Subwassertang, also known as Round Pellia, Monoselenium Tenerum, and Loma fern, is an easy-to-care plant for freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
We consider Subwassertang as one of the best plants you must have for shrimp tanks. Its green blush patches are a favorite hiding place for shrimps and shy fish. It works as a good source of food for shrimps, mostly for baby shrimps. Fry tank keepers should consider keeping this plant too.
If you are thinking of keeping Subwassertang in your aquarium, this guide will guide you through the whole process of planting and maintaining it.
Overview
Subwassertang is a floating aquatic plant for any type of aquarium due to its low lighting requirements. You can easily attach it to almost any aquarium decor. The best thing about it is that it can grow with little to no additional supplements. It can grow fast, and different species can use it as natural coverage or as a place to hide.
The plant can keep your aquarium water rich in oxygen by neutralizing toxins in the water.
Care guide for Subwassertang:
| Care | Easy |
| Temperature | 68° – 86° F (20° – 30° C) |
| pH | 5.5 – 7.5 |
| Lighting | Low to moderate |
| CO2 | Not necessary but recommended |
| Aquarium placement | Any |
We advise you not to make drastic changes to the aquarium environment. Unstable changes can result in the melt and rotting of your aquatic plants, including Subwassertang.
Origin & Habitat
Subwassertang is becoming a trendy aquarium plant. It was first discovered in 2020 by Christel Kasselman, a German botanist. Its origin is unknown, but the best guess is Asia.
The plant name means “freshwater seaweed” in German.
Biologists do not know much about this species, and most people believe the plant is algae or a liverwort. Actually not. Subwassertang is a fern gametophyte. They presume that Subwassertang is a species of Lomariopsis grown in the tropical parts of Asia.
Subwassertang’s natural habitats to grow our trees, rock, and dry rivers It can quickly grow and spread into freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
Appearance
Subwassertang is a bushy green plant and it looks like seaweed. The round green leafy of the plant gives a natural look at your aquarium and fits well with any design.
Shrimps use Subwassertang as a source of food.
The surface area the plant provides is greater than any other moss we have seen, as it grows more like a leaf than typical Java moss.
The plant can take a round shape like the one in the photo or spread throughout your aquarium. It does not have any roots and can float or sink into your aquarium.
Be sure to plant it correctly to avoid a messy aquarium.
Benefits of Subwassertang
Subwassertang is an ideal choice for aquariums, especially shrimp and fry tanks. As the plant grows and spreads, it can provide your species with a natural place to hide, and shrimps can use it as a food source.
Benefits of Subwassertang :
- Good food source for shrimps.
- A hiding place for shrimps, fry, and shy fish.
- Keeps your aquarium water rich in oxygen.
- Reduce the stress on shrimps by providing more places to hide.
As an aquatic plant, Subwassertang has the benefit of oxygenating the water. By performing photosynthesis, it consumes the carbon dioxide produced from the fish and releases oxygen into the water column.
Shrimps use Subwassertang as a hiding place. It reduces their stress level.
You can use airstones and pumps for that, but having a natural source of CO2 in your aquarium is very beneficial for your fish. It can be used for decor too.
How to Plant It?
Subwasswertang is simple to plant as it has no roots. You can place it directly to the substrate to create a layer at the bottom of the aquarium or tie it to rocks or driftwood.
Subwassertang can grow into a nice round shape if it is planted properly.
If you want to have it in a round shape, you must tie it to a rock and keep it a few inches away from the aquarium glass. You can use Porous rocks and wait for the plant to grow bigger, and then you re-tie it to form a ball. You may need to trim it if you need a perfect ball. We explain this process step-by-step in the propagation sector.
Subwasswertang can even grow along the aquarium walls. If you are looking for a floating plant, we don’t suggest it, as this plant tends to sink to the aquarium’s bottom.
Subwassertang Tank Requirements, Care and Maintenance
Although Subwassertang is an easy-to-care plant with almost no additional equipment needed, there are few elements you need to consider to make it thrive.
Tank Size
Subwassertang grows like a leaf, and due to the space it may take, we suggest keeping it on tanks with no less than 10 gallons of water. The plant can grow well even on nano aquariums, but you have to trim it frequently.
Water Parameters
Subwassertang is suitable for almost any type of aquarium and water temperature. It prefers mostly colder water, and we suggest it to keep in a temperature between 68° – 86° F (20° – 30° C).
You don’t need to use a pH testing kit for this plant, but if you have one, try to keep it between 5.5 – 7.5, as these plants like.
We noticed that Subwasstertang does not like liquid carbon, and the use of products like Scape Liquid Carbon or Seachem Excel are not recommended.
Be careful with the replacement process, as this plant doesn’t like drastic changes on the tank. As with any other aquatic plant, unstable parameters can lead to plant rotting.
Cleaning Subwassertang from your tank is easy. As a free-floating plant, you can entirely remove it from your tank, and it leaves no wase behind. You can trim it just if it grows bigger than you expected.
Lighting
What makes Subwassertang easy to care its low lighting requirements. You can grow this aquatic plant in low – medium lighting conditions. You can keep the plant even in a high-lighting environment, but it will bring about faster and different growth.
Propagation Tips
The propagation of Subwassertang is by splitting. Simply cut the plant into small pieces, tie it to a rock or attach it to the substrate and let it grow. Carefully clean and disinfect it before placing it into your aquarium. This can prevent you from unwanted pests.
In case you are looking to have that beautiful round shape of Subwassertang, follow our step-by-step process.
- First, you have to make ready all the tools. Get a piece of the plant, a thread, and wood or rock, and you are ready to go. We suggest using wood as the plant can get nutrition from it.
- It is good to disinfect the wood to prevent unwanted pests.
- Tie your thread around the wood a few times. Try to use green thread colors and avoid bright colors as those can distract you while seeing the result.
are ready to go. We suggest using wood as the plant can get nutrition from it.
- Spread your Subwassertang over one side of the wood. It doesn’t have to be perfect as the Subwassertang grows as a hedge or brush.
- Use your thread to tie the plant and wood together. Try to cover every part of the plant because in a few days, it will grow, and you won’t be able to see the thread.
- Try to tie your thread as much as you can so it won’t be floating into the aquarium.
- Put it into your tank and let the shrimps have fun, as they love new things.
- After a few weeks, it will grow into a nice round shape.
Ideal Tank Mates
Subwassertang is a must-have for shrimp tanks. It reduces the stress levels on shrimps as they use it as a spot to hide. They use it as a food source too.
Ideal Tank Mates for Subwassertang:
- Shrimps – All types of shrimps. A few examples are Bamboo Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, Bee Shrimp, Amano Shrimp, Crystal Shrimp, Red Rili Shrimp, Blue Bolt Shrimp, etc.
- Shy and peaceful fish – As a leafy plant, Subwassertang is a great spot for your shy fish to hide. Aggressive fish may try to harm it and split it into smaller pieces.
- Snails – Snails are a good mate for Subwassertang but be careful when you plant it the first time as they may try to damage and eat the whole plant. Keep an eye on them.
Conclusion
Subwassertang is a leafy brush aquatic plant that you must have in your aquarium. It can grow easily with no additional requirements. It is the best choice for fry and shrimp tanks and can increase oxygen in your aquarium.
Subbwassertang fits well with any time of spice at your aquarium, and if you are looking for an easy-to-carry plant for your tank, then Subwassertang is your best choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Subwassertang
Having a new plant in your aquarium is not easy, so we will try to answer the most common questions for you.
Q: Is Subwassertang easy to grow?
Subwassertang can grow very easily with no additional requirements. It grows in any condition, but we suggest you keep lighting low-medium and pH 6-8 for this plant. You can simply plant it by directly placing it in your aquarium, and with no additional caring, it can grow very fast.
Q: How fast does Subwassertang grow?
Subbwassertang grows very fast and easily; in a few weeks after planting, you will have a nice leafy brush of Subwassertang. At our aquarium, we had it smaller than 1 cm (0.3 in), and after a few months, it covered almost half of all the aquarium space.
