Is this green spot algae, or something else?

Calling all the plant experts - and I know there are many of you here! Some of my Java Fern leaves have dark green tips. Is this normal, or am I seeing green spot algae? It isn't circular, so I'm thinking (hoping) its not GSA. It seems to be on the tips of new growth vs. the more established leaves, but not all new leaves have these different colored tips.

In case it's relevant, I also have an Anubis nana and 4 Amazon Swords in the tank; none have dark green spots, but the swords did have hair algae that I've cleaned up.

Hope the pics help and thank you for your guidance.

 

I am no plant expert, but to me that doesn’t look quite like green spot algae. You will usually be able to see green spot algae on the glass IME. Of course I could be wrong so hopefully someone here with a little more knowledge could chime in.

 

Hi there.
I had this same problem with all my Java Ferns. Unfortunately I didn't find any answers. I also have anubis's. plus some kind of sword. Sorry I don't have the links to articles, posts, or science about this problem, but here's my knowledge and experience.

I don't know what caused this. I thought it was some nutrient deficiency at first, but the descriptions never quite matched up. I dose twice a week so that didn't add up either. I read somewhere that the ferns we're getting too much light. I am highly skeptical of that tho.

Seeing yours made me think of another theory. I bought my plants from Petsmart. Yours look similar to the ones I had. Curious if you got yours from a brand box store?

 

That same thing is happening to my java fern and I’m not what’s wrong either! I use Api leaf zone and my java moss, anubias, and water wisteria are all perfect! My ph is 6.8 and my only stocking is snails! What’s your ph? I got mine from a fish store.

 

My ph is consistently 7. Temp 79. ammonia, nitrate, nitrite all 0

I actually got an infestation of ramshorn snails this summer. I haven't tried to get rid of them - I don't mind. Those are the only animals in the tank at this time. Interesting that u have snails as well? Wonder if it's related, but probably just coincidence.

 

My ph is consistently 7. Temp 79. ammonia, nitrate, nitrite all 0

I actually got an infestation of ramshorn snails this summer. I haven't tried to get rid of them - I don't mind. Those are the only animals in the tank at this time. Interesting that u have snails as well? Wonder if it's related, but probably just coincidence.

Hmm so it seems like all our parameters and stocking are similar. Maybe we’re getting somewhere...

 

My ph is 7.0, nitrite and ammonia each 0, nitrates run 15-20 and I change about 30% of the water weekly. Temp 77.

Yes, I did get the Javas from a big box: Petco. They seem otherwise healthy, lots of new shoots and new leaf growth. I dosed the swords with root tabs but haven’t added any other ferts yet, as I had big issues after first (over) dosing the root tabs.

I don’t have any snails, just 6 danios and 6 panda corys.The tank is a 20H.

I use purified water for my water changes. It’s very inexpensive here and tests well. My carbon hardness runs a bit low... how about yours?

 

My ph is 7.0, nitrite and ammonia each 0, nitrates run 15-20 and I change about 30% of the water weekly. Temp 77.

Yes, I did get the Javas from a big box: Petco. They seem otherwise healthy, lots of new shoots and new leaf growth. I dosed the swords with root tabs but haven’t added any other ferts yet, as I had big issues after first (over) dosing the root tabs.

I don’t have any snails, just 6 danios and 6 panda corys.The tank is a 20H.

I use purified water for my water changes. It’s very inexpensive here and tests well. My carbon hardness runs a bit low... how about yours?

My KH is low. Typically 2-3. It's been stable and I don't use and CO2 or anything like that. GH has been higher and fluctuates between 10-15. (Sidenote- the GH test is the most cumbersome because it's so messy having to add droplets and shake 10-15 times. I question it's accuracy sometimes because the mixture leaks out of the test tube. The API plastic caps and API glass tubes don't always fit perfectly)

I dosed and have root tabs. Seem to be great for other plants other than those ferns from petsmart.

 

Thank you for the reply, Chuelsman. I guess our bottom line is it's not an algae, and seems to be something that isn't harmful, so we'll just keep an eye on it to see what (if anything) happens.