Guppy Grass Question

[CACAdmin]

I was investigating plants native to Canada and came across najas flexils (http://canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/species/plants/plantpages/naj_fle.htm) on the Canadian Bio-Diversity Website. It looks just like guppy grass. So I went checking. According to plantgeek what we call guppy grass is najas guadalupensis (http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=174).

Curious about the difference, I found this info (http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=222000255) which states that "In the northern United States and in Canada, N. flexilis is by far the most common species of Najas".

So my question for the plant gurus is, which form of najas is it that we have in our aquariums? or do we have both? And is one better suited to our tanks than the other?

[Pamelajo]

Jay the stuff I have looks like the second one posted not so spread out on each branch.

[CACAdmin]

Thanks, Pam. I think mine is too, but it's hard to tell. The name 'Najas grass', of course, covers both.

Interesting to note that if you look at the distribution maps of the two, the najas flexils is spread across the northern US and Canada. One doesn't see it in the southern states. Maybe it doesn't do as well in higher temps, which could be a reason to use the naja guadalupensis in an aquarium. :Dunno:
distribution map of najas flexils (http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=11259&flora_id=1)
distribution map of najas guadalupensis (http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=11264&flora_id=1)

[Melody]

I was just going to suggest the same possibility. I thought of it because we have that issue with the many species known as 'Anacharis'. One doesn't do well in tropical tanks. I'd like to try the Canadian version for my cold water tanks. Even cold water (room temp) might not be cold enough though.

You know it's coming, don't you?

You go find some Jay, I'll wait here. ::D:

[CACAdmin]

From the looks of the distribution map, you should be sending Blaine out to get some for you as it looks like there's some in his neck of the woods
(:secret: Just don't let on to him that I told you to recruit him, ok?)

[Namor]

I also have the guadalupensis variety, and have noticed it seems to thrive better with a strong current. The floating mass in a 20g began wilting around the same time I started having issues with my A.C. hob's becoming plugged up with (planorbid) ramshorns.:frown:

[Melody]

From the looks of the distribution map, you should be sending Blaine out to get some for you as it looks like there's some in his neck of the woods
(:secret: Just don't let on to him that I told you to recruit him, ok?)

And while your shipping that kind to me, Blaine, you can send me that big mass of the other kind too! This works out perfectly.

:Waiting:

[jewels]

What a co incedence; I was just pondering this stuff the other day. What I am calling Naja in my aquariums I find do better @ room temp aquariums. With a heater, three times the light and press. CO2 will no grow this grass @ the same rate as a dim lo-tech tank @ room temp.

[Melody]

Mine seems to need light - it grows much better in the higher light tanks. It does do better in the warmer tanks though.

[CACAdmin]

What a co incedence; I was just pondering this stuff the other day. What I am calling Naja in my aquariums I find do better @ room temp aquariums. With a heater, three times the light and press. CO2 will no grow this grass @ the same rate as a dim lo-tech tank @ room temp.

Interesting. Maybe yours is the more northern najas flexils variety. If you end up with more than you need, you could list some on the auction (noting your variety does better with low light and at room temps.)

[ron bruce]

I don't think I've even seen this plant in a store before. Interesting. :wideeyed:

[jewels]

Promises are threats; I will post a picture.

My wife is four days overdue I think she may shoot me if I were approach the aquarium with a camera.:FishOnDaHead::VampSmiley::yes:

Mine will root. Have you guys had this?

[CACAdmin]

Your wife at this point will be short on patience and wants your undivided focus... she may need you to drop everything and rush her off to the hospital to deliver that baby. The last thing she probably wants is you 'wasting camera batteries' and filling up the memory card with aquarium pictures. :rolleyes: She wants you to be 100% ready to take tons of pictures of the new addition to your family.

Hope the wee one arrives soon!

As for the naja grass, I've never tried planting mine so I don't know if it will root.

[jewels]

spring http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo292/themotherjewels/P1110677.jpg
summerhttp://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo292/themotherjewel/P1120158.jpg (http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo292/themotherjewels/P1120158.jpg)
Thats
no heat
no ferts
no co2
40 Wspringhttp://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo292/themotherjewels/P1110700.jpg
summerhttp://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo292/themotherjewels/P1120177.jpg
Thats
25 C
organic high CEC substrate
30 ppm CO2
520 W HID/fluorescentNot much in the 29 but Vals, guppy grass and java moss
notice the extreme guppy growthLook what the Vals did in the 75 in less time- photo's shady ( they go 48"-all the way across)
wheres the guppy grass?I know it sounds strange -- but
these are my photo's
these are my puddles
this is my guppy growth over timePeople sometimes tell stories. Look @ the photo's ---feel free to make up your own

[Melody]

Once upon a time there was a girl who couldn't grow aquatic plants...

And she still can't unless she grows algae too.

The end.

As for your story, I love tanks full of Najas. If I grew nothing else and Najas filled the tank, I could be content. It started to do quite well in the 90, but then came the thread algae. I've added it again so here's hoping! Val's coming up through it would be a neat look.

[CACAdmin]

That's an amazing amount of guppy grass growth. It looks beautiful. Thanks for posting the pics. :Smile: I've never had any great success with najas grass. I can grow it... just not like that. :wideeyed: