Canadian Elodea - properties, maintenance, reproduction

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Canadian elodea is commonly known as "water plague". This name was assigned to the plant due to its ability to reproduce and grow extremely quickly.

Appearance

Elodea in the aquarium looks quite attractive. The plant has thin long stems with bright curly leaves a few centimeters long. Elodea leaves form dense inflorescences in the form of rosettes.

Young shoots are distinguished by the brightest light green pigmentation. Accordingly, the old foliage has a darker color.

As for the length of the stem, in Elodea they reach impressive sizes. Best of all, Canadian Elodea grows in high-volume aquariums. With enough free space and the most favorable conditions, the plant can fill the entire artificial reservoir. You can deal with the problem by replanting old shoots and pruning them.

Containment conditions

Canadian Elodea feels equally comfortable in water at room temperature,as well as in cold aquariums. However, it quickly dies in tropical waters. The recommended temperature for keeping the plant is from 20 to 25oC.

If we talk about the indicators of the rigidity of the aquatic environment, then for the elodea the criterion has absolutely no meaning. This moment becomes significant only when the plant is transplanted from soft water to harder water. At the same time, the stalks of elodea literally lose their dense structure before our eyes, after which they gradually dissolve.

The design of an aquarium for keeping Elodea should provide for the possibility of creating the brightest possible lighting. Fluorescent lamps and conventional incandescent lamps can be used as a light source. When determining a sufficient amount of light, it is recommended to focus on the location of the aquarium and the needs of other plants.

For reproduction and active growth of Elodea Canadian requires natural light. Under natural conditions, during the winter off-season, the plant sinks to the bottom, retaining growth buds. Exposure to direct sunlight brings Elodea back to life and rapid growth.

Properties

Canadian elodea acts as a powerful natural filter of water bodies. Particles of turbidity and pollution, which are formed in the aquarium as a result of the life of its inhabitants, are collected on the leaves of the plant. Therefore, thanks to the cultivation of elodea, you can achieve mirror-like purity of water.

Absorbing contained in the aquarium waternutrients, elodea in significant quantities produces components with bactericidal properties. The presence of this property contributes to the active destruction of blue-green microscopic algae, which pollute and color the water.

Dense, dense thickets of elodea are ideal for spawning small fish, especially for viviparous organisms. Between the plexus of stems and leaves, plants are able to find protection not only for newly born fry, but also for grown fish.

How to propagate Canadian Elodea

Propagation of Canadian elodea occurs by cuttings. The length of the cuttings when planting individual stems of the plant should be about 20 cm. Only in this case, the elodea will be able to adapt almost instantly to a new place and conditions.

When dividing elodea cuttings in solid quantities, it produces poisonous juice. To prevent the death of the inhabitants of the aquarium during the reproduction of the plant by artificial means, it can be transplanted into a separate container. Among other things, elodea juice does not have a very favorable effect on the viability of other aquarium plants.

In closing

Perhaps all of the above will be enough for those who choose the design of the aquarium based on the cultivation of elodea. It is only worth adding that the above recommendations relate to the maintenance of the main species - the Canadian elodea. Other varieties of plants can be found in aquariums that need to create others,specific conditions.