A spotty Java Fern + a Betta...

[jstass]

Hi:

Having a problem with my Java Fern - many of the leaves seem to be
getting spotty and "eaten" away. The plant is in a 2gal container
with my betta, the water levels are all right - ph 6.8 no ammonia or
nitrates... temp at 72 C.
Not overly concerned about the plant, more worried that whatever is
wrong with the plant will affect my fishy. Please advise. The
lighting isn't the best for the fern, but I just don't want to kill my
fishy.

J

[Jeff Pratt]

jstass wrote:

> Hi:
>
> Having a problem with my Java Fern - many of the leaves seem to be
> getting spotty and "eaten" away. The plant is in a 2gal container
> with my betta, the water levels are all right - ph 6.8 no ammonia or
> nitrates... temp at 72 C.
> Not overly concerned about the plant, more worried that whatever is
> wrong with the plant will affect my fishy. Please advise. The
> lighting isn't the best for the fern, but I just don't want to kill my
> fishy.
>
> J

Watch for little plantlets coming out underneath the spotty leaves. For
some reason my java ferns do this regularly. First I get nice green lush
growth, then some of the leaves start to get spotty and ragged, then
beneath the spotty leaves I can see little bright green buds that grow out
into new plants, and the leaf slowly dies off. Once the leaf is basically
dead, I'll pluck it and tie it upside down (plantlets up) to a bit of rough
rock (sandstone works well) or bogwood. The parent leaf will slowly rot
away to nothing while the plantlets shoot out new growth and attach
thenselves to the rock or bogwood. Once the plantlets are firmly attached,
you can snip the line holding the parent leaf, and prune away the remainder
of the parent.

Or you can just prune away the spotty leaves (I use a pair of fold up sewing
scissors), and the green growth will take off for a while again.

Jeff

[Lady Samsara]

(jstass) wrote in message >...
> Hi:
>
> Having a problem with my Java Fern - many of the leaves seem to be
> getting spotty and "eaten" away. The plant is in a 2gal container
> with my betta, the water levels are all right - ph 6.8 no ammonia or
> nitrates... temp at 72 C.
> Not overly concerned about the plant, more worried that whatever is
> wrong with the plant will affect my fishy. Please advise. The
> lighting isn't the best for the fern, but I just don't want to kill my
> fishy.
>
> J

Your lighting is probably not right for the plant. While I don't know
lots on plant requirements I believe certain lighting and/or additives
to the water are needed for them. I remember (way back) I tried a
couple of real plants in my Betta tank and they never lived. Now I use
silk and just replace them when they start to look bad. I'd google
the aquarium sites for plant care if you're really interested.

Good luck!

[jstass]

Thanks for the posts really appreciate them. I have started to use
recommended additives. My primary concern, however, is if this plant
could in any way be bad for my fishy "Maing." I'd hate to be killing
the poor guy because something is wrong with the plant. Maing seems
just fine, but I just got him to replace Jaws who didn't live very
long at all...