Any aquarium with beautiful and exotic fish implies the presence of plants in it. They create a shadow and are an additional food supplement for the inhabitants of an artificial reservoir. One of the most popular aquarium "flowers" is duckweed. It not only acts as a decorative decoration, but also brings many benefits.
Features
Duckweed belongs to the genus of flowering monocotyledonous plants of the aroid family. In nature, it is found on the surface of the water surface of deep lakes and swamps. The growth of duckweed is very rapid, and it literally in a matter of days covers the surface of the water with a dense green "blanket". This picture is simply amazing. She is able to give a special charm to any open area.
The external characteristics of the plant are as follows: small leaves that form the original weave, and the root system reaches up to 10 mm in length. Concerning the plant has good resistance. Flowering period starts in May and ends in late October.
Varieties
Aquarium duckweed is divided into several types.
Small
The most common variety that is relevant for a miniature aquarium. Small duckweed leaves grow to a length of 3-4 mm. They have an elegant oval shape and a light green tint that can turn yellow over time.
Multi-root
It can be described as a “shrub” with bundles of roots extending from each leaf. This species is known for its amazing color: the top of the leaves is green, and from below they have a rich lilac tone.
Humpbacked
The species is known for its rapid growth. Has round convex glossy leaflets.
Tripartite
The plant spends most of the time at the bottom, rising to the surface only during the flowering period. Unlike other species three-lobed duckweed has large dense leaves (1-1.5 cm).
Note that this floating flower is used not only for decorative purposes, but also for the treatment of various diseases. For example, decoctions and infusions based on duckweed help people suffering from respiratory diseases.
Advantages and disadvantages
Many aquarists, when choosing plants for an artificial pond, pre-search for this or that information. Duckweed is known for a fair number of benefits.
- The plant is unpretentious. The floating flower perfectly lives in "difficult" conditions and "close" reservoirs.
- In an aquarium, it saturates water with oxygen. This factor is one of the main for the life of fish.
- The floating flower creates a shadow and serves as a shelter for the inhabitants of an artificial reservoir. In the duckweed leaves, many species of inhabitants of the depths build nests.
- It acts as a filter, purifying water from nitrates and contaminants.
- It is an excellent dietary supplement for fish. Duckweed contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals.
Experts recommend planting this plant in aquariums for South American and African cichlids.
In addition, it is useful for viviparous fish and some labyrinth. Many inhabitants of the depths need a floating flower as a building material: fish build nests and create shelter for fry.
Note that This plant also feeds on lizards, newts, frogs and ducklings.
Content and breeding
The floating flower is quite unpretentious. Its growth requires a minimum amount of lighting. Moreover, it can be artificial or natural. Also duckweed does not need additional top dressing. Also for growing plants Neither filtration nor aeration is required. It is enough to maintain water temperature in the range of 15-30 degrees.
The best option for the growth of duckweed are considered parameters from 20 to 23 degrees. By the way, some aquarists plant an amazing floating flower in a separate container, using it as a dietary supplement for fish.
An important nuance: duckweed is quite susceptible to chlorinated water. With a minimum substance content, plant growth stops, and in large quantities chlorine can destroy it.
The floating flower is capable of rapid reproduction with the help of daughter processes that are located on the tips of the leaves: they separate and turn into an independent plant. It can be described as an "island" floating on the surface of the water surface.
It is important to know that duckweed easily fill the entire surface of an artificial reservoir in a short period of time.
Note that a floating flower may appear in an aquarium without the knowledge of the aquarist. The fact is that the plant enters an artificial pond with fish food. If the owner of the aquarium brings marsh wild duckweed to the house, then plant needs two-week quarantine. This will help rid the fish of infections by pathogenic bacteria and infections.
With abundant growth of swamp duckweed in the aquarium, the risk of harming its inhabitants increases. Under the dense green “veil” other plants will die, and the fish will begin to lack light. Such a situation will lead to a deterioration in their well-being and death.
Duckweed growth control
The excess of a floating flower is neatly cut and caught from the water using a net.
Experienced experts advise to control the growth of the plant through fishing line.
To do this, a solid "thread" is attached with suction cups, which should be on the same level with water. Thus, a floating flower will not be able to grow outside the designated area.
Great "destroyers" of duckweed are goldfish. They are able to eat all the shoots of the plant.When removing duckweed from the aquarium, it is necessary to place a floating flower in a hotel bowl. Thus, it will be possible to save the life of young fish and shrimp, which often hide in the thickets of duckweed. Also, the leaves can be dried and added to the feed for the inhabitants of the artificial reservoir.
Duckweed is often combined with other aquatic ground plants whose leaves are on the surface of the water. In addition, it goes well with homemade flowers, reminiscent of reeds or irises.
You can find out even more useful and interesting information about the benefits and harms of duckweed from the next video.
