Bulbitis heteroclita – Sold as a bunch with ceramic ring for easy placement in aquariums
$8.99
In stock
🌿 Introduction
Asian Bolbitis is a hardy fern from Southeast Asia that adapts beautifully to aquarium life. Its finely divided fronds provide texture and movement, softening hardscape and creating natural shelter for fish and shrimp. Unlike fast-growing stem plants, this fern grows steadily and rewards patient aquascapers with a delicate, natural look.
🌱 Plant Profile
Type: Epiphyte fern
Origin: Southeast Asia (Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand)
Position: Midground / Attached to wood or stone
Growth Rate: Slow to medium
Lighting: Low to medium
CO₂: Not required, but growth is faster with supplementation
Height / Spread: 6–12 in (15–30 cm) tall · 6–8 in (15–20 cm) spread
Water Parameters: pH 6.0–7.5 · GH 2–12 · KH 1–6
✅ Care Summary
Attach Asian Bolbitis to driftwood or stone using thread, glue, or fishing line; do not bury the rhizome in substrate, as it will rot. Trim dead or older fronds at the base to promote fresh growth. The plant is adaptable to varying conditions but thrives in stable, slightly acidic water. In aquascaping, it provides graceful midground foliage and contrasts well with broader-leaved species. Its tolerance of lower light makes it versatile for shaded layouts.
🌿 Q&A
Q: Is this plant beginner friendly?
A: Yes — while it grows slowly, it is hardy, forgiving, and thrives in a wide range of aquariums.
Q: How should I attach it in an aquascape?
A: Tie or glue the rhizome to wood or rock until roots take hold; avoid planting directly in soil.
Q: Does this plant need CO₂ to survive?
A: No, it does well without CO₂, but growth is noticeably faster with supplementation.
Q: Is this plant suitable for terrariums?
A: Yes — Asian Bolbitis grows emersed in humid terrariums, where its fronds take on a broader, more leathery form.
🌍 Biotope Snapshot – Asian Bolbitis in Nature
| Feature | Example in the Wild |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Slow-moving streams and shaded rivers |
| Substrate | Attached to rocks, wood, and roots in flowing water |
| Depth / Light | Shallow waters with dappled shade |
| Temperature | 68–80 °F (20–27 °C) |
| pH Range | 6.0–7.5 · Slightly acidic to neutral |
| Fauna – Fish | Rasboras, barbs, gouramis, loaches |
| Fauna – Inverts | Shrimp, snails, aquatic insect larvae |
| Other Wildlife | Frogs and semi-aquatic reptiles near shaded banks |
| Ecological Role | Provides cover, reduces current near roots, hosts biofilm |
| Status in Nature | Common in Southeast Asian waterways |
🌍 More About Asian Bolbitis
Bolbitis heteroclita belongs to the fern family Dryopteridaceae and is widely distributed in tropical Asia. It grows along shaded riverbanks, attaching to rocks and driftwood with its creeping rhizome. Its fronds are pinnate and finely divided, giving it a soft, fern-like appearance underwater. Reproduction occurs through both rhizome division and, in emersed conditions, spore production.
In natural ecosystems, Asian Bolbitis provides habitat for shrimp, small fish, and aquatic insects, while stabilizing surfaces in flowing water. In aquascaping, it is a go-to choice for soft, natural layouts and is often used to soften hardscape lines. When grown emersed in terrariums, the fronds become shorter, broader, and leathery, showcasing the plant’s adaptability across different environments.
