Bolbitis heudelotii 'Mini' Care Guide

Smaller selection of the African water fern with dark glossy fronds, an epiphytic rhizome plant that thrives attached to wood in flowing, soft water.

Overview

Bolbitis heudelotii 'Mini' is a smaller selection of the African water fern, a fern in the family Dryopteridaceae. It produces the same dark green, glossy, pinnate fronds as the species but stays more compact, reaching roughly 20 cm, which suits medium-sized layouts. It is an epiphyte that attaches to rocks or wood via threadlike rootlets from its rhizome.

Taxonomy

• Family: Dryopteridaceae
• Genus: Bolbitis
• Scientific name: Bolbitis heudelotii 'Mini'
• Common name: Mini African Water Fern

Habitat

The parent species is native to subtropical and tropical Africa, from Ethiopia west to Senegal and south to northern South Africa. It grows submerged in rivers and streams where the water is fast-moving over sandy or rocky bottoms, very clean, not very hard and slightly acidic.

Tank requirements

• Light: medium (tolerates a range of light levels; does well in shaded positions)
• CO2: not required, though it benefits from CO2 supplementation
• Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
• pH: 5.5-7.2
• GH: 2-12 °dGH
• Maximum height: about 20 cm
• Placement: secure the rhizome to wood or rock rather than planting it in substrate

Care and growth

This is a slow-growing fern that does best in flowing water with good circulation. It is reported to be intolerant of crowding and accumulated fish waste, so clean, well-circulated water helps it thrive. Like other epiphytic ferns the rhizome should not be buried.

Propagation

Propagation is by division of the rhizome. Cut a healthy section bearing fronds and rootlets and attach it to new hardscape. Because growth is slow, divisions take time to establish into full plants.