In most cases, duckweed in an aquarium appears randomly. This unpretentious plant, accustomed to any conditions, is used as an additive to the stern, or to create a shadow.
The main types of duckweed
Four types of duckweed are most often grown in the aquarium. The most common species is duckweed. Its elliptical leaves, yellow-green, reach a size of 3-4.5 mm. Duckweed is a multi-rooted - a characteristic feature of this plant is a bundle of roots, which extends from each plant. This plant has the largest leaves, the size of which reaches 6 mm. The lower part of the petals is purple. Duckweed Triadog is one of the species of aquarium plants that are constantly in the water column. On the surface it emerges only during the flowering period. Duckweed hunchback - differs convex, hunched leaves about 5 mm in size. This species grows most rapidly in the aquarium.
Is duckweed useful in the aquarium?
Many novice aquarists wonder if duckweed brings benefit or harm to the aquarium. And most people tend to believe that this plant is absolutely useless. In fact, she has many positive qualities.
- As part of the duckweed, a large number of microelements and special chemical compounds of bromine and iodine salts.
- In addition to the fact that some species of fish feed on duckweed, it saturates the water with oxygen and removes nitrates from it.
- Also, some species of fish can hide among these plants and make nests.
These useful properties will save many people from the question of whether duckweed is needed in the aquarium.
In addition to fish, it can also be used by people. Duckweed, grown in an aquarium, is useful as a homeopathic remedy for lowering the temperature and reducing the sensitivity of the body to re-introduction of allergens.
Harm in the aquarium duckweed can only bring in a single case. In the absence of systematic thinning, it can cover the entire surface of the water in the aquarium, which will reduce the intensity of illumination .
Features of reproduction and cultivation
For reproduction of duckweed, no special conditions are required in the aquarium. Also, any other container can be used. Growing it does not need to filter and aerate water , and create special lighting. The only requirement is to maintain the water temperature within 12 - 30 ° C. The process of reproduction occurs with the help of daughter plants, by forming them on the edges of the leaf plate.
The unpretentiousness in growing and keeping, as well as the possibility of using as feed, makes duckweed one of the most useful and unpretentious plants.