Java Fern
Microsorum pteropus · family Polypodiaceae
- Light
- Low
- CO₂
- Not required
- Temperature
- 18–28 °C
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–19 °dGH
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Height
- up to 35 cm
- Placement
- Epiphyte
- Root feeder
- No
Pros and cons
- One of the toughest aquarium plants — survives sudden parameter swings
- Needs neither CO₂ nor strong lighting
- Reproduces via plantlets on old leaves — endless free stock
- Ignored by herbivorous fish and snails
- Very slow growth: a bush won't cover the tank quickly
- Rhizome must not be buried in substrate
- Without potassium and nitrogen, leaves turn black
Description
One of the most indestructible species for the freshwater aquarium. Like anubias, it's an epiphyte: the rhizome must not be attached to the substrate.
Many cultivars exist — Windelov, Tropica, Trident, Narrow Leaf — each with a different leaf shape.
Care
Black dots on the leaves
The black dots on the underside are not a disease but sporangia for reproduction. Plantlets form on them.
FAQ
- Why are my Java fern leaves turning black?
- Most often macronutrient deficiency (especially nitrogen and potassium), or because the rhizome was buried in the substrate. Remove the affected leaves and fix the cause.
Goldie editorial team
Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication
Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians
Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown
Sources
- Microsorum pteropus — Tropica · Tropica · 2026-05-22