java fern growing something

[ballinhawaiian]

Hi all plant fanatics,
I am kinda new to the aquarium world, but I have been reading a lot of books and checking the forums of this site and others. I have 2 java ferns and about 2 dozen elodea shoots in my tank and the java fern is growing some hairy looking tips. It seems to only be on one of them. I'm not sure if it is new growth, because I haven't seen any other growth from them in the past month. The dark tips are growing something caterpillar-like and I want to know if its gonna hurt the fish in my tank. 3 platys, 1 pleco. Thanks for you time!

[RockabillyChick]

does it look anything like this?

http://koti.phnet.fi/jarkki/kasvit/Jaavansaniainen%20(Microsorum%20pteropus%20-%20Windelov).jpg

if so, then you just have a different type of java fern called "windelov" only the mature leaves desplay these fingers on the tips. its nothing to worry about.

if its something else though, then please let us know.

[ScorpioMonkey]

oh... one of mine is doing what you describe... not what the pic is, but little hairy "roots." At least, that's what I think they are. and there was/is a little leaf at the top. I think it's just "budding." but I don't know for sure. The lights are off for the night, or i'd post a pic.

[RockabillyChick]

the rhyzome does send out little hairy roots, but none of that should be on the leaves.

[flyfly]

brown stringy-like roots coming from the tips of the leaves is normal. It is where a new plant is going to start growing.

[ballinhawaiian]

Thanks for all the comments, I do believe that it is new growth and not really anything bad. All of the tests come back as a positive little tank that I have going. I can't get any pics on the plants up because the files are too big to attatch to posts, but I'll give it some more time. Thanks again for all the responses so soon, it really helps to have a forum that people check kinda often. Good night, and good luck!