AboutSarracenia Northwest Expertise Got a carnivorous plant problem? The growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin have helped thousands of growers around the world, and they can help you too. When you submit your question, they will diagnose your situation and offer a solution to help you get your carnivorous plant back on track.
Experience With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. Get the straight facts from the guys who grow and propagate thousands of these plants every year.
PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR QUESTION:
We no longer answer how-to questions (i.e. How do I propagate...?; How do I grow...?).
Instead, we help growers by diagnosing a specific plant problem and offering solutions (i.e. Why is my sundew not producing dew?; Is now a good time to divide my Sarracenia?; Why are the traps turning black?; What's a good substitute for perlite?; Why didn't my seeds germinate?; Can you identify this carnivorous plant for me?)
Question Can aquatic bladderwort be grown in a freshwater aquarium with fish? What issues could there be for plant and/or fish?
Answer Hi Brenda,
Just generally speaking for the average home aquarium, I would say no. The water tends to be higher in nitrates acting as fertilizer. Every time I've tried they have died. They also need quite a bit of sun, and most aquarium lights are not that bright.
It is possible to set-up an aquarium with bladderworts in mind. It would require acidifing the water with peat moss, and having smaller fish that would be tolerant of the water. You would also need a brighter light source such as might be used for marine tanks. The best species to experiment with would be Utricularia gibba.
