Page 201 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

SUBSTRATE PLANTS 199

Vallisneria gigantea Echinodorus tenellus Sagittaria subulata
Giant Vallisneria Pygmy Chain Swordplant Dwarf Sagittaria

ORIGINS Mainland Southeast Asia and various islands, ORIGINS Occurs widely through the Americas, from the ORIGINS North America, where it occurs on the eastern
including New Guinea and the Philippines. state of Michigan to southern Brazil. side of the continent, down the Atlantic coast.
SIZE Leaves may be up to 40 in (1 m) long. SIZE Grows to a height of about 6 in (15 cm). SIZE About 6 in (15 cm) in height.
WATER Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C); soft WATER Temperature 59–79°F (15–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 55–79°F (13–26°C); hard
(50–100 mg/l) and around neutral (pH 6.5–7.2). (100–150 mg/l) and around neutral (pH 6.2–7.0). (100–150 mg/l) and around neutral (pH 6.5–7.5).
PROPAGATION Split off and transplant the runners PROPAGATION Separate and transplant runners. Can also PROPAGATION Split off runners produced by mature
produced by established plants. be grown from seed. plants and transplant them elsewhere.
This large, straight-leaved Vallisneria species makes A large expanse of this hardy, adaptable plant
a striking centerpiece for a large aquarium. resembles a grass lawn and provides a safe retreat
Cultivated strains that develop a reddish hue under for fry. To achieve this effect, place several plants
bright light are particularly in the mid-ground area, with gaps between them.
attractive. Changes in water Tall, straight They will soon spread out and fill in the gaps,
quality may cause this leaves especially on a coarse gravel substrate.
sensitive plant to die back.
Leaves may be
over 1 in Open-weave
(2.5 cm) wide plastic pots
constrain
root growth
Groups of these small swordplants form attractive
foreground cover in the tank. Cultivated strains
vary in height, so adjustments may be needed
once the plants are established. If allowed to grow
above the surface in shallow water, the leaves will
be broader, and flowers will be produced and
may give rise to fertile seed.

Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae Saururus cernuus
False Tenellus Lizard’s Tail

ORIGINS This plant is native to Australia and ORIGINS Range extends down the eastern side of North
New Zealand. America, from Canada to Florida.
SIZE Can grow to 3 in (7.5 cm) in height. SIZE Leaves may grow to 8 in (20 cm) in length.
WATER Temperature 64-82°F (18–28°C); soft WATER Temperature 64–75°F (18–24°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.4–7.0). (50–100 mg/l) and around neutral (pH 6.5–7.2).
PROPAGATION Readily produces runners that can be PROPAGATION Divide the rhizome, take cuttings, or split
split off and transplanted elsewhere. off and transplant runners.
Similar in appearance to the Pygmy Chain The name of this swamp-dwelling plant derives
Swordplant (see above), False Tenellus is a popular from the spiked arrangement of its yellowish-
choice for the foreground of the tank, partly white flowers. The leaves, which are a variable
because it grows well in a wide range of water shade of green, appear slightly
temperatures. This plant establishes itself readily hairy at first, but they become
and spreads well, especially when planted in a smoother as they age. Lizard’s
substrate that contains added nutrients. In fact, Tail grows from a rhizome but
False Tenellus can be so prolific that its growth thrives only when
may sometimes need to be curbed to prevent it it can spread both
from dominating the tank, since this could impair above and below
the efficiency of the undergravel filter and lead to the surface. It is a
a deterioration in water quality. False Tenellus is temperate plant
often sold in bunches, with each plant consisting so must not be
of one to three narrow leaves that taper to a point kept too warm. In
and lack a petiole (the part that usually connects a a pond, it should
leaf to the stem). Other Lilaeopsis species may also be containerized
become available to aquarists from time to time, so that it does
but they all look very much alike and have similar not damage Heart-shaped
growth characteristics and requirements. the lining. leaves

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