Where This Plant Come From?

[Shuggieboy]

I have a small 2ft planted tank, been running for about 3 months now. All plants are doing well. I went to feed my fish last night and noticed a few small pies of duckweed (think thats what its called!?) floating around my tank. There isnt much of it all, maybe 15 small pieces floating around, the mystery is, i dont know where it came from? I havent bought fish in about 2 months so none could have went into the tank with water from the bag the fish came in. Am i right in saying that this stuff should multiply given time? Im not bothered that it is there, its a bonus really but it was just doing my head in cause i didnt know where it had came from.

 

[Themuleous]

It'll quickly take over the surface of the tank and will remove lots of nutrients from the tank at the same time. This will probably be to the detriment of you're other plants.

 

[lljdma06]

It'll quickly take over the surface of the tank and will remove lots of nutrients from the tank at the same time. This will probably be to the detriment of you're other plants.

Watch it, it's most likely Duckweed, and it can do as Themuleous says. I've had 10 plants turn into hundreds in a matter of days! That being said, however, I find that it can be useful in limited quantities. It is great at absorbing nutrients and ammonia, therefore it is excellent to have in Betta bowls and tanks without filtration. I also consider it one of the combining factors in the elimination of BGA from my tank. It's presence, along with raised Nitrogen levels and the presence of other stem plants, helped rid the tank of that pest very quickly. In addition, it is also an excellent refuge for fry and a good anchor for anabantoid nests as well as provide shade for plants that do not tolerate high light levels.

So duckweed is a mixed bag. If you've got it, get used to it, because it's hard to get rid of. If one plant remains, it will reproduce. I've managed to live with it and find uses for it. I thin it out and put it in my betta bowls every week.