Imagine a plant that does not take root in the ground but travels freely on the surface of the water. This is Salvinia natans, a small but very impressive fern native to tropical water bodies. In nature, it often behaves like a weed, rapidly covering the surface of ponds and canals with a dense green carpet.
However, aquarists saw enormous potential in this “weed.” Its small leaves, resembling velvet coins, create beautiful floating islands. These thickets not only decorate the aquarium, but also bring real benefits: they serve as a shelter for fry and shrimp, as well as a natural light filter for plants that do not like bright light.
Salvinia is surprisingly undemanding and grows in almost any conditions, making it an excellent choice even for beginners. It transforms an ordinary aquarium into a living, dynamic landscape, adding volume and natural charm. Let's find out how this tropical wanderer can transform your underwater world.
Distribution
The fern grows in warm climates around the world in ponds, lakes, or streams. It can be found in Asia, Africa, and Europe.
It mainly inhabits reservoirs with slow or no current. It can be found primarily in old river beds.
Floating salvinia is a small aquatic plant that is often considered a weed in the wild because of its rapid reproduction. But in aquariums, it is valued for its appearance and beneficial properties: it creates cozy shade, improves water quality, and serves as a shelter for small fish and fry. Despite its simplicity, it adds a lively, almost wild look to the aquarium, which is especially appealing to lovers of natural design.
Growing and care
Floating salvinia and its varieties are not often used in aquariums, unlike other types of aquatic plants. However, aquascaping enthusiasts can plant them to create an aquarium design that is as close as possible to natural habitats.
Some plants require diffused light, which can be achieved with the help of floating salvinia.
It is advisable to grow Salvinia natans in open aquariums. In closed containers, water condenses on the lids and then drips onto the leaves above the water. This has a negative effect on the condition of the plant.
Water parameters for ideal conditions
Heat-loving Salvinia is best grown in tropical or simply warm aquariums with a stable ecosystem. For the plant to feel comfortable, the water in the aquarium must meet the following conditions:
- water temperature — acceptable range 16-30, recommended range 24-28ºC;
- acid-alkaline balance — acceptable reaction level 5-8, optimal 6-7.5.
Every week, 25% of the total volume of water in the aquarium must be replaced.
When changing the water, it is not recommended to use osmosis or distilled water. A new portion of water provides a number of substances necessary for salvinia.
Floating Salvinia can tolerate low temperatures, but this can slow down growth and eventually kill the plant.
Lighting requirements
Bright lighting is important for salvinia, but it is also important to prevent the leaves from drying out. When using incandescent and metal halide lamps, there is a risk of burning the leaf plates. To create sufficient light flow, it is recommended to install:
- lED lamps with a power of at least 0.5 W/l;
- fluorescent lamps with a power of at least 1 W/l.
To keep the plant healthy, it needs up to 12 hours of daylight.
Soil and nutrient substrate requirements
Since the plant is always located on the surface of the water, there is no need to select a special nutrient substrate for it.
The most that may be required is to check that the substrate does not cause significant fluctuations in acidity and other water parameters. In particular, Salvinia natans will not be comfortable in an aquarium with limestone or gravel substrate.
Fertilizer requirements
Floating salvinia does not have a root system, so the plant obtains nutrients through its leaves. The main nutrients for Salvinia natans are:
Salvinia floating practically does not require fertilizers if it is in an aquarium with fish. Basically, fertilizers need to be added to Dutch aquariums, where microelements, iron, and macroelements are needed.
The following liquid fertilizers can be used:
- JBL Ferropol to obtain iron;
- Tetra PlantaMin — liquid fertilizer, which serves as a source of micronutrients and maintains the bright green color of aquarium plants;
- Tetra PlantaPro Macro with a high content of nitrates, phosphates, and potassium.
Reproduction
In aquarium conditions, floating salvinia reproduces by means of lateral shoots. Once new plants have formed on the shoots, they can be separated from the mother plant. The main condition is the presence of two above-water and one underwater leaves.
The growth of Salvinia should be controlled, otherwise it will quickly cover the entire surface of the water in the aquarium and block light from reaching neighboring plants.
In nature, Salvinia natans can also reproduce using spores. The plant sheds spore balls when the cold weather sets in and the leaves begin to die off due to low temperatures. When spring arrives, the spores from the balls begin to form a new plant.
Variations and forms of the plant
There are several types of salvinia that are similar in appearance to the floating variety. They are more heat-loving, although they have similar requirements for living conditions.
- Salvinia auriculata. This salvinia is also called ear-shaped. It mainly grows in tropical and subtropical waters of North and South America. The stem reaches a height of 12 cm, and the leaf plate grows up to 4 cm in length. The leaves of the ear-shaped salvinia are distinguished by their curved edges.
- Salvinia cucullata. The main difference between this plant is the cone-shaped leaves. It is mainly distributed in Southeast Asia.
- Salvinia sprucei. This salvinia has light green oval-shaped leaves. The leaf blade resembles a small boat in appearance.
- Salvinia oblongifolia. A plant with oblong wavy leaves, growing mainly in Latin America. The average stem height is 10 cm, the leaves reach 6 cm in length and have an elongated shape.
- Salvinia nymphellula. Small-leaved salvinia with small leaves up to 0.5 cm long. The plant is distinguished by its light green color and bumpy leaf plate surface.
- Salvinia reusii. Similar in appearance to Salvinia oblongifolia. However, this light green plant has smaller oval-shaped leaf plates.
- Salvinia adnata. It is also called giant because of the size of its leaves. It originally grew only in Brazil, but was artificially spread to tropical and subtropical water bodies around the globe. It is a weed that hinders navigation and destroys local plants and animals. The leaves are partially submerged in water.
- Salvinia minima. It grows on islands in the Caribbean Sea, in Latin America, and in the United States, where it was introduced in the 1920s.
Salvinia natans is an excellent example of how a plant from the category of dangerous weeds can find a second life in the skilled hands of an aquarist. In nature, its ability to reproduce rapidly often causes problems, but in a closed aquarium, this disadvantage becomes an advantage.
For aquarium designers, Salvinia is a living, breathing element. It creates beautiful shaded corners for fish that like dim light and serves as a safe haven for fry. Its fluffy carpet on the water's surface looks very natural and lively.
Of course, in order for Salvinia to be a decoration and not a headache, it needs simple but regular monitoring. Periodic thinning of the thickets will help maintain the ideal balance in the aquarium. With this approach, this tropical guest will become a beautiful and functional element of your underwater world.
