What The ......?

[cpsdad]

Recently i added a couple new plants to my aquarium. honestly have no idea what they are but they had nice, bright green leaves.
After maybe a week or so i noticed what appeared to be a hairy, red coloured kind of 'root' growing from one of the leaves.
Slowly but surely theyve sprouted from everywhere on these plants and have taken over, turning the leaves brown.
 
Anybody have any ideas as to what it is? or why this has happened?
it hasnt skipped to any other plants or surfaces, just taken over the plants they came in on...........
 
Struggling to upload photos to help ID sorry

 

[fluttermoth]

It sounds like you have Java ferns which are producing baby 'plantlets' from their leaves. It's normal for them.

 

[cpsdad]

It sounds like you have Java ferns which are producing baby 'plantlets' from their leaves. It's normal for them.

 
Honestly, that was my first thought when the first couple came. Just kinda concerned me once the leaves started to discolour and were taken over. 
 
So all is well then...?  Will they go green again then.......what next? 
thanks for putting my mind at rest 

 

[fluttermoth]

Those leaves won't, but the plants should grow new leaves soon.
 
It is common for plants to do that sort of thing when new, as it takes them a while to adjust to your tank.

 

[daizeUK]

Are you sure the brown coating isn't diatoms? Java fern can easily get covered in diatoms, it should just wipe off. The diatoms aren't related to the baby plantlets.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Is the java fern planted in the substrate? If its rhyzome is beneath the substrate then it will begin to rot. Java fern does best attached to driftwood, rocks or other ornaments. You can attach it using cotton thread, super glue, zip ties or rubberbands (there are other ways but these are the most common).