Planted Tank 12 Gallon Long Baby Dwarf Tears Carpet

Dwarf baby tears are one of the nigh beautiful and delicate foreground plants you can currently go. Their bright clusters can be used to completely embrace the substrate of freshwater aquariums, creating a soft bed of lush green, or they can exist used for coverage floating on the surface of the water. They demand high lighting and loftier nutrients, so getting this species to fully establish in your aquarium tin be difficult but should have no problems growing once settled.

Keep reading to find out everything you demand to know about dwarf baby tears care and keeping these freshwater plants in your own organisation!

Name

Hemianthus callitrichoides is commonly known equally dwarf baby tears and may be abbreviated as DBT or HC after their scientific name.

These plants were recently discovered in 2003 and accept since become a very popular aquarium establish.

Natural habitat

Dwarf infant tears were get-go discovered in the area e of Havana, Cuba. It was described as a small rocky constitute and is idea only to be endemic to those specific regions in Cuba. However, other members of the Hemianthusgenus may be found in other countries.

While not much is known about its natural freshwater environment, it is thought that this species comes from shallow waters with high food contents and moderate to fast water current. Information technology likes to place itself between rocks and fallen trees, where information technology uses its roots to anchor into porous surface areas.

Identification

This is actually the smallest of all known aquarium plants and volition but reach a maximum size of about 5-half dozen inches (12-15 cm). Dwarf baby tears accept small rounded leaves that are a bright and vibrant dark-green. It volition often be grown as a carpeted foreground constitute in display tanks but is usually sold in tufts or in small pots; it may also sometimes be used as a floating plant, though this is less common.

If kept in a tank with near-perfect conditions and the plant is especially happy, you lot may come across tiny white flowers bloom from time to time, though they are very piece of cake to overlook and miss completely.

Dwarf babe tears tank requirements

Dwarf infant tears are moderately difficult to continue due to their high demand for lite and nutrients. They need a stable tropical water temperature between 68-82° F (20-28° C), KH between 0-10, and pH between five.0-vii.five. Suggested water flow if moderate to high. If used as a floating institute, surface water electric current should not cause the leaves to sink or overly bump into the side of the aquarium.

Substrate should be fine-grained and rich with nutrients, especially atomic number 26 content. Low iron will cause leaves to turn yellowish and overall growth will be stunted.

This species tends to do especially well in a nano tank due to its size and exact demands. At to the lowest degree 2 watts of calorie-free per gallon by total-spectrum bulbs (5000-7000K) is recommended for the best growth and results.

Dwarf baby tears tank mates

This plant looks best among other foreground species of different colors to create contrast and interest in the tank. Considering this plant requires such loftier lighting, you might also consider planting Rotala macrandra, Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini,' Vesicularia montagnei (Christmas moss), Cryptocoryne parva, and Eleocharis montevidensis to name a few.

While this is a relatively hardy plant that volition recover after being nipped at by other tank mates, it is best to keep them with calm and peaceful freshwater fish. Fish similar oscars, goldfish, cichlids, and other big fish should exist avoided.

This species is unremarkably used for breeding/spawning tanks; the thick dense carpet is a perfect identify for eggs to be laid and fry to feel safety.

Make certain to bank check out our full Cryptocoryne care sail here.

Planting dwarf babe tears

You have the selection to leave this plant free-floating at the top of your tank or you can plant information technology in the substrate; most hobbyists prefer its carpeted substrate upshot.

It is best to take small bunches of the plant and spread them evenly throughout the bottom of your tank. Make sure that the roots are planted deep enough into the substrate so that they don't easily bladder away. They will do best in a nutrient-rich fine-grained substrate.

Apart from loftier lighting, these plants volition demand to exist regularly supplemented with CO2 and fertilizers.

How long does it take dwarf infant tears to carpet?

It can have a while for your plant to settle in and first growing. Once it gets used to the conditions in your tank and lighting and nutrient needs are met, then you can look the growth charge per unit to increment. Simply if you're looking for a fast-growing establish, then this is definitely not the species for you.

While the growth rate is moderately slow, this found can and will grow over itself to the signal where it is competing against itself for light and nutrients. Regular pruning will be needed to go on your plant healthily and steadily growing.

Will dwarf baby tears abound on driftwood?

In its natural environment, dwarf baby tears are found growing on porous surfaces, such as submerged pieces of wood and rocks. In the aquarium trade, they're usually more favored for their advent as a carpet foreground found, but will readily attach to driftwood too.

If you desire growth on the driftwood in your tank, simply tie down a bunch or two using rubber bands or angling line. After a couple of weeks, your plant should have attached itself and information technology volition be condom to cut the line.

Propagating dwarf baby tears

Because dwarf baby tears are slow growers, it'southward mutual for hobbyists to aid the constitute offset to carpet through propagation. This species reproduces past sending out runners from their roots which so form a whole new plant. This new growth tin exist advisedly cut and transplanted to a new section of the tank to help even the spread of coverage.

These runners can as well be clipped to help control growth if the plant has grown besides much.

Conclusion

If yous take a planted tank with lots of light and lots of supplemented nutrients, then babe tears can brand a cute foreground add-on with lots of space for other contrasting plants. While they are not the fastest-growing species and can be difficult to get established, their ability to exist easily propagated and the lush aquascape they abound into will quickly make them your favorite constitute in your tank!

If you lot have any questions about dwarf baby tears intendance or have experience keeping this species in your own tank, don't hesitate to leave a comment below!

mcdonnellfromight.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.aquariadise.com/dwarf-baby-tears/

Share this post