Najas

By Clint Norwood

Scientific Name: Najas graminea
 
Range: Africa and Asia
 
Adult Size: up to 30cm (12in)
 
Ease Of Keeping: Very Easy
 
Lighting: Bright
 
Aquarium Requirements: Extremely easy to keep and very fast growing. This is a free floating aquarium plant similar in appearance to the more common Elodea/Egeria (waterweed) plants. Light green in color, it has a central stem with thin branches from which the small leaves grow. Very fragile, the stems easily break up into smaller pieces that keep growing soon filling up even the largest of tanks with a tangle of growth. Has to be thinned out regularly by the hand fulls.
 

Comments: This plant is useful for the initial planting of an aquarium to prevent algae from getting started. It's great food for Goldfish and other plant eating species, and makes a nice cover for fry and eggs. Bright light and good water will guarantee success.