2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Topnyak (lat. Chara fragilis) - an aquatic plant, widespread almost all over the globe and owes its unusual name to the fact that it is very often seen in the swamps. By the way, this plant also has a second name - hara. And outwardly, it is somewhat reminiscent of a shimmer.
Description
Topnyak is a representative of higher algae, which occupies an intermediate position between algae and lichens. This plant is formed by sufficiently long internodes characterized by the absence of lateral shoots, and the wattle fence often reaches a length of thirty centimeters.
Long and very thin stalks of the tartar are painted in a spectacular emerald color, and lateral branches and false needle-like leaves branch off from their nodules in whorls. All branches are usually unbranched, however, in their axils, lateral branches of a rather impressive length, similar in structure to the main ones, can sometimes develop. In nature, the bizarre stems of this plant are almost always covered with thin calcareous crusts - falling down, they form very solid limestone layers at the bottom of various reservoirs. As for aquariums, such crusts can be seen in them only if the marshmallow grows in well-lit places.
The tartar color varies from pale green shades to juicy green tones - it is in direct proportion to the conditions of detention.
Where grows
The tartar grows equally well both in fresh and brackish water bodies. However, it adapts to aquarium conditions just as well.
Usage
Strawberry is widely used to decorate aquariums - the design of any aquarium, if available, becomes much richer and more spectacular. Growing up, it forms densely intertwined bizarre thickets.
Growing and caring
The marshmallow will feel great in small aquariums, which are recommended to be installed in close proximity to windows in well-lit places - this aquatic beauty needs bright lighting. True, in this case it must be protected from direct sunlight. And the duration of daylight hours for the tartar should be in the range from twelve to fourteen hours.
The best aquarium soil will be fine-grained river sand (however, white quartz sand will also be very appropriate), ideally with a small amount of silt. If the tartar grows in nature, then it will feel best on clay soils.
The ideal temperature range for growing this aquatic beauty is considered to be the range from twenty-five to thirty degrees. At the same time, it is quite acceptable to grow it not only in warm water, but also in cold water aquariums. The optimal acidity of water will be an indicator from 5.0 to 8.0, and the best hardness is in the range from two to sixteen degrees. Topnyak is absolutely unpretentious to the chemical composition of water, moreover, it develops very well even in old water - this handsome man himself perfectly cleans the water, actively collecting a huge amount of suspended particles of unpleasant turbidity on his fancy twigs. By the way, too heavily contaminated specimens should be removed from the aquarium from time to time and thoroughly rinsed under running water. If you ignore this recommendation, then the leaves of the tartar tree will begin to take on a rather unsightly look and may even deteriorate. Ideally, the water in aquariums should be filtered.
The marshmallow plays the role of an excellent substrate for fish spawning, and its picturesque thickets serve as an excellent shelter for baby fry.
The tartar reproduces exclusively vegetatively, by dividing adult plants into several parts. To give a start to its development, it is enough just to throw a small twig into the water.
And since extremely active reproduction and growth are characteristic of the tartar, it must be systematically thinned out.
