Aquarium plant Vodokras

Aquarium enthusiasts will find the Vodokras plant, also called *Ceratophyllum demersum*, to be an intriguing option. This resilient aquatic plant is well-liked for its distinctive look and low upkeep needs. Vodokras give a lively touch to any tank and give your fish a natural backdrop with their feathery, bright green leaves.

Vodokras’ versatility is one of its best qualities. It is a flexible choice for novice and expert aquarists alike, as it can flourish in a range of water conditions. Vodokras are able to blend in and improve the aquatic environment in aquariums of any size.

Enhancing the quality of water is one of Vodokras’s other benefits. It can help create a healthier environment for your fish by supplying oxygen to the tank and assisting in the absorption of excess nutrients. Furthermore, fish and invertebrates may find a great hiding place within its dense growth, fostering a more natural habitat.

Description of Vodokras

This plant, which can float up to half a meter long, is made up of underwater components like stems and rhizomes and above-water components like leaves and flowers. Its short stems are adorned with tiny white flowers on peduncles that emerge from the leaf petiole’s growth point and rosette-like leaves. The leaves are heart-shaped, with a maximum width of 3 cm and a maximum length of 6 cm. The layer of wax on the leaves’ surface causes them to shimmer in various shades when exposed to bright light. Because it has air-filled cavities, it remains on the water.

Blooms by midsummer most of the time. Small (2 cm in diameter) single flowers that jut slightly above the leaf rosettes, with a yellow core and three white petals, are reminiscent of chamomile flowers. Flowers change color every two to four days and appear to last forever on frogs.

Due to the dioecious nature of the species, fruits are rarely formed; only staminate, or male, flowers form on one plant, while only female flowers form on the other.

Short and slender, the rhizomes resemble dense, fibrous bundles that typically don’t extend to the ground. They are joined to adventitious roots that can be as long as 8 to 10 cm. With the aid of new shoots, vegetative reproduction takes place (tendrils).

As fall approaches, dense, long buds start to form on the surface of the shoots. These buds eventually sink to the bottom and spend the winter in the silt (turions). And they actively grow in the spring, rising to the surface.

The following characteristics of the species are also noteworthy:

• nectar-bearing shoots, which allows them to be pollinated by hymenoptera insects;
• predominance of the vegetative method of reproduction over the seed;
• visual contrast: rich emerald leaves and beautiful white flowers on their background;
• buds are covered with mucus, because of this they easily stick to animals, birds and spread quickly.

The plant’s life cycle is completed in the spring when the buds start to fill with air, float to the top, and develop into young leaves.

Known species

Botanists identify two primary categories:

1. Common (H. morsus-ranae), the distribution area of ​​which is Europe, Asia, a detailed description was given above.
2. Doubtful or otherwise, Asian (H. Dubia), which grows in eastern and southern Asian reservoirs, Japan and Indochina. It differs in slightly smaller sizes of leaf blades (most likely due to climatic characteristics). And otherwise, the species description is no different from the first.

Additionally, a type of plant known as "toadweed" can be found in Belarus’s stagnant waterways.

Features of maintenance and care

Frogfish are commonly used as aquarium plants, serving as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional light filters. It can serve as a substrate for eggs and a haven for fry that have hatched in spawning tanks.

Frogfish cultivated in aquariums are not different from those found in their natural habitat. All it needs is comfortable temperature indicators and lighting (at least 10 hours per day). The activities of the tank’s occupants and their processed biological waste will supply the plant with "nitrogen" nourishment. Excess leaf rosettes are pruned off as it grows. Additional prerequisites that must be met:

It can spread throughout any size tank. Additionally, the water needs to be fresh, clean, and well-filtered. You can feed these plants with special granules if you notice pale leaves and no flowers.

Attempt to trim as necessary and periodically get rid of dried-out and dead parts.

The vivid green leaves and low maintenance requirements of the Vodokras make it an exquisite aquarium plant. It is a fantastic option for both novice and seasoned aquarists due to its versatility. You can improve the aesthetic appeal of your tank and give your fish a healthy habitat by adding Vodokras.

How to plant and achieve growth at home?

Water lily planting materials are available in specialty stores or, if available, can be drawn from a natural reservoir. To stop different microbes and parasites from entering your container, you must first remove any spoiled or damaged parts and disinfect them by submerging them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for one to two hours. After that, all you have to do is lower it to the water’s surface, where the young shoot will typically find a cozy spot for itself. After a while, you’ll notice that horizontal shoots, or "antennae," begin to emerge. These are where the juvenile leaf rosettes are found.

Further reproduction

In a natural setting, the plant enters a state of "hibernation" in the fall, but in an artificial setting, lighting enables it to stay aesthetically pleasing all year round. There are two methods for vegetative propagation: splitting the stems or sprouting mature buds in the spring (which are kept in a good environment since autumn, like in a refrigerator-safe jar with silt).

The most common method used by hobbyists to propagate is from stems and rosettes of leaves (shoots). After being cautiously trimmed once more, the resultant tendrils can be utilized for additional propagation. And when spring (April) arrives, you can split the bush into individual parts and plant each part separately. Their rapid growth can be attributed to both ideal conditions and purified water.

For the best "survival" of the shoots, remember to provide surface lighting parameters of at least 11–12 hours.

Why the water lily does not grow?

This aquatic plant may not grow well if the necessary conditions are not met or if aquarium fish have eaten the roots. Possible causes of inadequate growth include:

Used fertilizers

Aquariums showcase the beauty of the frog, particularly its unique branched root system that sets it apart from other plants. But inadequate lighting and diet have a part in how quickly its previous beauty is disappearing. It is preferable to feed it with specially created complex fertilizers made especially for aquatic plants, either in liquid or granular form, to ensure a prolonged flowering period. They are specifically designed with the security of aquarium occupants in mind.

Treating the plant three times a year with a 1% urea solution is the most popular method of fertilization to preserve its essential activity. Spraying is used to apply treatment.

Positive qualities for aquariums

This kind of plant is unquestionably unique in its beauty. With a frog pond, you can give aquarium occupants a natural-looking shade. Furthermore, its root system forms sturdy, naturally-inspired shelters for the emerging fry.

Frog ponds are thought to protect aquariums from overgrowth and the introduction of unwanted vegetation.

Naturally, it is also an excellent absorber of excess nutrients, other materials, and water waste, just like all reservoir plants.

A fascinating addition to any aquarium is a vodokra. Fish enthusiasts choose it for their unique appearance and low maintenance needs. With its vivid green foliage, this plant can improve the aesthetics of your tank for both novice and experienced aquarists.

Vodokras are relatively easy to maintain. It can adapt to different tank environments because it can thrive in a variety of conditions. Frequent trimming keeps it looking its best and prevents it from encroaching on other aquarium decorations or plants.

Vodokras can help your fish as well, so include them in your setup. Its thick leaves offer hiding places and places to rest, so your aquatic pets may feel less stressed. All things considered, vodokras are a low-maintenance, adaptable plant that can enhance your aquarium’s aesthetic appeal as well as its usefulness.

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