Fish Folk Posted July 3, 2022 Share Posted July 3, 2022 My passion in this hobby is breeding fish. But I love plants enough to propagate them a bit too. Here’s a video chat about a “mother” java fern. I’m plucking off baby ferns, and explaining a few things… Java Fern</a> — plucking mini ferns" width="200"> 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted July 3, 2022 Author Share Posted July 3, 2022 Watergardens where I like to breed guppies outdoors through the summer have been a special “revelation” for outdoor flowers. Water Hyacinth sends out new blossoms every few weeks… Other flowers stay in bloom, straight through the summer heat… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted July 3, 2022 Author Share Posted July 3, 2022 I like to trim / prune my water lettuce so that they get HUGE… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan12boy Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 On 7/3/2022 at 3:08 PM, Fish Folk said: Watergardens where I like to breed guppies outdoors through the summer have been a special “revelation” for outdoor flowers. Water Hyacinth sends out new blossoms every few weeks… Other flowers stay in bloom, straight through the summer heat… Do the roots of the water hyacinth grow crazy long? I would like them in a tank for that flowering but worried of it being like other floating plants where it takes over completely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted July 4, 2022 Author Share Posted July 4, 2022 On 7/4/2022 at 12:22 AM, dan12boy said: Do the roots of the water hyacinth grow crazy long? I would like them in a tank for that flowering but worried of it being like other floating plants where it takes over completely. Yes, in natural sunlight they grow very, very long / large. I have never tried propagating them indoors. I have had some aquarists suggest it's not possible without sunlight. But I've never really worked with good aquarium / plant lighting before. I want to believe it is possible. As for taking over, the roots do command a large area. I trim the new plant shoots away so that my tubs contain no more than 3x water hyacinths ever. Still, those three command a large area. But I find that fry love them, and micro life abound in and among those roots. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan12boy Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 On 7/4/2022 at 12:43 AM, Fish Folk said: Yes, in natural sunlight they grow very, very long / large. I have never tried propagating them indoors. I have had some aquarists suggest it's not possible without sunlight. But I've never really worked with good aquarium / plant lighting before. I want to believe it is possible. As for taking over, the roots do command a large area. I trim the new plant shoots away so that my tubs contain no more than 3x water hyacinths ever. Still, those three command a large area. But I find that fry love them, and micro life abound in and among those roots. Dang would have loved to have some flowering action in my tank. Only exceptional thing my plants have done is how my pearlweed and anacharis pearl a ton now even though I don't add any CO2 to the tank. Just easy green every two days. For surface coverage I've just been letting my jungle val leaves grow and my red lily is constantly growing lilies that I'm constantly cutting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted September 23, 2022 Author Share Posted September 23, 2022 (edited) Sharing some plant photos today. Nothing too amazing — my plants have to struggle to thrive — but I’m enjoying these as much as my fish today… Bamboo and Pothos growing emersed Crinum, Valisneria, Java moss, Sword, and Rhizome of something I’ve forgotten Tiger Lotus Aponogeton sp. Edited September 24, 2022 by Fish Folk 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabokovfan87 Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 How are things going in terms of plants @Fish Folk? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted January 4, 2023 Author Share Posted January 4, 2023 On 1/3/2023 at 8:06 PM, nabokovfan87 said: How are things going in terms of plants @Fish Folk? Well… let’s see here… I moved a bunch of plants into my son’s high school Biology classroom NANF tank. I’m kind of proud of the java moss growing on hidden Dragonstone. Here’s two short videos from Monday… Let me see… This big, distressed Java Fern keeps handing out babies Maybe not everyone’s ideal plant-scape 🌱 🪴 but I personally am happy with the Valisneria + Java Moss in this divided Killi 40 breeder My favorite bright and hardy plant, Hygrophila polysperma (Indian Swampweed) still kicking here and there… The red Tiger Lily (?) lotus thingamajig plant 😂 is … still alive… As is the Aponogeton (sp?) in same Rainbow Shiner growout tank… More “inspiring” than functional right now, the Pothos jugs are going strong… This old Anubias (??) is still struggling along in one of my small NANF tanks… It might be going on 3x years since I jammed this Pothos into 2x Aqueon 75 HOBs… Lots of Najas where Guppies are born… 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted July 22, 2023 Author Share Posted July 22, 2023 First time I’ve ever seen Amazon Swords multiplying. Confession: I bought this with the runners and baby plants attached. Still mesmerizing… 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted August 1, 2023 Author Share Posted August 1, 2023 Just got a haul of new plants for my NANF 45 gal… 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted September 4, 2023 Author Share Posted September 4, 2023 (edited) Very interesting growth off of an anubias. Maybe a “flower” of some sort?? Edited September 4, 2023 by Fish Folk 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabokovfan87 Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 Yep! that's a flower. 🙂 Nicely done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted December 16, 2023 Author Share Posted December 16, 2023 (edited) It’s “Plants Night” here at Fish Folk HQ. Started out snapping a photo here and there… and ended up with a bunch. For perspective: (1) I am _not_ an aquascaper. (2) I am a passionate amateur hobbyist fish breeder. (3) I do breeding _more like_ L. R. Bretz —without his skill— than other approaches. As an East Coast guy, I’ll admit that West Coast folks are generally WAY better with plants that we are. These plants are partly functional (context for fry, ammonia and nitrate absorption) and partly ornamental. Here are some shots with notes… (1) Riccia — fascinating top-water plant, excellent for top-water fish fry. It tends to grow best when attached to a matten wall, etc. with some gentle but constant water-flow or airflow. Buy a little, forget about it, and check on it after several months. (2) Java Moss. This stuff is essential fir breeding certain fish. It can multiply down low, or attached mid water column to structure. It is a moody plant that tends to explode when it begins in a large bunch. There are very different kinds. (3) Najas (Guppy Grass). This is helpful for live-bearer colonies, allowing fry to easily hide. I am not sure how to get it to stop growing! (4) Hornwort (Coon-tail). A bit prickly, this plant is considered “cantankerous” because if it is unhappy, it will drop it needles suddenly. Keys for me seem to be: keeping water stable, feeding some liquid fertilizer, and avoiding overly warm water. Female Bluefin Killifish sayin’ “heeeey!” (5) Valisneria americana. This is one of my more versatile plants. I like it in tall tanks a lot. It can grow hot or cold. I just like the way it looks. (6) Aponogeton (bolivanus?). This one is just big and fun. Left side of photo. It’s similar to a Sword — seen in background. (7) Amazon Sword. This one has done well in a cold water tank for years now. Occasionally I add a root tab. It’s actually a favorite of small fish, who love hiding between leaves. (8) Anubias. This one is rocking three flowers right now! Much more ornamental than functional, it may be the most beautiful plant in an aquarium when, after many years, it covers everything. (9) Bronze Crypt. This colorful plant is really pleasing to the eye. It grows long, long roots through the substrate, and will pass on from one aquarist to another fairly well. Get lots, and it won’t disappoint. (10) Java Fern. This had a few dead leaves, but it is a huge “mother-plant” that has given birth to J-ferns all over my fishroom. We got this one years ago at a fish club auction. (11) Water Lettuce (and duckweed). I had the WORST time finding Water lettuce for my tubs last spring. Never again! I’m going full-throttle, keeping my own alive here all winter long. These are excellent nitrate absorbers, and their long roots provide ample hiding places for fish fry. The duckweed is a bit annoying, but plays a part in the eco system. (12) Aquaponics herbs & Bamboo. I’m growing Basil, Oregano, and Rosemary to eat in this Aquaponics setup. Bamboo is more ornamental — for fun. This setup zeros out my nitrates completely. I feed plant food regularly. (13) Hygrophila polysperma (Indian swampweed). This is my favorite fast-growing stem plant. It has bright, light green leaves. It is easy, easy, easy! (14) Tiger Lotus. Entirely ornamental, this plant will either thrive or crash for you. I’m not terribly sure what conditions it needs, but it is stunning in some tanks… a failure in others. Of the “red plants” this is perhaps the easiest. (15) Pothos. My sister got us started with tiny cuttings… we have kept going for years and years. I use them to filter water in HOB filters, aquaponics baskets, or — here — in fry jugs. (16) Unknown … (sword species?) This plant looked nice with these Rainbow Shiners. Beautiful plants + beautiful fish = happy NERM. Edited December 16, 2023 by Fish Folk 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 On 12/15/2023 at 10:41 PM, Fish Folk said: It’s “Plants Night” here at Fish Folk HQ. Started out snapping a photo here and there… and ended up with a bunch. For perspective: (1) I am _not_ an aquascaper. (2) I am a passionate amateur hobbyist fish breeder. (3) I do breeding _more like_ L. R. Bretz —without his skill— than other approaches. As an East Coast guy, I’ll admit that West Coast folks are generally WAY better with plants that we are. These plants are partly functional (context for fry, ammonia and nitrate absorption) and partly ornamental. Here are some shots with notes… (1) Riccia — fascinating top-water plant, excellent for top-water fish fry. It tends to grow best when attached to a matten wall, etc. with some gentle but constant water-flow or airflow. Buy a little, forget about it, and check on it after several months. (2) Java Moss. This stuff is essential fir breeding certain fish. It can multiply down low, or attached mid water column to structure. It is a moody plant that tends to explode when it begins in a large bunch. There are very different kinds. (3) Najas (Guppy Grass). This is helpful for live-bearer colonies, allowing fry to easily hide. I am not sure how to get it to stop growing! (4) Hornwort (Coon-tail). A bit prickly, this plant is considered “cantankerous” because if it is unhappy, it will drop it needles suddenly. Keys for me seem to be: keeping water stable, feeding some liquid fertilizer, and avoiding overly warm water. Female Bluefin Killifish sayin’ “heeeey!” (5) Valisneria americana. This is one of my more versatile plants. I like it in tall tanks a lot. It can grow hot or cold. I just like the way it looks. (6) Aponogeton (bolivanus?). This one is just big and fun. Left side of photo. It’s similar to a Sword — seen in background. (7) Amazon Sword. This one has done well in a cold water tank for years now. Occasionally I add a root tab. It’s actually a favorite of small fish, who love hiding between leaves. (8) Anubias. This one is rocking three flowers right now! Much more ornamental than functional, it may be the most beautiful plant in an aquarium when, after many years, it covers everything. (9) Bronze Crypt. This colorful plant is really pleasing to the eye. It grows long, long roots through the substrate, and will pass on from one aquarist to another fairly well. Get lots, and it won’t disappoint. (10) Java Fern. This had a few dead leaves, but it is a huge “mother-plant” that has given birth to J-ferns all over my fishroom. We got this one years ago at a fish club auction. (11) Water Lettuce (and duckweed). I had the WORST time finding Water lettuce for my tubs last spring. Never again! I’m going full-throttle, keeping my own alive here all winter long. These are excellent nitrate absorbers, and their long roots provide ample hiding places for fish fry. The duckweed is a bit annoying, but plays a part in the eco system. (12) Aquaponics herbs & Bamboo. I’m growing Basil, Oregano, and Rosemary to eat in this Aquaponics setup. Bamboo is more ornamental — for fun. This setup zeros out my nitrates completely. I feed plant food regularly. (13) Hygrophila polysperma (Indian swampweed). This is my favorite fast-growing stem plant. It has bright, light green leaves. It is easy, easy, easy! (14) Tiger Lotus. Entirely ornamental, this plant will either thrive or crash for you. I’m not terribly sure what conditions it needs, but it is stunning in some tanks… a failure in others. Of the “red plants” this is perhaps the easiest. (15) Pothos. My sister got us started with tiny cuttings… we have kept going for years and years. I use them to filter water in HOB filters, aquaponics baskets, or — here — in fry jugs. (16) Unknown … (sword species?) This plant looked nice with these Rainbow Shiners. Beautiful plants + beautiful fish = happy NERM. I understand this is a plant thread, but man, I gotta get me some rainbow shiners. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewbie Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 One plant i didn't see was crypt aponogetifolia; this plant is very similar to aponogeton boivinianus in appearance but much larger; i have a couple; they are larger but not quite as nice a green or as wide of a leaf; but my boivinianus are massive - one of them is filling 1/4 of a 180 gallon aquarium. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted December 17, 2023 Author Share Posted December 17, 2023 On 12/16/2023 at 7:53 AM, Chris said: I understand this is a plant thread, but man, I gotta get me some rainbow shiners. Fact check: ✅ Truth 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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