This plant has gained its popularity for its unique appearance and unpretentiousness in care. Indian fern in aquariums is often used as a design element. This culture is one of the oldest on the planet. For the first time, the now popular aquarium plant, Indian fern, appeared on Earth in the time of the dinosaurs. Then it grew in the waters of warm oceans.
Today, people buy Indian ferns for aquariums. It is very popular among lovers of decorative artificial ponds. In addition to aesthetic functions, this plant is of great benefit to fish and other aquatic inhabitants. In this article we will consider a photo of an Indian fern, talk about its characteristics and the features of caring for it.
general description
This culture, like other members of the family, is very hardy and can adapt to a variety of living conditions in an artificial reservoir. It is for this reason that novice florists acquire Indian ferns for aquariums.
The plant is not only unpretentious, but also has a chic appearance. Thin branches, strewn with many small finely divided leaves, depart from the large stem. Their color can vary from saturated dark to bluish. The color of the Indian fern for aquariums depends on the chemical composition of the water and the light intensity. The size of the algae also depends on this. Under favorable conditions, the fern is able to grow up to half a meter in height. The branches in this case will be covered with lush vegetation. For this feature, it is also called lace.
Indian fern is a kind of filter. It is able to absorb harmful substances that make up the water. Aquarists say that it is desirable to place it in the central part of the aquarium. In this case, it will bring the greatest benefit to its inhabitants.
Where grows in the natural environment
Indian fern prefers warm tropical places. It is ubiquitous in water bodies in Asia, South America and Australia. Favorable areas for it are marshy places with excess moisture. Therefore, when buying this species of fern, it is worth considering that the plant loves heat very much. Therefore, the environment in which it will be placed should be as close as possible to the natural one.
Indian fern in the aquarium: photo and content
Keeping this plant in the aquarium is easy enough. The fern is very hardy, and for active development it needs good lighting and high-quality soil. In order for the bush to be lush and healthy, you need to create several conditions for it. First of all, it is worth taking soil selection seriously. It should be soft and loose. When laying it on the bottom of the aquarium, the layer thickness should be at least four centimeters. The roots of the fern are branched and powerful, but very fragile. This should be taken into account when landing it in the aquarium. The content of Indian fern should be carried out in warm water. Its temperature should be at least +25 degrees Celsius. This is very important, since at lower parameters the growth of the culture slows down. In this case, the water hardness should not exceed 6dH, and the acidity should not exceed 6.5 pH.
Often changing the water in the aquarium is not worth it. Fern loves protected water. For intensive growth, this plant absolutely does not require any fertilizer. It fully takes nutrients from water and soil.
Fern is a photophilous plant. To do this, you can install powerful lamps or place the aquarium in a well-lit place. However, the plant does not tolerate direct sunlight. This can cause burns to its leaves.
Role in the aquarium
If there is only one culture in the tank, then the water does not need aeration and filtration systems. Fern itself is a natural filter and perfectly purifies water. It is also permissible if other inhabitants of the aquarium do not need crystal clear liquid. This culture not only cleans water from various harmful substances, but also prevents the appearance of harmful plants in the tank. It is noteworthy that the plant is ideal for breeding small breeds of aquarium fish. For example, its thickets are a favorite place for males and guppies.
Compatible with other aquarium inhabitants
A notable feature of the Indian fern is its ability to get along with most aquarium fish. Small breeds are happy to hide in the dense thickets of culture. However, fish who like to dig the soil will not be the best neighbors. Burrowing into the bottom, they can damage the fragile roots of the plant, which will certainly lead to its death. In this case, the fern can be planted in a separate container of small size, and placed in an aquarium. This will help protect the roots from such fish. In addition, it is not recommended to keep fern in the aquarium along with other vegetation. This can lead to interweaving of roots and death of the culture. The best option in this case is single content.
Breeding
Growing and propagating Indian fern is a fairly simple task. If you follow all the necessary rules for the maintenance of this plant, then it will regularly form young shoots. It is noteworthy that under favorable conditions this will not affect its development and growth. The process of reproduction itself occurs through the formation of processes on the old leaves of the bush. At first, small young leaves appear, and after them the root lobes. When the processes are fully formed, they get rid of the mother plant. After that, they remain free to swim on the surface of the water. It is noteworthy that young shoots can be grown in the form of a floating plant. But if you want to get a new full-fledged underwater fern, the shoots are planted in the ground.
Diseases
Indian fern is one of those plants that is not susceptible to any disease. Any deviations are due to a violation of the rules of care and maintenance of the culture. Before you place the fern in a container for maintenance, you need to study which chemical composition of water favorably affects it, and which can destroy. Also, the plant is not able to coexist with all types of fish. Some of them are not averse to feasting on attractive fern leaves. The direct rays of the sun in the summer can cause burns to the bush. All these factors can lead to deterioration and further death of the plant. The main symptom is the appearance of yellowness on the leaves. If the lacy Indian fern is kept in favorable conditions, it never gets sick.