In the event that substrate is used in the tank, avoid burying your fern in it as this will cause the plant to rot. They are perfect for tanks with bare bottoms because they don't require substrates like gravel or sand. The plants need low lighting conditions in the tank because you'll typically find them in shady areas of the wild. Java Fern Aquarium Conditions & Requirementsĭue to their low maintenance needs and hardiness, java ferns are simple to care for. Java Fern Facts & Overview Scientific name: While they all share the same growth requirements, each of these has a distinctive appearance. They can withstand abuse from a large cichlid or some goldfish who are just playing with them.Īfter you've discovered it and begun to spread it, you should be aware that there are additional java fern varieties available, including Java Fern Trident, Java Fern Needle Leaf, Java Fern 'Windelov,' Java Fern Narrow Leaf, and other less well-known varieties. The leaves are also incredibly heavy and rough. Even many plant-eating fish will not eat Java Fern because the majority of fish dislike its flavor. 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. For them to swim in, java ferns can produce a jungle that is constantly changing. This is a great way to prepare a new tank or to grow it to give to a new fish friend.Īquarium fish enjoy swimming through these plants, which is an added bonus. The plant even has a backup plan in case of an emergency in the event that it begins to wither, it immediately produces new plantlets, sometimes as many as 20 offspring per leaf. In the aquarium, you can also break off pieces of leaves to let them float. Once they reach adulthood, they drop off and attach to whatever should land there. The edges of the leaves develop into tiny Java ferns. Your Java Fern will begin to reproduce as soon as it is planted and receiving light. Java Fern can survive with so little light that many aquarium hobbyists have left it in a bucket for several weeks and it still thrives! For instance, a bulb burned out in one of my breeding tanks for several months, but every time I shone a light into the tank to catch the fry, the Java Fern looked fantastic! The Sahara Desert should not be imitated over your tank, so resist the urge. You can actually burn or melt it at very high light levels. This plant thrives in any range of low to medium light. But if you give Java Fern a 6700k spectrum bulb, she'll thrive. In fact, it will be grateful for any happiness in its life! Java Fern doesn't care what lighting spectrum or even how many watts you're using. The fact that java fern doesn't need substrate makes it an excellent choice for tanks with bare bottoms.Īlmost any light will do when it comes to growing Java Fern. It will rot if buried beneath sand or gravel. This rhizome is where all the roots and leaves come from. Watch it grow after you put it in the tank! The only thing to be careful of is not burying the plant's rhizome, which resembles a twig. After 30 seconds of holding it against the glue, let it air dry for an additional 3 minutes. Make a small bead of glue and place it on the piece of décor to which you want to attach the fern. Super glue gel is my go-to method for planting Java fern.

By putting the roots in some gravel or tying them to a piece of wood, rock, or other decor, you can also decide where it will go.

Java fern aquarium plant