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

If you have found this article, it is likely that you are looking for more information about Java Fern. It is very easy to plant Java Fern. All you have to do is add it to 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. My favorite way to plant Java Fern is to use super glue gel. Make a simple bead with glue. Simply attach the decoration you want to plant the fern to. For 30 seconds, hold it against the glue and let dry. It will grow quickly if you place it in the tank. You must make sure that the rhizome, the twig-like portion of the plant, is not buried. The rhizome contains all roots and leaves. It will rot if it gets buried in gravel or sand. Java Fern can be used in bare-bottom tanks. This is a huge benefit.

When it comes to growing Java Fern, almost any light will do. The Java Fern will appreciate any lighting that comes its way! Java Fern doesn’t care about the type of lighting or how many watts you use. Java Fern is most at home with a spectrum 6700k bulb. This plant can tolerate any light level, from very low to extremely high. At the very high end range of light, you can actually burn or melt it. So resist the urge to recreate the Sahara Desert over 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! For example, one of my breeding tanks had a bulb burned out for several months; yet every time I shined a light into the tank to catch the fry, the Java Fern looked great!

Assuming you’ve got it planted and are giving it some light, your Java Fern will soon be 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 have found the Java Fern and begun to propagate it, it is worth knowing that there are many other Java Fern varieties available. These include Java Fern Trident and Java Fern Needle Leaf. Java Fern Windelov’ and Java Fern Narrow Leaf. There are also other lesser-known varieties. Each of these has a unique look to them with all the same growth requirements we already learned.

Java fern ‘Windelov’

It is important to avoid over-pruning Java Fern plants or starting a new 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 also be planted with fast-growing plants like Vallisneria.

If you lose the battle against algae, simply pull off a few leaves and let them float in some water. Once it makes some plantlets, remove those and start them in the tank again free of algae, and hopefully winning the battle this time around. So what are you waiting for? Enjoy Java Fern!