Amateur aquarist and mollusc enthusiast.
Species info and tips for our favorite aquatic plants.
Vallisneria spiralis (aka jungle val, straight vallisneria, tape grass, or eel grass) is a common aquarium plant, and is a good choice for beginners. It is quick to self-propagate through runners, and tolerates a wide range of water temperatures.
Continue reading “Jungle Val (Vallisneria spiralis) – Species Profile”
Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri or Vesicularia dubyana) is a popular and adaptable aquarium plant. It has miniscule leaves lined up along spindly stems that grow in all directions. Like all mosses, it does not have true roots. It uses rhizoids to attach itself to hard surfaces like wood or rock. It grows primarily above the water line where humidity is high; however, it is able to adapt to being completely submerged in water, and it can also grow free floating.
Care Level: Easy
Preferred Water: pH 5.5 to 8.0, Soft to Hard
Minimum Lighting: Low
Temperature: 64°F to 86°F (17.78°C to 30°C)
Leaf Size: Length, 1 mm or less Continue reading “Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri) – Species Profile”
Lemna minor (aka Common Duckweed, Lesser Duckweed, or simply Duckweed) is a notorious plant among the fishkeeping community. This plant is such an efficient grower, it is often considered a nuisance! It is a very common floating plant that is also very small. In fact it is one of the world’s smallest flowering plants. It has a distinctive appearance, small with two or three leaves. Each leaf produces one short, spindly root.
Care Level: Easy
Preferred Water: pH 6.5 to 8, No hardness preference
Minimum Lighting: Moderate to Bright
Temperature Range: 42.8°F to 91.4°F (6°C to 33°C)
Leaf Size: Length, up to 0.04″ to 0.3″ (1 mm to 8 mm) Continue reading “Lemna minor (Duckweed) – Species Profile”