{"product_id":"bolbitis-heudelotii-african-water-fern-potted","title":"Bolbitis Heudelotii (African Water Fern) - Potted","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E8F5E9;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAfrican Water Fern\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eBolbitis heudelotii\u003c\/em\u003e) is the aquascaper's fern: deep translucent-green fronds with an intricately cut, almost lacework texture that no other aquarium plant matches. In the wild it clings to rocks in flowing West African streams, and in the tank it does the same, growing slowly into a dramatic, dark centerpiece attached to your hardscape. Unbothered by plant-eating fish and completely shrimp safe. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive freshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e to build the scape around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttach, never bury:\u003c\/strong\u003e like anubias, the creeping rhizome rots if buried. Tie or super-glue it to driftwood or rock, or wedge it into a crevice; the wiry roots grip on their own within weeks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGive it flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e this is a river fern. Placing it where the filter output washes over the fronds keeps them clean, fed, and growing at their best.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e low to moderate. Strong light on its slow fronds mostly grows algae.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 68 to 80°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5. It prefers clean, slightly soft water and rewards good filtration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer and CO2:\u003c\/strong\u003e water-column feeder; occasional \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-comprehensive-supplement\"\u003eSeachem Flourish\u003c\/a\u003e helps. CO2 is optional but noticeably speeds up this famously patient plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransition melt:\u003c\/strong\u003e new plants often shed some fronds while adjusting. Leave the rhizome alone; fresh dark-green growth follows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eBolbitis heudelotii\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAfrican Water Fern, Congo Fern, Bolbitis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSold as\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePotted plant, attach to hardscape\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eEasy, patience required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMidground on rock or driftwood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8 to 16 inches over time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLow to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOptional, speeds growth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e68 to 80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSlow, propagate by rhizome division\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003ePlacement \u0026amp; Companions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMount it at mid-height where flow reaches it, ideally framing driftwood so the dark lacework fronds contrast with brighter plants behind. It pairs naturally with fellow epiphyte \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anubias-barteri-potted\"\u003eAnubias Barteri\u003c\/a\u003e for an all-hardscape scape that needs no substrate at all, and a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/batman-nerite-snail-neritina-auriculata-freshwater\"\u003enerite snail\u003c\/a\u003e crew keeps the slow fronds algae-free. Safe with shrimp, bettas, and nearly every community fish; we also carry its compact cousin Mini Bolbitis in store. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-comprehensive-supplement\"\u003eSeachem Flourish\u003c\/a\u003e water-column fertilizer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/batman-nerite-snail-neritina-auriculata-freshwater\"\u003eBatman Nerite Snail\u003c\/a\u003e frond-polishing crew\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is my new fern melting?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBolbitis grown emersed at the nursery swaps its fronds for submerged ones after planting. As long as the rhizome stays firm and green, the plant is fine; new growth appears within a few weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow slow is slow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExpect a new frond every few weeks in low-tech tanks, faster with CO2. The payoff for patience is a plant that lives for many years and never outgrows its spot overnight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I plant it in gravel?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnly with the rhizome sitting fully on top. It genuinely prefers being tied to wood or rock, which is also where it looks best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are the fronds turning black or ragged?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually stagnant placement or dirty water. Move it into the flow path, step up water changes, and trim damaged fronds at the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49051151433947,"sku":null,"price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/bol.png?v=1785485115","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bolbitis-heudelotii-african-water-fern-potted","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}