How to differentiate Ceratopteris from Bolbitis?

[Trichopsis]

Newbie question here:

I'm not really very well-versed with identifying plants, especially when most LFS don't exactly provide proper labels to help with identification. How does one differentiate Ceratopteris thalictroides from Bolbitis heudelotii? I know both are ferns, and I've been staring at photos on Google images, but I just can't really figure out how to tell them apart at a glance.

I know that many LFS sell pieces of wood with Java fern and another sort of fern attached to it. Is this other fern Ceratopteris thalictroides or Bolbitis heudelotii?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and advice!

[stormhawk]

The other kind of fern can vary. Sometimes it is Bolbitis heteroclita.

To differentiate C. thalictroides and B. heudelotii, just use the color. Under normal LFS conditions, C. thalictroides is a light green, B. heudelotii is dark green. The stems differ too. B. heudelotii has thin spindly stems, occasionally black in color. C. thalictroides has a thick stem with the leaves branching out along it, but remaining close to the main stem. The spread of the leaves of B. heudelotti is larger in comparison to the thin branchy leaves of C. thalictroides.

[Trichopsis]

Thanks!

I do get a little annoyed that the sealed plastic bags get all misted up inside and make it difficult to view the contents, but I think I get what you mean.

[Trichopsis]

Saw these in a planted tank at Superstar:

Attachment 29053
Attachment 29054
Attachment 29055

Are any of these Ceratopteris or Bolbitis? Still confused by the many different 'ferny' plants out there.

[stormhawk]

First pic is Ceratopteris thalictroides, second and third is Hygrophila difformis, a fast growing plant.

[Shadow]

None of the picture in the photo is bolbitis, its not even a fern. Why don't you ask the shop keeper, bolbitis is quite common or to be safe go to C328 and ask the aunty.

[Trichopsis]

Thanks stormhawk.

Shadow: I try my best to rely on my own skill in identifying fishes, so I'm also trying to hone my ability to identify some of the plants. Would come in useful when the shops are crowded, or when the plants aren't labelled or are misidentified.