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Bolbitis heudelotii - African bolbitis
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Reviews
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Date product posted
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0
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3917
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Tue May 3, 2005
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Recommended By
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No recommendations
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None indicated
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Description:
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Common Name: African bolbitis, African Water Fern
Scientific Name: Bolbitis heudelotii
Light:Very Low to Very High
Co2: Not essential to growth
Level of Difficulty: Medium
B. heudelotii originates in the tropics of Western Africa, from Ethopia to South Africa and is similar to the more common Microsorum pteropus or Java fern. B. heudelotii is a fern-like plant that grows along waterways with its roots submerged. It has slightly transparent, dark green leaves with many branches. It grows these leaves from a horiztonal rhizome from which roots grow.
It will grow in low light conditions without Co2 or good water column fertilization but it thrives in mid to high light conditions with Co2 levels and fertilization. It is purported to fare best in soft, acidic water with a high Co2 concentration and a slight current. The growth of this plant is quite slow.
Adult specimens can get quite large (reportedly up to 20”), however, and so are only suitable for medium to large aquariums over the long term. Bolbitis heudelotti attaches itself to wood and rocks and makes an ideal cover for these structures. Cotton or nylon thread, or water safe staples and tacks, can be used to secure this plant to wood or rocks. In time, the roots will anchor themselves around the object and will retain a firm grasp on their own. Care must be taken not to bury the rhizome of this plant as it will rot away and the plant will die if it becomes covered with gravel.
As the fern ages, it will develop long, hair-like brown roots which dangle from the rhizome. When hanging from an elevated piece of driftwood, these roots give an utterly natural and swamp or lake-like feel to the aquascape. These roots provide hiding places for small fish and light shy species such as otos and small plecos find refuge in the tight growing leaves, often hiding along the stems or rhizome structures.
The leaves of this species are quite tough and are not normally eaten by herbivorous fish.
Propagation can be performed by making a sharp cut through the rhizome, leaving at least two or three leaves per section of rhizome. These will continue to spread from the rhizome, forming new leaves and roots.
This plant can be difficult to grow although it becomes more hardy once it is established and reaches maturity.
Can be grown emersed.
This plant is not widely available, though its popularity is gaining. Microsorum pteropus “windelov” provides an alternative in terms of similar appearance.
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