This plant has gained its popularity for its unique appearance and unpretentious care. Indian fern in aquariums is often used as a design element. This culture is one of the most ancient on the planet. For the first time, the now popular aquarium plant, the Indian fern, appeared on Earth back in the days of the dinosaurs. Then it grew in the waters of warm oceans.
Today people buy Indian fern for aquariums. It is very popular among fans of keeping decorative artificial reservoirs. In addition to aesthetic functions, this plant is of great benefit to fish and other inhabitants of the aqua. In this article, we will look at a photo of an Indian fern, talk about its characteristics and 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 habitat conditions inartificial reservoir. It is for this reason that novice florists purchase Indian fern for aquariums.
The plant is distinguished not only by its unpretentiousness, but also by its chic appearance. Thin branches depart from a large stem, strewn with many small, finely dissected leaves. Their color can vary from rich dark to bluish. The color of the Indian fern for aquariums depends on the chemical composition of the water and the intensity of the lighting. The size of the algae also depends on this. Under favorable conditions, the fern can 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 are part of 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 it grows in its natural environment
Indian fern prefers warm tropical places. It is ubiquitous in water bodies in Asia, South America and Australia. Favorable terrain for him are marshy places with excess moisture. Therefore, when buying this variety 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 to natural as possible.
Indianfern in the aquarium: photo and content
Keeping this plant in an aquarium is quite easy. The fern is very hardy, and for active development it needs good lighting and quality soil. In order for the bush to be lush and he althy, you need to create several conditions for it. First of all, you should seriously consider the selection of soil. It should be soft and fluffy. When laying it on the bottom of the aquarium, the layer thickness should be at least four centimeters. Fern roots are branched and powerful, but very fragile. This should be taken into account when planting it in an aquarium. The content of the Indian fern should be carried out in warm water. Its temperature should be at least +25 degrees Celsius. This is very important, because at lower settings, crop growth slows down. At the same time, water hardness should not exceed 6dH, and acidity should not exceed 6.5 pH.
Frequently change the water in the aquarium is not worth it. Fern loves settled water. For intensive growth, this plant does not require any fertilizer at all. It fully takes nutrients from water and soil.
The 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. Doing so may scorch its leaves.
Role in the aquarium
If there is only one crop in the tank, then the water does not need aeration and filtration systems. The fern itself is a natural filter and perfectly purifies water. Alsothis is acceptable if the other inhabitants of the aquarium do not require a crystal clear liquid. This culture not only purifies water from various harmful substances, but also prevents the appearance of harmful plants in the container. It is noteworthy that the plant is ideal for breeding small breeds of aquarium fish. For example, its thickets are a favorite place for bettas 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 dense thickets of culture. However, fish that like to dig in the ground 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 small container, and placed in an aquarium. This will help protect the roots from such fish. In addition, it is not recommended to keep a fern in an aquarium along with other vegetation. This can lead to intertwining of roots and the death of the culture. The best option in this case would be the single content option.
Reproduction
Growing and propagating the 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 in favorable conditions this will not affect its development and growth. The process of reproduction itself occurs through the formationshoots on old leaves of the bush. First, small young leaves appear, followed by root lobes. When the shoots are fully formed, they will get rid of the mother plant. After that, they remain free to float on the surface of the water. It is noteworthy that young shoots can also be grown as 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 explained by a violation of the rules for the care and maintenance of culture. Before you place a fern in a container for keeping, you need to study which chemical composition of the water favorably affects it, and which one can destroy it. Also, the plant is not able to coexist with all types of fish. Some of them are not averse to eating attractive fern leaves. The direct rays of the sun in the summer can lead to burns of the bush. All these factors can lead to deterioration and further death of the plant. The main symptom in this case is the appearance of yellowness on the leaves. If the lace Indian fern is kept in favorable conditions, it never gets sick.
