Simon and Schuster's Guide to Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Fishes

Chapter 1 1 DWARF SEDGEAcorus gramineusVar. pusillus and var. variegatusFamilyAraceae.DistributionJapan; the varietyvariegatusis of horticultural origin.DescriptionAcorus gramineusis a shrubby plant, 10-12 in (25-30 cm) in height, with long, narrow, ribbonlike leaves, slightly curved when at maximum length. It is an amphibious marsh plant which, however, can adapt to underwater life in an aquarium. Var.pusillus,with short, rigid leaves 1 1/2-4 in (4-10 cm) high, and var.variegatus,with leaves reaching 16-20 in (40-50 cm) and bearing yellow streaks, are more common than the original form.PropagationThrough division of the tufts or the rhizome (the fleshy underwater stem) by cutting their tips and planting the base of the stem immediately in shallow water, whose depth is then gradually increased.EnvironmentTemperature:59-68F (15-20C), best at 65F (18C).pH:neutral.Water hardness:soft.Illumination:moderate to normal.Soil:No particular requirements; clay or clay with peat.NoteThe dwarf variety ofAcorusis commonly used in small aquaria.2 ALTERNANTHERA SESSILISAlternanthera sessilisFamilyAmaranthaceae.DistributionHumid or sporadically flooded areas of the Old World.DescriptionPerennial plant, always partly immersed in its natural habitat, but well suited to life underwater in the aquarium. Its stalks are very branched and characteristically red, The leaves are stalkless, lanceolate, up to 2 3/8-2 3/4 in (6-7 cm) long and 3/8 in (1 cm) wide. The upper surface is variously colored from dark green to wine red, and the lower side is always bright red.PropagationVery simple, by cutting.EnvironmentTemperature:60-72F (16-22C), possibly somewhat less.pH:near neutrality.Water hardness:medium.Illumination:Normal to intense, even if artificial.Soil:sand and rock, possibly with the addition of fertilizer.3 ANUBIAS LANCEOLATAAnubias lanceolataFamilyAraceae. The genusAnubiascontains six species.DistributionTropical Africa.DescriptionPerennial plant with a fleshy underwater stem over 15 3/4 in (40 cm) high in its natural habitat, seldom higher than 11 3/4 in (30 cm) in an aquarium. The leaves are lanceolate, rather blunt at the tip, 4-4 3/4 in (10-12 cm) long and 1 3/16-2 in (3-5 cm) wide, dark green, with long stalks and leathery blades, concave on the upper side.PropagationVery slow, by division of tufts.EnvironmentTemperature:this species requires hightemperatures,between 68F (20C) and 86F (30C), best at 77F (25C). pH: neutral or, if possible, slightly acid.Water hardness:average to soft.Illumination:low-level. This species grows naturally in rain forests, where light levels are low.Soil:no particular requirements, but preferably sandy.NoteAnubias lanceolatais an excellent plant to use in warm aquaria. Its only drawback lies in its slow rate of growth.4 LACELEAF PLANTAponogeton fenestralisFamilyAponogetonaceae. The name of the genus is derived from two Greek words --apon(water) andgeiton(close to).DistributionMadagascar.DescriptionOblong leaves, 5 7/8-7 7/8 in (15-20 cm) long, characteristically lacking spongy tissue and therefore consisting only of a network of veins.PropagationBy division of offshoots; less commonly by seed.EnvironmentTemperature:60-68F (16-20C) with possible extremes of 57F (14C) and 76F (24C); undisturbed, frequently renewed water,pH:6-8, or neutral.Water hardness:soft to medium.IlluminatiSchuster, Simon R. is the author of 'Simon and Schuster's Guide to Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Fishes' with ISBN 9780671228095 and ISBN 0671228099.