Dwarf Baby Tears, also known as Hemianthus Callitrichoides or Hemianthus Callitrichoides in aquarium literature, is perhaps one of the most popular foreground plants such as planted aquariums.
It develops tiny, bright green leaves at an amazing rate, since the tank floor with a lush valley carpeting.
The Dwarf Baby Tears naturally occurs in Cuba, however, it's spread through planted tanks worldwide. They're generally sold individually in small pots or, for even less patient aquarists that want an immediate carpeting, they come already optimized and grown in coco fiber mats.
They are also able to be found rooted in driftwood bits for aquascaping purposes.
Even the Hemianthus Callitrichoides will flourish in mostly contaminated water with a pH range between 5.0-7.5 and also a fever between 70-84 degrees Fahrenheit. Being so small, this plant is ideal even for Nano tanks, so provided they have been well-lit.
Light as strong as 2 drops per gallon minimum should really be available to hold the plant growing near the floor. Less light will induce it to rise upto the surface, where it typically lives in the open.
Dwarf Baby Tears usually are found rooting on porous stones or driftwood pieces. They can be planted within the substrate as a foreground plant, however the effect is a lot stronger and more natural when attached to additional tank objects.
It is possible to tie modest segments of Hemianthus to some rock or wooden bit of your own choice and then leave it to build up its own roots across the object. Many aquarists prefer using cotton thread rather than rubber bands or fishing line, since it's barely noticeable and it dissolves with the years, leaving only the origins attached.
Another manner of keeping them from drifting around would be to pay the Dwarf Baby Tears' roots together with moss that will then add weight to the plant.
All these mosses will offer extra nourishment, as well as a good hiding ground for newly hatched fry.
For planting at the substrate, then you can plant an entire kettle in one place and wait for this to spread, or you are able to split up little stalks and plant them about one inch apart for faster policy.
This can be a timeconsuming procedure, however, so allow some aquascaping hours. Plant the stalks employing a long pair of tweezers and make certain that the roots are well inserted in the soil.
Care
Dwarf Baby Tears desire a high-value substrate rich in nutrients and minerals, particularly iron. The plant is more sensitive to iron deficiency and also will display yellowish leaves if there is inadequate iron at the tank.
They will do best with CO2 supplementation and constant fertilization to help hasten growth speed.
Always prune this plant, even as while growing, new stems are certain to reach top of older types and suffocate themDwarf Baby Tears literally kills itself when left unattended.
Reduce the stems with a very sharp pair of scissors or a razor blade to help keep them in place whilst trimming.
Reproduction
Even the Hemianthus has pretty slow rise and development speed, but may still spread across the substrate after settling in your tank. Roots will branch off and produce a complex network, leading to a carpet-like look, but only in case you remember to constantly trim the plant to keep it low.
Another popular method of distributing the Dwarf Baby Tears will be always to take smaller segments of larger plants and replanting these at the substrate.
In this manner they will cover the tank up floor faster, as propagation is manufactured out of several points.
The Dwarf Baby Tears could be planted alongside other short foreground plants in contrasting colors. The dense carpet enables spawning fish to lay their eggs as well as the young fry to hide from harassing adults.
There's no worry if plant-nipping fish graze on the Hemianthus Callitrichoides, as it will quickly recover and grow , particularly if it has covered a substantial surface.
Make an effort not to incorporate ravaging fish, such as Oscars or Jack Dempseysinto a tank implanted with Hemianthus Callitrichoides, since they are going to make an effort to uproot poorer stalks when"rescaping" the tank.
Goldfish are not a good idea as a result of the different ecological conditions and simply because they will stubbornly try to eat just as a lot of their plant as you possibly can.
Be creative and use your imagination and try some aquascaping tricks for this particular small versatile plant. You can put it to use in a number of tanks, even from the smallest to the largest, in a variety of means.
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