in the aquarium. Doesn't root well, so needs to be and flower in the aquarium. Doesn't root well, so needs to be refreshed occasionally from cuttings. Leaves look kind of like refreshed occasionally from cuttings. Leaves look kind of like Cardimine lyrataCardimine lyrata. .

Stem Plants 4Stem Plants 4

• Hygrophila corymbosa (giant Hygrophila corymbosa (giant hygro, temple plant) hygro, temple plant) – Also known as Also known as Nomaphila strictaNomaphila stricta. .

Light green leaves, sometimes with Light green leaves, sometimes with reddish veins. Easily grows out of reddish veins. Easily grows out of the water, where leaves turn dark the water, where leaves turn dark reddish green. Big plant; makes reddish green. Big plant; makes good corner/background in large good corner/background in large deep tanks. Grows quickly given deep tanks. Grows quickly given high fertilization. Fairly hardy. high fertilization. Fairly hardy. Another species with similar Another species with similar appearance and requirements is appearance and requirements is ``narrow-leaved hygro'' (probably ``narrow-leaved hygro'' (probably H. augustifoliaH. augustifolia). ).





• Limnophila sp. (ambulia) Limnophila sp. (ambulia) – Similar in appearance to Similar in appearance to CabombaCabomba, but less light-demanding. Grows , but less light-demanding. Grows

light green leaves in whorls at each node (light green leaves in whorls at each node (CabombaCabomba has a pair of has a pair of leaves at each node). There are two common species, leaves at each node). There are two common species, L. aquaticaL. aquatica and and L. sessilifloraL. sessiliflora. The former is larger, more bushy, and has finer leaves. It . The former is larger, more bushy, and has finer leaves. It is hardy in tropical aquaria with high light. is hardy in tropical aquaria with high light.

• Lobelia cardinalis Lobelia cardinalis – Similar/same the red-flowered land garden plant. Rumored to leach Similar/same the red-flowered land garden plant. Rumored to leach

poison if cut. poison if cut. • Ludwigia repens Ludwigia repens

– Spade-shaped leaves, dark green to brownish colored. Stiff stems, up Spade-shaped leaves, dark green to brownish colored. Stiff stems, up to 20" (50cm) long. For me, transplant stems sometimes rot. to 20" (50cm) long. For me, transplant stems sometimes rot.

• Mayaca fluviatilis Mayaca fluviatilis – Very pretty plant. Light green, narrow leaves about 1/2" long, arranged Very pretty plant. Light green, narrow leaves about 1/2" long, arranged

in whorls. Attractive for background plantings. Became commonly in whorls. Attractive for background plantings. Became commonly available in 1994. Like available in 1994. Like HygrophilaHygrophila species, it seems to be a delicacy for species, it seems to be a delicacy for fish. Doesn't root well, so plantings need to be refreshed from cuttings. fish. Doesn't root well, so plantings need to be refreshed from cuttings.


• Hygrophila difformis (water wisteria) Hygrophila difformis (water wisteria) – Easy to grow. Prefers high light, but Easy to grow. Prefers high light, but

grows slowly under medium. Fine grows slowly under medium. Fine branched light green leaves. Has different branched light green leaves. Has different emersed leaves, and flowers above emersed leaves, and flowers above water. Propagated from cuttings. Also water. Propagated from cuttings. Also known as known as Synnema triflorumSynnema triflorum. Sometimes . Sometimes confused with water sprite. confused with water sprite.

• Hygrophila polysperma (green hygro, Hygrophila polysperma (green hygro, Indian hygro) Indian hygro) – Spreads like a weed. Green under Spreads like a weed. Green under

medium light, but gets brownish tinge medium light, but gets brownish tinge (and grows larger) in high light. ``Sunset'' (and grows larger) in high light. ``Sunset'' and variegated varieties are available, and variegated varieties are available, but harder to grow. (TAG 7:4) but harder to grow. (TAG 7:4)

H. difformis

Stem Plants 7Stem Plants 7

• Myriophyllum (water milfoil) Myriophyllum (water milfoil) – Temperate water plant that needs good lighting. Good for Temperate water plant that needs good lighting. Good for

background. Fine, green to reddish green leaves, background. Fine, green to reddish green leaves, depending on the species. Produces coarser leaves above depending on the species. Produces coarser leaves above water, which will flower. water, which will flower.

• Rotala Rotala – Very delicate leaves, easily damaged. Grows up to 20" tall, Very delicate leaves, easily damaged. Grows up to 20" tall,

so they make excellent background plants. so they make excellent background plants. R. indicaR. indica can can grow in medium light, but just will not stay as green. grow in medium light, but just will not stay as green. R. R. macrandramacrandra is largest, and hardest to cultivate. It has red is largest, and hardest to cultivate. It has red leaves with pink undersides, turning to green in lower leaves with pink undersides, turning to green in lower light, and requires iron fertilization to maintain its red light, and requires iron fertilization to maintain its red color. color.

• Utricularia (bladderwort)Utricularia (bladderwort)


• Aponogeton Aponogeton – Tuber. Needs rest period (triggered after blooming? Tuber. Needs rest period (triggered after blooming?

drops its leaves), except for hybrid crispus. Easy drops its leaves), except for hybrid crispus. Easy beginner plant. Foreground plant singly, or background beginner plant. Foreground plant singly, or background in groups. Most species flower by sending up a stalk in groups. Most species flower by sending up a stalk with single or double-spike and seed easily. (Grows very with single or double-spike and seed easily. (Grows very slowly from seeds, and you must protect the young slowly from seeds, and you must protect the young seedlings from fish.) (TAG 4:3) Oft seen Species: seedlings from fish.) (TAG 4:3) Oft seen Species: • bouvianus bouvianus • crispus: up to 20" (50cm) tall, red to green leaves; crispus: up to 20" (50cm) tall, red to green leaves;

easy starter plant, often sold as bulbs at Wal-Mart. easy starter plant, often sold as bulbs at Wal-Mart. Single-spike flower stem, slightly-undulating leaf Single-spike flower stem, slightly-undulating leaf margins. margins.

• elongatus, elongatus, • ulvaceus: 10-20" (25-50cm) wavy light green leaves, ulvaceus: 10-20" (25-50cm) wavy light green leaves,

twin-spiked flower. twin-spiked flower. • undulatus: 16" (40cm) slightly-undulating leaves, undulatus: 16" (40cm) slightly-undulating leaves,

smooth in low light. Flowers rarely. (photo – smooth in low light. Flowers rarely. (photo – ulvaceus)ulvaceus)



““Rosette” Plants Rosette” Plants • Anubias Anubias

– 72-82F (22-28C). Not really a rosette plant, 72-82F (22-28C). Not really a rosette plant, AnubiasAnubias all have a creeping rhizome that all have a creeping rhizome that grows very slowly, throwing out new leaves grows very slowly, throwing out new leaves as it grows. The plant is built like a tank, as it grows. The plant is built like a tank, some having reported keeping them in a some having reported keeping them in a closet for six months in a plastic bag yet still closet for six months in a plastic bag yet still surviving. It is also one of the most expensive surviving. It is also one of the most expensive aquarium plants. If grown immersed, they aquarium plants. If grown immersed, they may produce larger leaves, and will grow may produce larger leaves, and will grow faster, and flowers will produce seeds. faster, and flowers will produce seeds. Anubias will frequently flower underwater, Anubias will frequently flower underwater, but not seed. You can grow the roots in but not seed. You can grow the roots in gravel, or even train the rhizome to grow on gravel, or even train the rhizome to grow on bogwood like Java fern does. (TAG 6:2) Most bogwood like Java fern does. (TAG 6:2) Most commonly kept species is commonly kept species is A. barteri var. A. barteri var. nananana, the smallest Anubias, which has egg-, the smallest Anubias, which has egg-shaped leaves and makes a great foreground shaped leaves and makes a great foreground plant in medium-to-large aquariums. plant in medium-to-large aquariums. A. A. barteri var. barteribarteri var. barteri looks similar to the looks similar to the nananana variety, but with bigger leaves. variety, but with bigger leaves. A. congensisA. congensis, , A. lanceolataA. lanceolata and others grow very tall and and others grow very tall and make good background plants. They can make good background plants. They can sometimes be seen in better stores. (photo 1 sometimes be seen in better stores. (photo 1 – nana photo 2 – congensis)– nana photo 2 – congensis)

A. nana

A. congensis





Rosette Plants - 2Rosette Plants - 2

• Aponogeton madagascariensis Aponogeton madagascariensis (Madagascar Lace Plant) (Madagascar Lace Plant) – Very desired plant because of its Very desired plant because of its

6-18" leaves which are actually a 6-18" leaves which are actually a lace-like skeleton. Pink self-fertile lace-like skeleton. Pink self-fertile flowers on double-spiked stalk. flowers on double-spiked stalk. Likes rich substrate. Observe Likes rich substrate. Observe dormancy period! Dies in water dormancy period! Dies in water over 80F. Difficult plant to grow.over 80F. Difficult plant to grow.


““Rosette” Plants - 3Rosette” Plants - 3

• Barclaya longifolia (orchid lily) Barclaya longifolia (orchid lily) – 10-20" (25-50cm) delicate brownish or olive-green 10-20" (25-50cm) delicate brownish or olive-green

leaves, moderately-undulated margins. Likes warmed leaves, moderately-undulated margins. Likes warmed substrate and warm aquariums (75-82F). Foreground substrate and warm aquariums (75-82F). Foreground single plant. Often rots on transplant. Flowers and seeds single plant. Often rots on transplant. Flowers and seeds easily by sending a stalk to the surface, or will remain easily by sending a stalk to the surface, or will remain submerged and closed (seeds still viable). Very difficult submerged and closed (seeds still viable). Very difficult to grow. (TAG 4:1). to grow. (TAG 4:1).

• Crinum (`ònion bulb'') Crinum (`ònion bulb'') – As the name implies, it grows from a bulb and looks like As the name implies, it grows from a bulb and looks like

a scallion. Bright-green leaves are huge 20-40" (50-a scallion. Bright-green leaves are huge 20-40" (50-100cm), and recommended only for large aquariums. 100cm), and recommended only for large aquariums. Does better in bright light. Does better in bright light.

Rosette Plants - 4Rosette Plants - 4• Cryptocoryne (most species) Cryptocoryne (most species)

– Shocks on transplant, takes up to months to adjust Shocks on transplant, takes up to months to adjust to new tank, so don't move them once you've to new tank, so don't move them once you've planted them. Crypt rot caused by sudden water planted them. Crypt rot caused by sudden water chemistry/quality changes. Spreads by rhizome; chemistry/quality changes. Spreads by rhizome; new plants develop at nodes. -> Not a good new plants develop at nodes. -> Not a good beginner plant. Often sold potted in rockwool, which beginner plant. Often sold potted in rockwool, which reduces the above shocks. Usually prefers acidic reduces the above shocks. Usually prefers acidic water. Some species will not tolerate high light. water. Some species will not tolerate high light. Requires iron fertilization and likes rich substrate. Requires iron fertilization and likes rich substrate. (TAG 4:1, 4:2, 5:1, 5:2, 5:3, 5:4) Oft-seen species: (TAG 4:1, 4:2, 5:1, 5:2, 5:3, 5:4) Oft-seen species:

• affinis: emerald-green 4-12" (10-30cm) leaves, red affinis: emerald-green 4-12" (10-30cm) leaves, red undersides. Foreground plant in large aquariums or undersides. Foreground plant in large aquariums or center plants in small tanks. Grows OK in alkaline center plants in small tanks. Grows OK in alkaline water. water.

• balansae: likes higher light? balansae: likes higher light? • becketii: likes higher light? becketii: likes higher light? • lutea: easier crypt to grow. lutea: easier crypt to grow. • walkeri walkeri • wendtii: easier crypt to grow. bronze, red, green wendtii: easier crypt to grow. bronze, red, green

varieties. wrinkled leaves. Up to 8" tall. Adaptable to varieties. wrinkled leaves. Up to 8" tall. Adaptable to high light and will grow with CO2.high light and will grow with CO2.

C. becketti



““Rosette” Plants - 5Rosette” Plants - 5• Echinodorus (Amazon swords) Echinodorus (Amazon swords)

– Most are good as single highlight plant, or background Most are good as single highlight plant, or background groups in large aquariums. Like high levels of groups in large aquariums. Like high levels of fertilizer. Can grow emersed. Reproduce by fertilizer. Can grow emersed. Reproduce by adventitious plants on end of stalks runners, or root adventitious plants on end of stalks runners, or root division, depending on species. (TAG 4:5, 5:5, 7:1, 7:5) division, depending on species. (TAG 4:5, 5:5, 7:1, 7:5) Common species: Common species:

• bleheri, paniculatus, amazonicus: Your generic amazon bleheri, paniculatus, amazonicus: Your generic amazon swords, usually available in small, medium or large. Light swords, usually available in small, medium or large. Light green leaves can be over 20" (50cm). Produces plantlets green leaves can be over 20" (50cm). Produces plantlets directly on the flower stalk. directly on the flower stalk.

• cordifolius (radican sword): heart-shaped leaves. Likes cordifolius (radican sword): heart-shaped leaves. Likes being emersed; will flower in open-top aquarium. Sends being emersed; will flower in open-top aquarium. Sends floating leaves if illumination is low. floating leaves if illumination is low.

• major/maior (ruffle sword) major/maior (ruffle sword) • osiris (melon sword): blood-red slightly-undulate leaves. osiris (melon sword): blood-red slightly-undulate leaves. • parviflorus (tropico sword): smaller variety. parviflorus (tropico sword): smaller variety. • tenellus, quadricostatus (pygmy chain sword): leaves up tenellus, quadricostatus (pygmy chain sword): leaves up

to 6", 72-86F. Fast reproduction by runners; can create a to 6", 72-86F. Fast reproduction by runners; can create a lawn on large enough tank. Small plants; nice foreground lawn on large enough tank. Small plants; nice foreground display. (photo is bleheri)display. (photo is bleheri)

E. bleheri




• Lemna (duckweed, green plague)Lemna (duckweed, green plague) – Tiny (1/4") plant with a pair of leaves and Tiny (1/4") plant with a pair of leaves and

a root. Reproduces very quickly. A very a root. Reproduces very quickly. A very noxious weed, hard to eradicate, and noxious weed, hard to eradicate, and most fish don't like to eat it. Try a floating most fish don't like to eat it. Try a floating fern such as fern such as SalviniaSalvinia instead of this one. instead of this one.

• Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae (``micro Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae (``micro sword'')sword'') – 64-77F. This plant sold under this name is 64-77F. This plant sold under this name is

probably probably L. braziliensisL. braziliensis, a South American , a South American LiaeopsisLiaeopsis. It slowly spreads out in thick . It slowly spreads out in thick "turf" of grass, about three 1-3" long light "turf" of grass, about three 1-3" long light green grass-like leaves per plant. Nice green grass-like leaves per plant. Nice spawning medium, foreground plant.spawning medium, foreground plant.

L. braziliensis

““Rosette” Plants - 7Rosette” Plants - 7• Nuphar (spatterdock) Nuphar (spatterdock)

– Water lily-like plant. Usually sold as rhizome Water lily-like plant. Usually sold as rhizome end-cutting, which rots away in a month. Likes end-cutting, which rots away in a month. Likes colder temperatures. colder temperatures.

• Nymphaea (Water Lily, tiger lotus) Nymphaea (Water Lily, tiger lotus) – Bulb. Delicate leaves, colors varying from red Bulb. Delicate leaves, colors varying from red

to green with possible mottled spots, to green with possible mottled spots, depending on the variety. Pinch off floating depending on the variety. Pinch off floating leaves if you want only submerged ones. leaves if you want only submerged ones. Reproduction is by blooms, or side-tubers from Reproduction is by blooms, or side-tubers from the main bulb. Need 3-5 floating leaves for it to the main bulb. Need 3-5 floating leaves for it to bloom. bloom.

• Nymphoides aquatica (banana plant) Nymphoides aquatica (banana plant) – Olive-colored Heart-shaped leaves that look Olive-colored Heart-shaped leaves that look

superficially like water lily, and banana-like superficially like water lily, and banana-like tubers on roots. Plant by sticking the tubers 1/3 tubers on roots. Plant by sticking the tubers 1/3 in the gravel. Prefers lower temperatures. in the gravel. Prefers lower temperatures. Throws out floating leaves if light and Throws out floating leaves if light and fertilization is good. fertilization is good.




• Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) – Very demanding plant that prefers full sun (where it Very demanding plant that prefers full sun (where it

will grow the size of actual lettuce) over aquarium will grow the size of actual lettuce) over aquarium conditions (where it might be the size of a quarter). conditions (where it might be the size of a quarter). Reproduces by runners. Buy at water garden supply Reproduces by runners. Buy at water garden supply stores. stores.

• Sagittaria (sag, arrowhead) Sagittaria (sag, arrowhead) – Straight-bladed green grass. Many different Straight-bladed green grass. Many different

varieties, some small foreground plants, some varieties, some small foreground plants, some rather big. Hardy. Propagates by runner. rather big. Hardy. Propagates by runner. S. S. subulatasubulata grows 4-24" leaves and throws up small grows 4-24" leaves and throws up small white flowers in shallow water. 63-82F. white flowers in shallow water. 63-82F.

• Valisneria Valisneria – Grass. Reproduction by runners. Some find it grows Grass. Reproduction by runners. Some find it grows

wildly, then mostly dies off, in a cycle. Wide wildly, then mostly dies off, in a cycle. Wide temperatures 59-86F. temperatures 59-86F. V. spiralisV. spiralis (Italian val) has (Italian val) has ribbon-like leaves up to 20" (50cm) and throws up a ribbon-like leaves up to 20" (50cm) and throws up a spiral stalk when flowering. spiral stalk when flowering. V. tortifoliaV. tortifolia grows grows ``corkscrew'' leaves, hence its name Corkscrew val. ``corkscrew'' leaves, hence its name Corkscrew val. Other common species: Other common species: V. giganticaV. gigantica (Jungle Val). (Jungle Val).

Ferns and MossesFerns and Mosses

• Azolla (floating fern) Azolla (floating fern) – Floating fern that grows out in triangular ``rafts''. Buy at Floating fern that grows out in triangular ``rafts''. Buy at

water garden stores. water garden stores. • Bolbitus heudelotii (African water fern) Bolbitus heudelotii (African water fern)

– Slow-growing creeping rhizome with dark green, 8" (20cm) Slow-growing creeping rhizome with dark green, 8" (20cm) lobed leaves. Tie roots to bogwood like Java fern. Don't bury lobed leaves. Tie roots to bogwood like Java fern. Don't bury the rhizome in the gravel. Can be grown emersed with fast-the rhizome in the gravel. Can be grown emersed with fast-moving water. moving water.

• Ceratopteris (water sprite) Ceratopteris (water sprite) – Up to 20" (50cm) tall. Exists as rooted or floating specimens. Up to 20" (50cm) tall. Exists as rooted or floating specimens.

Good fry shelter, shade plant. Baby plants grow on older Good fry shelter, shade plant. Baby plants grow on older leaves. Confused with leaves. Confused with Hygrophila difformisHygrophila difformis sometimes. sometimes. Several different species and/or forms, which may require Several different species and/or forms, which may require more light than others. more light than others.

Ferns and Mosses - 2Ferns and Mosses - 2

• Microsorum pteropus (Java fern) Microsorum pteropus (Java fern) – `Ìt's actually `Ìt's actually MicrosorumMicrosorum but everyone but everyone

writes it as Microsorium,'' says Arie De writes it as Microsorium,'' says Arie De Graff (FAMA, 1991). This is one of the more Graff (FAMA, 1991). This is one of the more hardy aquarium plants. It roots itself to hardy aquarium plants. It roots itself to solid objects like bogwood and rocks solid objects like bogwood and rocks (attach with a piece of string or rubber (attach with a piece of string or rubber band to hold it in place at first) and has a band to hold it in place at first) and has a creeping rhizome which may be divided for creeping rhizome which may be divided for cuttings. Young plants will also develop cuttings. Young plants will also develop directly off spores, attached to old leaves, directly off spores, attached to old leaves, and can be cut off and rooted. In high light, and can be cut off and rooted. In high light, it produces tough, plastic-like leaves; it produces tough, plastic-like leaves; under low light the leaves are more under low light the leaves are more delicate. Fronds are up to 8" (20cm) long delicate. Fronds are up to 8" (20cm) long and undivided, though on older plants are and undivided, though on older plants are trilobade (three lobes to a frond).trilobade (three lobes to a frond).

Ferns and Mosses - 3Ferns and Mosses - 3

• Riccia fluitans (floating liverwort, crystalwort) Riccia fluitans (floating liverwort, crystalwort) – Big tangly glop like Java moss; good livebearer fry cover. Big tangly glop like Java moss; good livebearer fry cover.

Grows fast under high light. Grows fast under high light.

• Salvinia (floating fern) Salvinia (floating fern) – Small floating fern that grows in long chains of two oval Small floating fern that grows in long chains of two oval

leaves and a ``root-like'' third leaf. Easier to control than leaves and a ``root-like'' third leaf. Easier to control than duckweed. Buy it at water garden supply stores, as it's duckweed. Buy it at water garden supply stores, as it's too cheap for most aquarium shops. too cheap for most aquarium shops.

• Vesicularia dubyana (Java moss) Vesicularia dubyana (Java moss) – Grows in branching strands, tangling around other Grows in branching strands, tangling around other

plants. Dark green. Makes good spawning medium and plants. Dark green. Makes good spawning medium and cover for young fry. Min temp 75F. May dislike salt.cover for young fry. Min temp 75F. May dislike salt.

Echinodorus (Amazon Echinodorus (Amazon Sword) Sword)

• Many Echinodorus sp. Many Echinodorus sp. flower quite readily in flower quite readily in the aquarium. Mine do the aquarium. Mine do it frequently. Many it frequently. Many produce both plantlets produce both plantlets and flowers on the and flowers on the same flower scape. To same flower scape. To some extent it depends some extent it depends on whether the flower on whether the flower scape can get above scape can get above the water or not. Below the water or not. Below the water, plantlets the water, plantlets develop, above the develop, above the water, flowers are more water, flowers are more likely. likely.

Cryptocoryne blassi Cryptocoryne blassi

• Cryptocoryne blassi (rt fg), Cryptocoryne blassi (rt fg), Cryptocoryne crispatula(lt Cryptocoryne crispatula(lt fg), Bacopa monneri(rt bg) fg), Bacopa monneri(rt bg) The C blassi has leaves The C blassi has leaves which are 2.75" wide and which are 2.75" wide and 11" long. The stems are 11" long. The stems are about 17" on this plant. about 17" on this plant. The undersides of the The undersides of the leaves are a very dramatic leaves are a very dramatic reddish purple. These reddish purple. These shots show the leaves shots show the leaves lighted from the underside lighted from the underside using a couple of halogen using a couple of halogen spotlights to illustrate the spotlights to illustrate the beautiful coloration. beautiful coloration.

Plants you may considerPlants you may consider

Bacopa caroliniana-amplex broadleaf bacopa-submersed

Barclaya longifolia 'red' deep red dwarf African lily

Bolbitis heteroclita asian water fern

Cardamine lyrata lyreleaf watercress

The EndThe End

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Safe Plants and Decorations for your Aquarium (Part 2) Researched and Formatted by: Juanita Hoffman