Java Fern (Microsorum petropus) is an easy-to-acquire 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
Now if you’ve found this article, you’re obviously looking for more info on Java Fern. The easiest way to plant Java Fern is to just put it in 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 choose where it will go by burying the roots in some gravel or tying it onto a piece of wood, rock, or other decor. Super glue gel is my favorite method to plant 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. Watch it grow in the tank! You must make sure that the rhizome, the twig-like portion of the plant, is not buried. All the roots and leaves extend out of this rhizome. If it is buried under gravel or sand it will rot. This plant has a great advantage: it doesn’t need substrate. Java Fern is a great choice for tanks with bare bottoms.
Growing Java Fern can be done with almost any type of light. It will appreciate any light that is available to it. Java Fern isn’t fussy about what kind of lighting you use or the wattage. However, Java Fern will do best if provided with a 6700k spectrum bulb. Any range from low to medium-high light is perfect for this plant. You can even burn it or melt it at the extreme end of the spectrum. So resist the urge to recreate the Sahara Desert over your tank. Java Fern is able to survive without much light. It can be kept in a bucket for up to a week and still live! One example: A bulb in one of my breeding tanks was burned out over several months. Yet, every time I put a light in the tank to catch the fry the Java Fern looked amazing!
If you have it planted and give it light, your Java Fern should soon start reproducing. Small Java Ferns form at the edges of the leaves. They drop off as they age and attach to whatever place they are supposed to land. 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. They are thick and sturdy. They can take a beating from a large cichlid or some goldfish who just like to play with them.
Finding Java Fern (Microsorum perteropus) should not be difficult. Once you’ve found it, and you’ve started to propagate them, you’ll be glad you did. Each one has a distinct look and requires the same growth requirements as we have.
Java fern ‘Windelov’
Java Fern can be dangerous so it is best to not over prune or start a tank. It is a slow-growing plant that can be difficult to control. A good crew of algae eaters and sucker fish go a long way to ensuring it wins the battle. It can be planted with other faster-growing plants such as Vallisneria.
If you do lose the battle to algae, just pull off a couple of leaves and float them in a dish of water under some light. You can then remove the plantlets and put them back in the tank. This will hopefully win the battle. So what are you waiting for? Enjoy Java Fern!