This can come from prolonged shading (often due to floaters) or having algae-covered leaves which deprive them of light. If you observe very few or no new leaves, you may be giving too little light.Īs slow growers with tough leaves, Java Fern and Anubias often deteriorate ‘inside’ without showing decay. However, in a tank with floaters (read our previous article here), or taller plants / hardscape, it is easy to go below the minimum threshold without knowing it. As shade plants, Java Fern and Anubias can survive with very low light. Without enough water movement, detritus accumulates on the leaves. These filters clog more easily by design, and many do not provide sufficient flow. Many tanks use overhang or 'hang-on-back' filters. This feeds algae and often turn into an unsightly brown / black layer. With an under-sized filter and infrequent housekeeping, detritus accumulates on their leaves. As slow growers, Java Fern and Anubias are more vulnerable to algae than faster growing plants. These two species are also prone to displaying ‘sudden death’…where a plant that seems OK might suddenly turn yellow, transparent or even ‘melt’ away.Ībove: a common occurrence on the leaves of Anubias (courtesy of Tiffany P.) As slow growers, both Java Fern and Anubias are especially vulnerable to the following: When overlooked, it is easy to get leaves that covered with brown algae and/or blackened edges. However, their external toughness belies several weaknesses. Their tougher leaves make them less vulnerable to herbivore damage, and less susceptible to handling damage during transport and planting. They don’t need CO2 or substrate to grow well. They can thrive in both softwater and hardwater, and can take anything from high to very low amounts of light. Java Fern (microsorum pteropus) and Anubias barteri ‘nana’ are among the hobby’s most hardy plants. Above: Java Fern 'melt' ( courtesy of Tiffany P.)

Java fern browning