Growth Rate: Slow
Aquaria Placement: Midground-background and on hardscapes
Light Requirements: Low-high
Fertilizer Requirements: Light to medium
Special Requirements: Likes lots of flow
Bolbitis Heudelotii, also known as the African Water Fern is an absolute eye catcher, with its beautiful lime green and slightly transparent leaves. This species like many other ferns is very undemanding, which allows this species to thrive in almost any setting. A great species for nature aquariums.
Bolbitis Heudelotii is a rhizome plant, therefore the hard rhizome root must be kept above the substrate. The species can be attached to hardscapes and will root quickly and very securely. The hardy leaves discourage most herbivores, which make this plant a great choice for African Cichlid aquariums. Emersed growth is also stunning, with shorter fronds, this species works very well in terrariums and paludariums, whether on soil or at the waters edge.
The fronds can vary quite a bit with this species, depending on the parameters, it could be ~6-20" long. Due to the potential size, utilizing it as a background is ideal. The growth rate is fairly slow, even with injected co2, high lights, and fertilization, but once it's acclimated it would offer very steady growth. Recommended to keep the species out of high direct lighting.
Propagation of this species is easy, rhizome division is often times the simplest way.
Plants are sold in 3-4" rhizomes with several Fronds, plants already attached to stones are also available. All grown submersed in Canada.