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Microsorum Trident Borneo

Microsorum Trident Borneo

✨ Microsorum Trident Borneo – Microsorum pteropus “Trident Borneo” is a beautiful Java Fern variety known for its narrow, branching leaf tips that create a soft “trident” shape. Compared with standard Java Fern, this form has a more refined texture and a lighter, more detailed appearance in the aquascape.

🌱 Beginner Level: A reliable choice for new and experienced aquarists, Microsorum Trident Borneo grows well in low-tech aquariums, does not require CO₂, and should be attached to driftwood, lava rock, or aquascaping stone instead of being buried in the substrate.

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Ideal for Nature Aquarium, jungle, riverbank, driftwood, low-tech, and shaded aquascapes
Its forked leaf tips create natural movement and a more delicate look than regular Java Fern, making it excellent for softening hardscape.

Beautiful trident-shaped leaf structure
The narrow leaves often split near the tips, giving the plant a unique layered texture that works especially well around driftwood branches and stone edges.

Perfect for beginner aquariums
Microsorum Trident Borneo is hardy, slow-growing, and forgiving, making it a great option for tanks without CO₂ or strong lighting.

Excellent attached plant for hardscape design
It can be tied or glued to driftwood, lava rock, dragon stone, seiryu stone, or aquarium caves, where the exposed rhizome stays healthy and roots naturally grip the surface.

Strong contrast with broad-leaf and fine-textured plants
Its slim, forked leaves pair beautifully with Anubias Coffeefolia, Anubias barteri, Bucephalandra Pandora, Cryptocoryne wendtii, Java Moss, Flame Moss, Rotala indica, and Bacopa caroliniana.

Great with colourful fish and shrimp
The clean green fern texture makes red, orange, blue, and silver fish stand out. It looks especially good with ember tetras, chili rasboras, neon tetras, cardinal tetras, harlequin rasboras, honey gouramis, bettas, pearl gouramis, blue dream shrimp, red cherry shrimp, and amano shrimp.

Origin: Southeast Asia / Borneo form

Type: Rhizome plant / attached fern

Growth Rate: Slow to medium

Size: Height: 10–30 cm / 4–12 in Width: 10–25 cm / 4–10 in depending on age and placement

Natural Habitat: Microsorum species grow along shaded tropical streams, riverbanks, wet rocks, roots, and forest margins. They are naturally adapted to attaching to hard surfaces instead of growing deeply buried in soil.

Special Considerations: Do not bury the rhizome. The thick horizontal rhizome must stay exposed above the substrate or attached to hardscape. If buried, it may rot. Because this plant grows slowly, avoid placing it directly under very strong light where algae can build up on older leaves.

Did You Know?
Java Fern varieties can produce small baby plants directly on older leaves. These tiny plantlets can later be separated and attached to wood or stone, making Microsorum one of the easiest aquarium plants to propagate naturally.

Tank Size: Suitable for aquariums 20 L / 5 gallons or larger, including nano tanks, betta tanks, shrimp tanks, and peaceful community aquariums.

Plant Placement: Best used as a midground attached plant or soft background accent in smaller aquariums. Attach Microsorum Trident Borneo to driftwood, lava rock, or stone so the forked leaves can spread naturally. It works beautifully behind Anubias nana Petite, beside Bucephalandra Pandora, above moss-covered rocks, or in front of taller plants such as Vallisneria nana, Rotala indica, and Bacopa caroliniana.

Compatibility: Suitable for peaceful freshwater aquariums with bettas, guppies, endlers, neon tetras, cardinal tetras, ember tetras, rummynose tetras, harlequin rasboras, chili rasboras, honey gouramis, pearl gouramis, Corydoras, kuhli loaches, Otocinclus, shrimp, and snails. The narrow green leaves create a calm backdrop that makes bright orange fish, blue fish, red shrimp, and metallic schooling fish appear more vibrant.

Substrate: Substrate is optional. This plant is best attached to hardscape. If placed near substrate, keep the rhizome above the surface and allow only the roots to grow downward into gravel, sand, or aquasoil.

Light: Low to medium (15–50 PAR).

Temperature: 20–28°C / 68–82°F

pH: 6.0 – 7.8

GH: 3–15 dGH

CO₂: Not required.

Care & Propagation:
Trim older, damaged, or algae-covered leaves close to the rhizome using clean scissors. To propagate, divide the rhizome into healthy sections with several leaves and roots, or allow baby plantlets to develop on mature leaves before attaching them to new hardscape.

Portion Size: 1 carefully selected Microsorum Trident Borneo plant, freshly packed and ready for aquarium placement.

Plant Size: Small to medium rhizome plant with narrow trident-shaped green leaves and visible roots. Size may vary depending on current stock.

Plant Type: Rhizome aquarium fern / attached plant. Best attached to driftwood, lava rock, or aquascaping stone.

Snail-Free & Aquarium Safe: Plants are grown without chemicals that could harm fish, shrimp, or other aquarium inhabitants and are carefully inspected to ensure they are snail-free.

Transition After Shipping: Some older leaves may develop dark spots, yellowing, or minor melting after shipping as the plant adapts to new aquarium conditions. This is normal for Java Fern varieties. New growth may take time because Microsorum grows slowly, but healthy rhizomes usually adapt well.

Planting Guide

  1. Remove the protective plastic packaging.
  2. Rinse the plant gently with clean water.
  3. Inspect the rhizome and remove any damaged leaves.
  4. Do not bury the rhizome in the substrate.
  5. Attach the plant to driftwood, lava rock, or stone using cotton thread, fishing line, or aquarium-safe glue.
  6. Place it in low to medium light with gentle water movement.
  7. Keep the rhizome fully exposed.
  8. Allow the roots to naturally grip the hardscape over time.

Tip
Use Microsorum Trident Borneo around branching driftwood to create a natural forest-river look. Its forked green leaves look especially strong beside dark Anubias Coffeefolia, small Bucephalandra, and moss-covered stone, while colourful fish such as ember tetras, chili rasboras, cardinal tetras, and bright bettas stand out beautifully against the soft green fern texture.