Is This Even Aquatic?

[Lochrin]

My wife bought this from a cheapie pet shop. I don't think it is even an aquatic plant.
Sorry about the quality.. my phone camera sucks.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

No not aquatic mate, get it out before it melts and gives you a bio over load

 

[Lochrin]

Tnx Mate.. Found some pet shops are just dodgy, guess these guys get added to the list.

 

[tribalbrit]

stick it in a pot and put in the kitchen window sill!

 

[betta fish]

Looks like an aluminium plant, will make a lovely house plant!

 

[Lochrin]

yeah i stuck it in a vase of water, to see if roots grow, and gave it to the wife to put someplace. She seemed insulted that the pet shop would be able to trick her about plants. this coming from the woman who kills every potted plant she has ever owned.

 

[CezzaXV]

Tnx Mate.. Found some pet shops are just dodgy, guess these guys get added to the list.

I've yet to go to a LFS that hasn't had at least one species of non-aquatic plant on sale. In fact, my LFS of choice has more non-aquatics than aquatic plants for sale. The problem comes with the classification - most non-aquatic plants sold can survive quite some time underwater, and many of them are bog plants, but they're not suited to perpetual submersion and will rot sooner or later if subjected to those conditions.

The best thing you can do is research plants beforehand, whether that's reading up online and going out in search of a specific plant, or even just seeing what takes your fancy, then coming home to check it is actually aquatic or looking up on your smartphone while you're in the shop.

If you're not sure and the plant isn't labelled, it's usually best to assume it's not aquatic.

 

[Lochrin]

I went back to the shop. They swear blind its aquatic.
They have a suppliers index and a color picture chart also claiming its aquatic.
- aluminum plant 'Aquatic variations'.

As they are the only shop for many miles, and are connected to a wholesaler in Sydney, I didn't push it further.. I spent $4 on the plant but picked up a gravel cleaner for $8 less and pump for $11 less that the RRP on them, so I didn't loose much regardless.

What are good plants for live breeders?
Friend gave me some java moss which I have already mounted on timber...

 

[SO19Firearms]

The problem with the "Non aquatics" is they're sold out of the same nurseries - Most plants are grown with just their roots in the nutrient so you'll find HC Cuba growing next to the above plant without a problem - You'll also find that the nurseries classify the "non aquatics" as terrarium plants etc as they should - Its when the plant lists drop in at the local distributor or LFS that they become an alphabetical list on a Spreadsheet that the confusion occurs.
Lets face it these same shops are the ones selling expensive trace mixes as plant food, saying phosphate causes algae and nitrates are dangerous - expecting them to know about plants is pushing it

What are good plants for live breeders?
Friend gave me some java moss which I have already mounted on timber...

Riccia is my favourite - left to float, only the babies will get in. The java moss can take care of the lower regions

 

[Lochrin]

Oki... will see if they have it..

 

[Million]

I was just reading a good article on PFK about the 15 most commonly supplied non aquatic 'aquarium' plants, and remembering having at least five of the different types! That's what you get for not doing your research, or buying from a shop that doesn't specialize in aquatic plants sadly