Eublepharis morphs Black Night are carnivorous predators, and in natural conditions, the main food source for geckos is various insects. Therefore, at home, you can feed the animal crickets, cockroaches, grasshoppers, and mealworms. Before feeding the eublepharid, dip the insects in special vitamin supplements for reptiles, which are sold in pet stores.
Up to six months old, lizards feed once every two days, consuming three crickets per day.
Animals older than one year eat 2-3 times a week, consuming 3-5 large crickets depending on their appetite. At the bottom of rivers, lakes, and even some streams lives an amazing family of fish that often goes unnoticed due to its secretive nature. We are talking about loaches, also often called gobies. This is not one specific fish, but a whole group of small bottom dwellers united by their love of quiet, silted places. Up to one year old, pets should be fed 2-3 times a week, 3-5 medium-sized crickets per feeding.
Up to 30 days old, it is sufficient to feed them one cricket twice a day.
Up to three months old, they consume two crickets per day.
Geckos need an appropriate diet at every age: Since lizards are nocturnal animals, they do not need additional light. To prevent rickets, you can use a UV lamp, but do not overdo it. Geckos cannot tolerate bright light, and for some, such as Black Night, it can even be dangerous due to their dark color, which attracts light rays.
Although Limnophila aromatica is a popular aquarium plant, the people of Vietnam use it for gastronomic purposes. It is used as a seasoning or as a base for tea drinks. Limnophila aromatica is also used in dishes common in Cambodia and Thailand. In Asian countries, it is often called rice grass.
Growing and care
Aquascaping enthusiasts note that Limnophila aromatica is a rather capricious plant that requires careful attention.
On the other hand, it is believed that even a beginner can cope with its maintenance if they make some effort.
It is best suited for cultivation in medium and large aquariums. At the same time, it is highly desirable to systematically prune the bushes to give them volume and lushness.
If the stems of limnophila are cut, new shoots form nearby.
This allows you to achieve a more decorative look for the plant when designing a Dutch aquarium or using it in aquascaping. However, you need to make sure that the stems do not shade each other, otherwise the limnophila will begin to wither.
The plant does not tolerate pruning well. For some time after cutting the stems, they will not grow back.
Since Limnophila aromatica is quite large compared to many aquarium plants, it is recommended to plant it in the background of the aquarium. For example, a new plant can be secured in the corners or against the wall. It is advisable to root groups of 3 cuttings and immediately provide the necessary conditions for keeping them.
Water parameters for ideal maintenance
Since Limnophila is found in warm climates in nature, it is best kept in tropical aquariums.
First of all, you should monitor the water temperature, since the other indicators do not have such a strong influence on the development of the plant.
Limnophila can grow in both hard and soft water, with the latter being preferable.
In general, for good growth of Limnophila aromatica, the following water parameters must be maintained:
- temperature — 22-28ºC
- total hardness dH — 4-14º;
- carbonate hardness kH — 2-7º;
- acid-alkaline balance — 5.5-7.
Limnophila aromatica needs clean water. It is necessary to replace a quarter of the volume of liquid in the aquarium every week. You will also need to install a powerful filter.
Lighting requirements
A large amount of light is one of the keys to an attractive and healthy appearance of Limnophila aromatica. The length of daylight hours is important for it. It is desirable that it lasts from 10 to 13 hours. The minimum recommended light intensity is 70 Lm/l. This can be achieved with lamps with a power of 0.8 W/l, the optimal value being 1 W/l.
Lamps that generate a large amount of red and blue spectrum rays should not be installed above an aquarium with Limnophila aromatica. It is best to use special aquarium lights or purchase broad-spectrum fluorescent lamps.
A lack of light can be determined by the appearance of Limnophila aromatica. In this case, it begins to stretch closer to the light source. Its leaves take on a greenish tint and fade. With abundant light, red pigment predominates in the color of the bushes, and the leaf plates become smooth and shiny.
Substrate requirements, nutrient substrate
For Limnophila aromatica, a substrate with fine and medium-sized granules is suitable.
It is best if it is comparable in size to small pebbles or sand. It is not advisable to use coarse substrates.
When cleaning the aquarium, you can damage the delicate root system of the plant. This can cause the roots to rot.
As a result, Limnophila aromatica can detach from the soil and float to the surface of the water.
- ADA Aqua Soil Malaya nutrient-rich soil can be used in an aquarium with this plant. Its structure and composition make it well suited for plants native to Southeast Asia. Of the entire line of aqua soils, it is the least nutritious. Therefore, it will not provide excessive nutrition for Limnophila, which is accustomed to taking the necessary substances from the silt.
- Another option is a nutrient-rich substrate under a layer of “empty” pebbles. For example, Dennerle NutriBasis or Aquayer. The lower “rich” layer will ensure a gradual release of nutrients into the water over a long period of time.
Fertilizer requirements
In order for Limnophila aromatica to grow well, it is necessary to supply it with macro- and microelements. If there is a lack of nutrients, the lower leaves will die first. Over time, most of the stem will become bare, with only the top remaining lush.
Limnophila aromatica has a very delicate root system. It is not recommended to use tableted fertilizers to feed it due to the risk of damaging the roots when applying the fertilizer. The plant will obtain some of its nutrients from the soil. It is better to add additional substances to the water in liquid form.
First and foremost, limnophiles require:
The plant obtains some of the necessary macro- and microelements from the silt. Additional substances can be added using professional fertilizers:
- Tetra Plant Florapride Red. This liquid fertilizer must be added after each water change in the aquarium. It does not contain macroelements, but it is rich in potassium, manganese, and iron. This fertilizer is used to feed red plants, as indicated by the manufacturer in the name of the liquid.
- JBL Ferropol. A fertilizer rich in trace elements with a high content of manganese, potassium, iron compounds, and sulfur. It is used when starting an aquarium for the first time. It can also be added to the aquarium during water changes every 14 days.
The presence of carbon dioxide in the aquarium is also important for limnophiles throughout their entire existence.
Some aquarists recommend using mash as a source of carbon dioxide. On average, the CO2 concentration should be maintained at 25-30 mg/l.
Reproduction
Limnophila aromatica propagates mainly by cuttings. However, if favorable conditions are maintained in the aquarium, it begins to bloom and can produce seeds.
In addition to propagation by cuttings, Limnophila aromatica produces new shoots on root offshoots. New roots grow horizontally in the soil. Over time, daughter plants form on them.
The owner of Limnophila aromatica needs to monitor the condition of the plant to prevent it from becoming too dense, which occurs naturally.
When propagating by cuttings, it is sufficient to separate the side shoots or the top of the stem. Cut cuttings 15-20 cm long are planted in new places or in other aquariums at some distance from each other. This is necessary so that the young shoots receive enough light and grow well.
When planting, the lower part of the cutting is buried in the soil. Within a week, it forms its own root system, and the daughter plant begins to take root in its new location.
Limnophila aromatica is not only a beautiful aquatic plant with delicate leaves that perfectly enlivens an aquarium, but also a real exotic spice from Southeast Asia. In Thailand and Vietnam, it is added to soups and salads because it smells like lemon and spices. It grows quickly in an aquarium, does not require complex care, and creates a cozy environment for fish. So, by growing it at home, you get both a decoration for the underwater world and the opportunity to try something new in the kitchen — two in one, and quite unusual for our latitudes.
Variations and forms of the plant
Limnophila aromatica is a variety of limnophila and has no variations. Other well-known subspecies of limnophila include:
- Royal or water limnophila. The plant is native to India and Sri Lanka. It is distinguished by its long, large stem with many thin leaves. In nature, it is considered a weed, as it is often found in rice fields. It has a weak root system, like aromatica.
- Limnophila Vietnam. A small ground cover plant. The green leaves have serrated edges. Red speckles can be found on the surface of the leaf plate. For good growth, soil with a high nutrient content is required.
- Indica. Its main habitat is the coast of the Indian Ocean. It is found in Australia, India, Africa, and Asia. It is one of the most attractive varieties of limnophila. It is distinguished by its thin, long, feathery leaves, which form lush bushes. The color of the plant depends on the lighting. With a lot of light, it has a red tint, with average light, it is green.
As you can see, Limnophila aromatica is much more than just a green stem in water. It is a truly exotic decoration that can become the highlight of any aquarium. Its unusual appearance with dense needle-like leaves creates stunning volume and depth, reminiscent of either a coniferous forest or lace.
A nice bonus is that this plant is not only beautiful but also useful. It actively participates in the life of your underwater world, helping to maintain balance and creating cozy shelters for small inhabitants. And its unpretentiousness makes it an excellent choice even for those who are just starting their journey in aquarium keeping.
So if you are looking for a way to add a touch of Asian exoticism and freshness to your aquarium, you should definitely take a look at limnophila. This is a case where the seasoning becomes a full-fledged and very impressive main course of your underwater landscape.
