4 replies to this topic

[AlbaAquarist]

Hi, i'm currently in the process of planning an Okefenokee swamp biotope. I already have a list of fish that inhabit the area but can't seem to find any information on aquatic vegetation beyond riparian and emersed growth. I have experience with other blackwater biotopes and submerged growth is usually very limited due to the stained and highly acidic water, is this the case with the Okefenokee or are there submerged aquatic plants?

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​Any information would be helpful, either from anybody who has visited the area, or from written sources.

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​Thanks in advance.

[gerald]

Aquatic native plants I typically see in blackwater swamps in eastern North Carolina include Ludwigia palustris, Cabomba, Juncus repens, Callitriche, Eleocharis, Micranthemum, Myriophyllum, Proserpinaca, Nuphar, Nymphaea, Sparganium, and Utricularia.  Most of those probably also occur in Okefenokee Swamp (ain't never been there; they tell me it's nice).  Not all blackwater streams are acidic; some areas have enough mineral content in the soils (and/or runoff from agriculture and developed lands) that keeps pH in the 6 to 7 range.  More plant diversity in those waters, of course. 

[lilyea]

A place to start: http://www.okeswamp....rk/swamp-plants

 

Best of luck!  Please share pictures of your progress!

[AlbaAquarist]

Aquatic native plants I typically see in blackwater swamps in eastern North Carolina include Ludwigia palustris, Cabomba, Juncus repens, Callitriche, Eleocharis, Micranthemum, Myriophyllum, Proserpinaca, Nuphar, Nymphaea, Sparganium, and Utricularia.  Most of those probably also occur in Okefenokee Swamp (ain't never been there; they tell me it's nice).  Not all blackwater streams are acidic; some areas have enough mineral content in the soils (and/or runoff from agriculture and developed lands) that keeps pH in the 6 to 7 range.  More plant diversity in those waters, of course. 

 

So most plants found in the rest of the South-East United States should be present in Okefenokee? Thats great, I found this list of invasives and natives of Florida when I was originally planning a Florida Flag fish biotope (changed my mind). Are most of the common aquarium plants from this list likely to be found there?

 

 

A place to start: http://www.okeswamp....rk/swamp-plants

 

Best of luck!  Please share pictures of your progress!

 

Thanks for the link. It will be a while until I start the tank, I just like to plan ahead , but I'll be sure to post some pictures once I've set it up.

[gerald]

No, not all.  The ones that need more mineral hardness, like Vallisneria and Ceratophyllum, may not survive in very soft water.  Blackwater swamps are not nearly as species-rich (in aquatic plants) as spring-fed habitats.

 

So most plants found in the rest of the South-East United States should be present in Okefenokee?