Java Fern

Environment

It is suitable for tanks from 20 liters, between 20 and 28 °C, pH 5.5 to 7.5. Like anubias, it is a rhizome plant that attaches to driftwood and stones rather than rooting in the substrate. It tolerates low to moderate light and is ideally used in the midground or background.

Feeding

It does not require CO2 or a rich substrate, drawing its nutrients from the water column; light liquid fertilization promotes its growth. Excessive lighting is unnecessary and encourages algae.

Health & common diseases

Java Fern is a hardy plant rarely affected by diseases. Main issues are nutrient deficiencies (yellow or translucent leaves) and iron deficiency (yellowing of new leaves), as well as algae colonizing slow-growing older leaves. Excess light encourages algae, while burying the rhizome in the substrate causes it to rot. Prevention: maintain moderate lighting, attach the rhizome to a support (rock, driftwood), fertilize regularly with complete liquid fertilizer and remove leaves heavily covered with algae.

Tips & tankmates

The rhizome must not be buried: attach the plant to a support, keeping the rhizome exposed in the water. Burying the rhizome is the classic mistake that causes the plant to rot. It propagates spontaneously by plantlets that appear on older leaves: let them develop then detach them. Small brown spots under the leaves are sori (reproduction) and not a disease.

Sources

• Microsorum pteropus — Wikipédia
• Microsorum pteropus — Wikipedia (EN)