Kalimantan Fern (rare, unidentified aquatic fern)
Kalimantan Fern (No scientific name determined)
A yet-unidentified aquatic fern cultured from a sample collected in the fresh waters of Kalimantan, Indonesia. This plant does not seem to be well known to the aquarium hobby. We believe that this plant is a true aquatic, having been submerged and growing in our aquariums for over a year without showing signs of stress, rot or melt. It is quite slow growing and has been doing well in low tech as well as high tech tanks. It appears to be similar in some ways to the rare and mysterious "Dark Spleenwort Fern" (Hymenasplenium obscurum) though it was found outside that species usual range of Africa and South Asia. Recommended for adventurous aquarists looking for something completely different.
QUICK NOTES:
Difficulty: Medium
Type: Rhizomatous
Size: Unknown, likely less than 10cm in height
Position and Usage: Foreground to midground
Growth rate: Slow
Lighting: 2/5 - 4/5
Water Conditions: 20 - 28° C
CO2: Not required
Propagation: Splitting the rhizome; separating plantlets
Description
Kalimantan Fern is an unidentified aquatic fern that was cultured from a small sample aquired from Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo. It bears a bit of a resemblance to the African Water Fern (Bolbitis heudelotii) but was found well outside its natural range, closer to the endemic range of Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus) and, based on the size of the mother plant sample that we initially obtained, is much smaller.
In our experience, this plant is quite slow growing and as of yet, we have not established the ideal water parameters. It does appear to be very hard to kill, surviving in even very dimly lit tanks indefinitely and appears to pearl happily in well lit, CO2 injected, high tech set-ups.
We encourage our more adventurous customers to try this unusual plant out and let us know how it goes!
