© Show_ryu / CC BY-SA 3.0
The sumatra fernalso called Ceratopteris thalictroides, is an aquatic plant that grows very quickly under ideal conditions.
If you use CO2 fertilization in your tank, you can accelerate this process even further. The plant can outgrow smaller and open aquariums and form very beautiful above-water foliage.
Many people find the very fine leaf fronds very decorative and an eye-catcher in every tank.
The nice side effect of the rapid growth is the fact that the sumatra fern draws certain nutrients from the water. As a result, they can no longer be used by unsightly algae.
Ceratopteris thalictroides is suitable for both Beginner as well as for already experienced aquarist.
Genus:
waterhorn ferns
Hometown:
Asia, Australia, North and South America
Light requirements:
medium
Temperature:
18-30ºC
Growth:
fast, highly variable shaped leaves
pH:
5.0 – 9.0
Degree of hardness:
0-21 °dH
CO2:
not necessary
propagation:
through sprouting plants
Difficulty:
for beginners and advanced
Location in the aquarium:
background, water surface
Look
The sumatra fern can have different leaves. Sometimes they are rather coarse, but sometimes they are also filigree. As a rule, the leaves have stalks that are about 15 centimeters long. It is also a plant that forms rosettes. The light green fern fronds, which can grow up to 20 centimeters wide, are also striking.
distribution
The Sumatra fern is primarily found in different tropical regions. It is mostly found in shallow waters, but it also grows on muddy bottoms and even in paddy fields. For this reason, the plant is therefore also eaten as a vegetable. In nature, the sumatra fern is usually only one year old, but in the aquarium it can survive for several years.
husbandry conditions
The Sumatra fern is very robust and not particularly demanding. It forms leaves on the water surface and can be cultivated as a floating plant. Furthermore, it can also grow very well underground. Due to the very fast growth, the plant quickly takes up a lot of space in the tank. Therefore, the Sumatra fern is also very suitable as a solitary plant in the middle of the aquarium. There he offers young fish a welcome hiding place. In order for the sumatra fern to grow as desired, it needs warm and water that is as nutrient-rich as possible. The Light intensity should be medium to high.