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Hi,
I bought some Malay fern (not sure of scientific name) from the pet shop about 1 - 2 weeks ago. The guy at the shop couldn't tell me much about it. Does it need alot of light? It is in my tank in a spot with a lot of water movement and a fair bit of oxygen, and is in a bright spot in my tank. Now it is starting to look a little unwell - the edges of the branches are drooping a little. I moved two of the plants to a spot with less oxygen and water flow. While my nitrates are not that high at the moment, and my lighting is only 0.25w/L my other plants are going fine - java fern, ambulia, 2 different lilly type plants (looks like a nymphaea and hydrocotyle), ludwigia (i think). Any info on this plant would help alot, thanks.

misty666660

That makes it a little bit on the hard side. Contact the shop and ask for the full scientific name if he does not know ask him to get it from his suplier. If all else fails post a photo of the plant.

Keith

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ok, i had a good look on the net and Selaginella plana seems to be what it is. Only problem is that it is a terrestrial plant suitable for terrariums. It also said they tend to grow in shaded positions. So will my plant (if it is selaginella - i will ask at the shop when i am there next) survive in my aquarium? If i have it so that just the stem and roots are submerged will it survive? Also if the branches are above the water line they will get strong light - could this cause more problems? It is a really beautiful plant and i would like to see it live. I could move it to a small tank where it would only get moderate indirect light. What do you think?

Hi,
If it is indeed a terrestrial plant suitable for a
terrarium then it will not survive in an aquarium.
I frequently see plants that are terrestrial or bog
plants sold in LFSs as aquarium plants. The constant
submersion causes them to go soft, and eventually rot
away.
Even moving the plant "up" in the water column to the
point where just the roots and a part of the stalk
are submersed may not work, as the roots become soft
and mushy and die.

You might consider a covered terrarium for it, and
perhaps a salamander or something similiar.

Frank


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