Losing Java Fern

[PNWAquatics]

Hi everyone!

I had a java fern windelov that at one point exploded into a ton of plantlets. Up until this point, the small java fern have done very well but now are dying at mass rates (all around a year old now). I have additional plants in the tank that are doing relatively well including anubias, a crypt of some sort, a java fern, and a narrow leaf java fern that is not having the same problem. Any idea what it may be? The leaves are turning mushy and transparent. I'm guessing it is a nutrient deficiency because I have very soft water. I tested nitrate and phosphate and they seem to be in the idea range. (10 for nitrate and .5 for phosphate). It is a fairly heavily planted tank, but all are easy to grow plants.

I'm also having a bit of a black beard algae problem on the anubias, if that helps. Stocking is a pair of kribs and 6 glofish tetra in a 29 gallon tank. My fertilization schedule is non-existent at this point but I'm happy to start dosing flourish comprehensive if that will help. I have the light on for 7 hours and it is an AI prime at half power.

 

[Mudminnow]

Considering all your other plants are fine, I don't know why your one fern died. It probably wasn't its explosion into little plantlets that killed it. Rather it exploded into little plantlets, because it was dying. A lot of plants do that. One last push to propagate right before the end.

 

[PNWAquatics]

Sorry for the confusion, I'm not sure what happened to the original plant. It is the plantlets are currently dying. I've pulled out about 15 because they are melting and am going to move it to a tub with new water to see if I can revive them. I'm hoping to save the ones I have left.

I've seen individual leaves turn brown and sometimes sprout plantlets on the my other java fern. These are rapidly turning transparent and mushy without propagating.

It's definitely something about this tank. I've used these ferns in my Betta's tank and they are currently thriving.

 

[Mandarabe]

What kind of substrate are you using? Did you have all the plants from t he beginning?
I am just wondering if the substrate under the dying plants have run out of nutrients, while the newer plants are either on unused substrate, or are out-competing the smaller plants for light or nutrients. I would try adding a small amount of fertiliser directly over/under the dying plants and make sure they have a good supply of light (not overshadowed by the bigger/higher plants)

 

[PNWAquatics]

I just have standard aquarium gravel. I've had most of the plants for a few years now. I did add the crypt and amazon sword about a month ago so I suppose they could be taking the resources the java fern had been using. I will try adding fertilizer as recommended.

 

[Flyfisha]

Java fern is grown out of the substrate on wood rocks or ornaments. Like Anubis the longer roots not the rhizome can eventually find their way into the substrate.But at least for the first year or so no roots actually need to be in substrate.
Putting a rhizome ( that long horizontal root) in substrate or any roots in substrate will kill the plant.

 

[PNWAquatics]

It isn’t planted. It sits on top of the gravel. It eventually anchors itself.

 

[PNWAquatics]

I’m still not sure what is going on. I ended up throwing out all the windelov and it now seems to be effecting the narrow leaf variety. I added some of the browning stuff to a plant only bowl I had to try to and revive it, but now all the Java fern in that bowl is dying as well. Is there a Java fern specific disease? Like a virus or bacteria? So strange.

Oh well. I guess I’ll just have to start over.