Sign In

Forgot your password? Sign Up
1 2

Malaysian Red (Microsorum pteropus)

Malaysian Red (Microsorum pteropus)

<p>Earn%20[points_amount]%20when%20completing%20this%20purchase.</p>
Amount: Rhizome

Sub total:

$8.50

Useful add-ons

Loading add-ons…

 View full details
Description
Reviews
Policies & Disclaimers
Description
Aquatic Plants

Malaysian Red Java Fern

Broad, strap-like fronds with a striking reddish-brown underside and deep green surface — the most dramatically two-toned Java Fern cultivar available.

Red-Brown Underside Deep Green Upper Surface Broad Strap-Like Fronds Rhizome — Do Not Bury No CO₂ Required Low to Medium Light

Malaysian Red Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus 'Malaysian Red') is distinguished within the Java Fern genus by a characteristic that no other common cultivar shares — a reddish-brown to burgundy underside on established fronds that contrasts directly with the deep green of the upper leaf surface. The result is a plant whose appearance changes meaningfully depending on viewing angle and light direction: from the front, deep green with visible dark venation; from the side or below, a warm red-brown that catches light differently from any other low-tech plant in the catalog. The broad, strap-like fronds are similar in form to standard Java Fern but with a heavier, more substantial feel — wider across the midpoint and carrying the two-toned coloration most pronouncedly on mature, fully developed fronds. Like all Java Ferns, it grows from a rhizome that attaches to driftwood and stone, requires no CO₂ or substrate planting, and is fully safe with all Neocaridina, Caridina shrimp, and snails.

Not Required CO₂
68–82°F Temperature
Low–Med Lighting
What to Expect

Growth & Appearance Over Time

Reddish-brown underside on a deep green upper surface — the defining characteristic of Malaysian Red is the two-toned coloration that develops on established fronds: a deep, rich green on the upper surface with prominent dark venation, and a warm reddish-brown to burgundy on the underside that is visible whenever fronds are viewed from the side, below, or when they curl slightly at the tips. New growth emerges green on both surfaces and develops the red-brown underside progressively as fronds mature — most pronounced on older, fully established leaves. Broad strap-like fronds wider than standard Java Fern — Malaysian Red produces fronds that are broader across the midpoint than standard Microsorum pteropus, giving each leaf more visual mass and a more substantial presence on hardscape. The wide frond surface accumulates biofilm across a large area, providing generous foraging territory that shrimp and snails graze thoroughly — and the two-toned surface makes the foraging behavior particularly visible when shrimp work across the red-brown underside of an elevated frond. Two-toned coloration most visible with side or angled lighting — the red-brown underside of Malaysian Red reads most dramatically when the plant is lit from the side or front-below rather than directly overhead. Overhead lighting illuminates primarily the green upper surface; light from the side or from a front-positioned light source catches the underside of fronds and reveals the full contrast between the two surfaces. Placement where fronds are visible from multiple angles maximizes the visual character of this cultivar. Slow, steady rhizome growth typical of the genus — Malaysian Red grows at the deliberate pace characteristic of all Java Ferns, adding fronds gradually over weeks and expanding the rhizome steadily. Individual fronds are long-lived and hold their quality for months, making the plant a genuinely permanent fixture in any layout it is established in. Adventitious plantlets develop on mature frond surfaces and edges over time, which can be removed and attached to new hardscape once they have developed several leaves and visible roots. Rhizome must remain fully above substrate — the horizontal stem connecting roots and fronds must never be buried or covered by substrate. Burial causes rot that spreads through the plant irreversibly. Attach to driftwood or stone with thread or super glue gel, or rest on the substrate surface with the rhizome fully exposed at all times. Tolerates a wide range of parameters reliably — like all Java Fern cultivars, Malaysian Red performs across pH 6.0–8.0, a broad temperature range, and both soft and moderately hard water without issue. It is among the most parameter-tolerant plants in the catalog — a reliable choice for new tanks, tanks with fluctuating parameters, and keepers who want low-maintenance permanence over precision cultivation.
How to Set It Up

Getting Started

1 Attach to driftwood or stone — never plant in substrate — secure the rhizome to driftwood or porous rock with cotton thread or a small amount of super glue gel. The rhizome must remain exposed to open water at all times. Malaysian Red establishes well on both smooth and rough hardscape surfaces — rough or porous textures grip rhizome roots more quickly, but attachment on smooth wood is equally achievable with thread holding the position while roots develop.
2 Position where fronds are visible from multiple angles — place the plant where the broad fronds face outward toward the main viewing angle but are also visible from the side — a slightly angled position on driftwood rather than flush against a flat surface or the back glass. The two-toned character of Malaysian Red requires viewing angles that expose the underside of fronds to light and observation, which a dead-on frontal position flattened against a wall does not allow.
3 Place in low to medium light — Malaysian Red is shade-tolerant and produces healthy fronds under low light. Medium lighting produces the deepest green on the upper surface and the most pronounced reddish-brown on the underside of mature fronds — the full two-toned contrast is most vivid in moderate rather than low light conditions. Avoid high-intensity positions that risk algae on the slow-growing frond surfaces.
4 Dose liquid fertilizer to support frond development — Malaysian Red feeds through its leaves from the water column as an epiphyte. Consistent liquid fertilization covering macros and micros supports steady new frond production and helps the red-brown underside coloration develop most fully on new growth. Without regular fertilization the plant grows and survives but new fronds may develop the red-brown coloration less prominently than those produced under good nutritional conditions.
💡 Bonus Tip

Malaysian Red and Windelov Fern on the same piece of driftwood creates one of the most texturally and chromatically varied hardscape plantings achievable with low-tech plants — the broad, two-toned fronds of Malaysian Red provide visual mass and warm underside color, while the finely forked, lace-like tips of Windelov provide delicate texture at the same scale. Both grow at the same pace, share identical care, and together on a single piece of driftwood look like a considered, deliberate pairing rather than two plants placed near each other by coincidence.

🌿
Browse more aquatic plants

Pair Malaysian Red with Windelov Fern, Anubias, or Bucephalandra for a complete low-tech hardscape planting. Browse our Aquatic Plants collection.

→
Before placing your order, please review our 📋 DOA Policy 🚚 Shipping Info
Reviews
Policies & Disclaimers
Aquatic plants

Policies & Disclaimers

Choosing your portions, using the plant promotion, and knowing what to expect when your plants arrive.

Buy 2 Get 1 Free: add all three

Choose three eligible plant items and add all three to your cart, including the plant you want free. The discount applies automatically at checkout; no code is needed. Adding only two items does not add a third plant for you.

Mix and match eligible varieties or choose multiple quantities of the same eligible plant. The least expensive eligible item is free. For example, with eligible items priced at $5, $8 and $10, the $5 item is discounted and the plant subtotal is $18 before shipping and tax.

The offer repeats for complete qualifying groups: three eligible items give one free, six give two free, and nine give three free. The current offer has no per-order use limit. Items must be included in the promotion; Plant Weights and other non-plant accessories do not qualify.

An item means the sale unit in your cart. One bunch, cup, portion or multipack counts as one item when purchased at quantity one, not one item for every stem, leaf or bulb inside it. Check the listing and selected option for what each unit contains.

Check the discount and quantities in your order summary before paying. Other promotions can affect the final discount; multiple product discounts do not stack on the same item. This is an online checkout offer, not an automatic in-store POS discount.

Plant Promotion Details

Portions, sizes & what you receive

Read this plant’s description and selected option for its sale format, portion size and any stated stem or plant count. A bunch, loose portion, rooted plant, bulb, cup and mounted plant are different products; there is no single size or count that applies to every plant we sell.

A mature height or spread describes potential growth in an aquarium, not the size shipped. Use the advertised purchase portion to plan your order. A full carpet, dense moss-covered surface or established group in a photograph may require several portions and time to grow.

Do not assume that a pot, planting weight, rock, wood, substrate or other display accessory is included unless the listing explicitly says it is. If the received portion appears different from the selected listing, photograph it with its packaging and contact us promptly.

Photos, color & natural variation

Photos illustrate the named plant or variety and its appearance. Living plants vary in leaf size, shape, root development, branching and fullness; a photo of an established specimen is not a measurement of each portion shipped. The product description and selected option remain the reference for your purchase.

Aquarium lighting, camera settings and the growing environment affect perceived color. Red or pink varieties can look different under different lighting and growing conditions. Do not use a photograph alone to select a plant’s care requirements or expect immediate mature coloration.

Above-water growth & the transition underwater

Some aquarium plants can grow with their leaves above water as well as submerged. These growth forms can have different leaf shapes and appearances. New underwater growth may look different from older leaves as the plant adjusts. This explanation does not mean every plant is supplied in the same growth form; follow any specific information in the listing.

Leaf loss or softening after a change of environment is often called melt. Look at the plant as a whole and its growing points rather than judging only one older leaf. Do not assume that a damaged plant is simply transitioning or wait for new growth before reporting an arrival problem.

This is background care information, not a new exclusion from the Live Arrival Guarantee. Arrival damage is assessed under the existing policy.

Planting: match the method to the plant

For stem plants, separate the stems and plant with room between them. For rosette plants, position the roots in the substrate without burying the crown. Remove transport bindings and growing material carefully where appropriate.

For Anubias and Java fern, keep the rhizome exposed rather than burying it. Moss can be divided into smaller portions and attached to suitable hardscape. Floating plants belong at the surface. Bulbs and tubers need species-specific planting depth; do not assume every type should be fully buried.

Keep plants damp while working. Follow the individual listing for placement and care, especially when a plant has unusual requirements. These are planting tips, not additional conditions for a claim.

Growth, tank conditions & choosing companions

Plan for the plant’s mature size, available light and the space it will occupy. A background stem plant, slow-growing rhizome plant and floating plant serve different roles; a purchase portion does not instantly create a finished aquascape.

Use the listing’s guidance on light, nutrients and carbon dioxide rather than assuming every plant needs the same setup. Growth rate and final appearance depend on aquarium conditions and maintenance. More light alone is not a substitute for a balanced setup.

Consider animals that dig, uproot or eat plants before choosing placement. Floating growth can shade plants below it, and fast-growing plants may need thinning. Observe new growth and make gradual, species-appropriate adjustments.

Hitchhikers & introducing plants

Our existing policy does not guarantee pest-free arrival. Plants can carry tiny organisms or eggs, including snail eggs, despite inspection. Inspect new plants before introduction, and consider separate observation or quarantine to protect an established aquarium.

Do not assume a plant is sterile, pesticide-free or safe for a particular treatment unless the listing explicitly provides that information. Sensitive leaves, mosses and roots can respond differently to dips. Research the exact plant and any treatment before using it; do not apply an animal medication or a strong dip by default.

Arrival problems: document and contact us promptly

For damaged or dead plants, email support@superiorshrimpaquatics.com within two hours of the carrier’s recorded delivery time. Use the email address on the order and include all arrival concerns in your first message.

Send clear photographs of the affected plants and their packaging, with the shipping label or invoice visible for identification. Photograph packaging damage before unpacking or discarding materials, and consult the full guarantee’s documentation instructions. Keep the original photos.

The current guarantee covers aquatic plants but excludes promotional or free items. That existing exclusion also matters when ordering a free promotional plant. Claims and available resolutions are assessed under the full policy; this tab does not expand or reduce coverage.

Live Arrival Guarantee

Shipping your plants

Plants ship Monday and Tuesday, with Wednesday shipping available for 2-day or overnight services. Orders remain subject to stock, fulfillment timing and weather holds under our shipping policy. A shipping-service estimate is not a guaranteed dispatch date.

Plan to receive the package promptly and inspect it on arrival. Review the full shipping information for weather precautions, transit expectations and delivery issues. If your cart also contains live animals, review the shipping requirements for those animals as well.

Shipping Information

Returns & order questions

Check the plant name, portion, quantity and selected option before completing checkout. Contact us before sending anything back; returns require prior written authorization under our existing policy. The full return policy explains the applicable conditions.

Return Policy

This tab explains the existing offer and policies alongside plant-care guidance. Care tips do not create new claim requirements or exclusions. Refer to the linked policies for complete terms.

    Malaysian Red (Microsorum pteropus)
    $8.50
    $8.50
    Home Shop
    Wishlist     Log in