African Water Fern
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
The tips of the toothy leaves of the African Water Fern sometimes produce tiny replicas of this plant. MP & C Piednoir
[edit] Overview
The tough and wiry appearance of this unusual amphibious fern belies the delicacy of its nature. It looks like one of the tough guys of the aquatic world, with toothy-looking, dark green leaves borne on a scaly rhizome, but in cultivation it is very particular about the conditions in the aquarium. When kept under its ideal conditions, though, it grows very well--albeit slowly--and could even be considered hardy once it reaches about 10 inches in size.
Family: Lomariopsidaceae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Habitat: This amphibious fern is found both in and beside briskly moving streams and rivers with sandy and rocky bottoms.
Maximum height: 50 cm (20 in)
Lighting: Low to moderate.
Placement: In an area with good water flow and holdfasts in the form of rocks, driftwood, etc.
Water: Freshwater 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 25 °C (298 K, 77 °F)
[edit] Overview
When kept under ideal conditions, the African Water Fern grows very well--albeit slowly--and could even be considered hardy once it reaches about 10 inches in size.
[edit] Feeding
CO2 fertilization encourages speedy and vigorous growth.
[edit] Special Care
Clean, well-aerated water is key to success with the African Water Fern. Other water parameters are also important, but placing the plant in the outflow of the filter or near a powerhead mimics the ecology of its natural habitat very well.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
Vegetative, by shoots growing from the rhizome; sometimes by plantlets that develop on the leaf tips.
[edit] Notes
Plant the African Water Fern as you would Java Fern, by attaching the rhizome to driftwood or porous rocks or other suitable substrate. Suggestions about water chemistry, temperature, current, and light are non-negotiable,
| Common name | African Water Fern + |
| Family | Lomariopsidaceae + |
| Genus | Bolbitis + |
| Image credit | MP & C Piednoir + |
| Lighting | Low to moderate. + |
| Maximum height | 20 in + |
| Native range | Africa + |
| Placement | In an area with good water flow and holdfasts in the form of rocks, driftwood, etc. + |
| Reference | 101 Best Aquarium Plants + |
| Specific name | heudelotii + |
| Text credit | MES + |
| Water max temp | 298 K (25 °C, 77 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Freshwater + |