About the species

Bolbitis heudelotii is a fern from West Africa with translucent green, finely divided leaves that grow 15–40 centimetres tall and equally wide. Like all rhizome plants it should be attached to wood or stone rather than planted — a covered rhizome rots. Growth increases noticeably with added CO₂ and is best in soft, slightly acidic water.

Facts

• Latin name: Bolbitis heudelotii
• Plant type: Rhizome plant
• Origin: Africa
• Height: 15–30 cm
• Growth rate: Slow
• Position: Wood and stone

Light requirement

Medium light requirement. Reckon on around 0.5 W per litre or a modern mid-range LED unit. Too little light gives sparse, stretched shoots and pale leaves, while the right amount keeps the plant compact and richly coloured.

CO₂ & nutrition

Added CO₂ is recommended — Tropica reckons 6–14 mg/l as a medium requirement. The plant can be grown without, but then grows more slowly and loses some of its colour. Supplement with liquid fertiliser weekly and keep iron and potassium levels up.

Planting

The rhizome must never go into the substrate — it will rot. Instead tie or glue the plant onto a piece of wood or a stone using fishing line, thread or plant glue, and leave it until the roots have taken hold on their own. It can also simply be wedged into a crevice in the hardscape.

Rinse the wood in aquarium water and put it straight in place. New wood may float for the first few days; wedge it under a stone until it has soaked up enough water.

Care & propagation

It needs almost no maintenance at all. Propagation is simple: divide the rhizome with sharp scissors or a knife so each piece keeps at least three or four leaves. Make sure there is a gentle current past the plant so no debris collects between the leaves.

Position in the aquarium

It grows on hardscape rather than in the substrate, so it can be placed anywhere in the aquarium — on a piece of wood, a stone or a back wall. That makes it as useful in the foreground as high up in the layout.

Difficulty level

🟡 Moderate — wants stable lighting and regular fertilisation to look its best.

Delivery format

Delivered pre-grown on a natural piece of wood. The plant is already attached and established, so you only have to place the wood where you want it — no planting and no tying.

Recommendation

Place it where a clear current passes the leaves, which is where it shows itself at its best. A fine alternative to Java fern when you want an airier, more finely divided fern.