Sand Under Plant Turning Black

[Imber]

I've had this plant that was sold to me as anubias in a tank for about 2 weeks and today I was replanting it as my frogs uprooted it and I noticed that the sand under the plant is black! I'm starting to wonder if this is one of those non-aquatic plants that they sold as aquatic so I was hoping somebody could ID it for me.



Thanks!

 

[Kevstir]

no that's an aquatic plant m8, its an Amazon Sword , when planting this plant its advised to cut the roots down to about 2".

 

[nry]

Not 100% sure on it being a sword, there are anubias like that....www.tropica.com is a good place to look.

Anubias should not generally be planted in the sand/gravel - if you bury the rhizome (bit leaves grow on) it often rots and kills the plant.

The black sand is either the rhizome rotting and/or an anaerobic patch developing around the base of the plant.

 

[Kevstir]

that looks exactly like my Amazon swords too, i didnt realise you could get anubias like that..

 

[Imber]

It could be a sword I really don't know my plants very well I have a sword in my other tank, but it's leaves seem much thinner than this one so that's why it didn't occur to me that it could be a sword. This one has thick, almost waxy leaves. Do you think it would be best to lift it out of the sand and then just weight it down with the river rocks? I could also switch out the sand for something else if need be.

Here's a better picture

 

[Kevstir]

after seeing that close up picture i can see its not like my swords, the leaves on mines are a bit simmer and don't have the thick vains coming out from the centre of the leaves..

sorry for the confusion m8, i think i will leave plant identification to the experts ..

Kev

 

[DarkEntity]

Its an Amazon Sword.

 

[pratty675]

are they frogs in there? lol

 

[Imber]

Yeah there are 3 african dwarf frogs in the tank

 

[drewry]

its defo an amozon sword iv got the same i dont know what type but you can get a few differnt ones,
i read its best to cut all brown roots off thats what probly turning the sand black , and leave the white roots but cut the tips off them to encurage more roots

 

[Imber]

Alright, thanks! I'll do that. I'm a little concerned with the new identification though because now I'm not sure it's going to get enough light. When I bought it I was using a little compact fluorescent in the hood light, but it stopped working so I've just been using a little desk lamp with a 13w full spectrum fluorescent bulb that I aim at it from the side. I also open the blinds behind the tank to let the sun in sometimes, but there's no direct sunlight. Will it be okay under these conditions? I wanted anubias because it's so forgiving when it comes to light

 

[frozenbarb]

Dunno But it doesnt look lik eno sword to me.. Just keep a eye on it see if it even grows