sera Pond Insect Nature - Fishfood

Duckweed / Duckweed PortionDuckweed (Lemna minor L) Floating plant suitable for the aquarium also suitable for garden ponds and biotopes Duckweed – a natural floating plant for aquariums, ponds and feed productionDuckweed, also known as water lettuce, is a hardy, fast-growing floating plant suitable for freshwater aquariums, ponds and small rearing tanks. The small, green plants float freely on the water’s surface, reproduce very rapidly under favourable conditions and offer numerous benefits: They remove excess nutrients from the water, provide shade, improve the natural balance and are readily eaten by shrimp, snails, goldfish, ducks and other animals.Breeding and propagationCultivating duckweed is very simple. The plants are placed directly on the water’s surface and require no planting, no substrate and no CO₂ system. With sufficient light, calm water and enough nutrients, they reproduce by division. Under good conditions, the population can increase significantly within a few days. A small container, a nano-aquarium or a plastic tub is sufficient for targeted cultivation. We recommend at least 5 to 10 litres of water, for a more stable and productive culture 20 litres or more. The water should be as still as possible, as duckweed does not tolerate strong currents, splashing water or leaves that are permanently submerged.Optimal conditionsDuckweed is highly adaptable and grows reliably in many freshwater environments. An ideal water temperature of around 18 to 28 °C. Temperatures of approximately 10 to 30 °C are generally tolerated, though growth slows significantly in cooler conditions. The water should be nutrient-rich, for example through the presence of fish, prawns, snails or very sparing use of liquid fertiliser. A pH value in the slightly acidic to slightly alkaline range is suitable; approximately 5.5 to 8.0 is not a problem for most cultures. Water hardness usually plays only a minor role. Above all, sufficient light and a calm water surface are important. A lighting duration of around 8 to 12 hours a day promotes vigorous, green growth.Care instructionsSince duckweed grows very quickly, the population should be thinned out regularly. A completely closed plant canopy can block too much light from reaching other aquarium plants and restrict gas exchange at the water’s surface. You should therefore remove some of the plants using a fine-mesh net or spoon if necessary. To maintain a healthy culture, it is advisable to carry out partial water changes regularly and to remove dead or yellowing plants. In aquariums with strong surface movement, a filter outlet directly at the water’s surface or very nutrient-poor water, growth may be slower.Benefits at a glanceDuckweed is easy to care for, fast-growing and versatile.They help break down nutrients, provide shelter for young fish, naturally shade the aquarium and are ideal as a supplementary food for many aquatic animals.This makes them ideal for aquarists, pond owners and anyone wishing to create a simple, natural plant culture.The delivery consists of a starter batch of live duckweed for further propagation.Please note: Duckweed can spread very rapidly and should not be released into natural water bodies.