Fast Growing Plant

Thazar

Howdy All,

New to the aquarium game for the last few months. I am running a 72 bowfront with some mopani wood, eco-complete substrate and a variety of live plants. (plus some community based fish.) I have this growing off a couple of my plants and I think it is something that tagged along from the store. It looks the same but is comming from a couple of different plants. Any idea what it is and should I trim it back or leave it? Thanks in advance.

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marshallsea

im no plant expert, but that might be Duckweed.? ive read Duckweed grows fast and will take over if you dont keep it in check. yours appears to be doing that. it sorta looks like a young Duckweed. if it is you might want to get it out before its too late, or so ive read. but i may be wrong. on the plus side, it would be good for your tanks water. especially if your tank has been running for less than two or three months. just keep it in check.

Thazar

Thank you Marshallsea. I do have a couple of duck week floating up at the top of the tank that hitched a ride with something I put in the tank. But this stuff is growing off of the rocks and plants about 10 inches under water. Does Duckweed do that?

I have some Swords, Anubias, Ludwigia, Wisteria, Java Moss/fern, and and what I think is Pennywort. Plus as I said a half dozen Duckweed floating that I did not buy but now have in the tank as a stow away that I missed. Fish for now are some assorted Danios, a longfin pleco, and a few red crystal shrimp.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback and I will make sure the stuff is kept in check. It is growing way faster then anything else in the tank. Like and inch or more a day. The other plants are doing well... putting out runners and new leaves.

Byron

I have the same, mine tends to appear among floating plants. I believe it is an algae, probably hair or thread--I've seen both names for the same algae. Below is a photo from George Booth for hair algae (he says thread is basically identical).

I rather like this, it acts much like Java Moss in providing an ideal feeding ground for small fish. My pencilfish periodically spawn in it. It is very easy to remove, it will spin around a toothbrush and even your finger.

Byron.

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Thazar

Thanks all. The search for Strand Algea led me to a couple of other sites.

This could be bladderwort or Utricularia gibba (Link to more info)

Now I am off to pick up some yoyo loaches for the tank this week!

cwmorrow

Is it Utricularia gibba?

Byron

Could be, mine looks something like that.

Thazar

That is exactly what it is. And thanks for the link to the other post. I have been working to get it out of the tank, but it is a monster that just keeps showing up in another part of the tank. The idea of turning off the filter and using the vac to get any small parts is a good idea.

Thanks again everyone!

cwmorrow

It is an aquatic carnivorous plant. Said to catch tiny fry, I've only seen it grab onto mosquito larvae.
It has attractive tiny flowers, but blooms only in wading pools filled with leaves and frog pee.