Java Fern on Lava Rock (Microsorum pteropus)

Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus) pre-attached to a piece of natural lava rock, ready to set straight into your aquarium. Java Fern is one of the toughest, most forgiving plants in the hobby: it thrives in low light, needs no CO2, and is left alone by most fish, which makes it a great pick for beginners, planted community tanks, cichlids, and goldfish. The porous lava rock anchors the plant and adds extra surface for beneficial bacteria to colonize.

Care Guide

Java Fern is an epiphyte: it grows attached to wood or rock rather than rooted in substrate. Because it is already mounted on lava rock, just set the rock in place or wedge it into your hardscape. Never bury the rhizome (the thick horizontal stem the leaves grow from) or it will rot. It grows slowly under low to moderate light and asks for very little. Mature leaves sprout tiny plantlets along their edges that you can leave in place or detach to start new plants.

Specifications

Compatibility

Java Fern is safe with virtually all community fish, shrimp, and snails. Because its leaves are tough and unpalatable, it is one of the few live plants that holds up in tanks with goldfish, African cichlids, and other known plant-eaters. It also tolerates a wide range of water parameters, so it settles into almost any freshwater setup.

Recommended Supplies

• Pair it with other easy, low-light epiphytes like Anubias, Java Moss, and Bucephalandra.
• Browse all of our Freshwater Aquarium Plants.
• Explore the full Freshwater collection for fish, supplies, and more.

Questions & Answers

Is Java Fern good for beginners?
Yes. It is about as easy as aquarium plants get. It does not need CO2, special substrate, or strong lighting, and it is very hard to kill as long as you avoid burying the rhizome.

Do I need to plant it in the substrate?
No. It is already attached to lava rock, so you simply place the rock where you want it. Burying the rhizome is the one thing to avoid, since it causes the plant to rot.

Will my fish eat it?
Almost never. Java Fern has tough, slightly bitter leaves that even goldfish and cichlids tend to leave alone, which is why it is a go-to plant for those tanks.

Is it safe for shrimp?
Yes. Shrimp love grazing the biofilm on its leaves and on the lava rock, and it gives fry and shrimplets great cover. It is completely shrimp-safe.