Java fern

[Jer-]

Hi

I am in need of java fern and i have already spotted some in the aquarium store. BUT the fern looks differnt from the ordinary java fern yet the leaves look the same... its jus a lot taller, the stems are longer and look slimmer.

I saw other ones in the plant tank that seem a lot smaller but am skeptical as to whether they are the real Java fern or another Fern

What kind of ferns are commonly available?? I would ask the staff at the store only they do not speak english.

please help

thanks

 

[jimbooo]

looking at the number of people viewing this as i write i hope i'm not about to fall flat on my face.....

i THINK the reason is the ones you are looking at in the shop have been grown under metal halide lamps hence the leaves get huge, just like when you bring a sword home and it sticks out of the tank, after a bit of pruning the new leaves (from post planting) are a lot smaller due to the reduced light in the tank.

i bought this Java fern a few weeks ago and it's MASSIVE but looks nothing like the example in gf225's tank. i've noticed since planting ALL the big leaves have plantlets growing at the tip. in theory meaning the old leaves are not getting enough light so it's compensating by growing more leaves. after time all that will remain is the smaller leaves giving rise to what looks more like the Java fern you are looking for.

just a theory but heres a pic to illustrate (it's the closest to the glass nearest the front on the bogwood)

the one in the front left of this pic is 2 years old, grown from tiny plantlets in my 40G (sig) - see what i mean, all the leaves are much smaller

i must admit i'm pulling this info out of thin air and definatly needs clarifying (anyone care to step in and shoot me down in flames??)