Cookies seem to be disabled in your browser, therefore this website will NOT work properly! Please, consider enabling Cookies in order to maximise your user experience while browsing.
Recent discussions at Aqua-Fish+
  1. ja at Comprehensive Care Guide for Peacock Cichlid (Aulonocara) – Habitat, Breeding & Tank Setup on
  2. ja at Caring for Rainbow Sharks: Tank Setup, Behavior, and Maintenance Guide on …display more of the recent discussions
  3. ja at Comprehensive Guide to Clown Loach Care: Habitat, Diet, Behavior & Health on
  4. ja at Comprehensive Guide to White Cloud Mountain Minnow Care: Habitat, Diet, and Breeding on
  5. ja at A Comprehensive Guide to Aquarium Air Stones: Usage, Suppliers, and Product Images on
  6. ja at Comprehensive Guide to Caring for and Breeding Electric Blue Haps on
  7. ja at Complete Guide to Growing and Propagating Hygrophila Corymbosa in Aquariums on
  8. PondSealer at Maintainging a garden fish pond tasks on
  9. TheFishWorks at A guide on growing aquarium plants with FAQ, forum and species on
  10. Salviashaman at Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) – Care, Diet, Breeding, and Tank Setup on
Vallisneria contortionist

Vallisneria contortionist

Scientific name: Vallisneria contortionist

Family: Hydrocharitaceae

Usual maximum size in aquariums: 40 - 60 cm (15.75 - 23.62 inch)

014

Recommended pH range for the species: 6.5 - 8

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 18°N (71.43 - 321.43ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 20 - 26 °C (68 - 78.8°F)

Reproduction of the plant: Runners

Origin (in the wild): South Asia

How fast these plants grow: Fast

Recommended substrate: Fine gravel

Demands on lighting: Medium

Ideal placement in a fish tank: Background

Family

Hydrocharitaceae

Common Name

Contortionist Eelgrass

Propagation

Vallisneria contortionist reproduces through runners that grow beneath the substrate, producing new plantlets that gradually form their own root systems. These plantlets can either remain connected to the mother plant or be carefully separated and transplanted to other areas of the aquarium to establish new growth. This vegetative propagation is a highly efficient way for the plant to spread, creating dense clusters over time. To prevent crown rot, it's essential to ensure that the crown - the area where the leaves meet the roots - remains above the substrate. The crown is easily identifiable due to its lighter color compared to the rest of the plant. This propagation method is ideal for aquarists looking to quickly create lush, natural-looking environments.

Difficulty

Easy. Vallisneria contortionist is highly resilient and requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for beginner and experienced aquarists alike. It adapts well to various water parameters and grows quickly with medium lighting, making it a low-maintenance yet visually striking addition to aquariums.

Short Description

Native to South Asia, Vallisneria contortionist, commonly referred to as Contortionist Eelgrass, is a fast-growing aquatic plant that reaches heights of up to 60 cm (23.62 inches). Its defining feature is its curled, ribbon-like leaves, which give the plant a dynamic appearance, making it a popular choice for aquascaping. The twisted leaves provide a soft, flowing effect, ideal for adding height and texture to the background of the aquarium. Unlike many other species of Vallisneria, this plant does not require bright light to thrive. It performs well under medium lighting conditions, which makes it suitable for low-maintenance tanks. However, care should be taken to avoid damaging the leaves, as they are delicate and prone to dying off if fractured. Despite this, Vallisneria contortionist is hardy, and with regular pruning using sharp scissors, the plant can be kept in excellent health. Removing dying leaves at the base also helps maintain its overall vitality.

Maintenance and Care

Vallisneria contortionist thrives in a wide range of water conditions. It prefers a pH range of 6.5 to 8 and tolerates water hardness between 4 - 18°N (71.43 - 321.43 ppm). The ideal temperature for optimal growth is between 20 - 26°C (68 - 78.8°F). This plant grows quickly in fine gravel substrates and requires minimal fertilization, adapting well to various water conditions. The rapid growth of Vallisneria contortionist means that regular pruning is necessary to prevent the plant from overtaking the aquarium. Pruning should be done with sharp scissors to avoid damaging the delicate leaves. It's important to promptly remove any dead or decaying leaves at the base to keep the plant healthy. Additionally, maintaining proper lighting and regular water changes will further support its fast growth and overall health.

Compatibility

Vallisneria contortionist is a versatile plant that integrates well into community tanks, providing excellent shelter and cover for small fish and fry. Its fast growth rate also contributes to improving water quality by absorbing excess nutrients, which helps reduce algae growth. The plant works well in peaceful tanks, but caution should be taken when placing it in aquariums with herbivorous fish that may nibble on its delicate leaves. Due to its adaptability and resilience, it’s suitable for both low-tech tanks and more sophisticated setups that include CO₂ injection and stronger lighting. Whether it’s in a heavily planted tank or a low-maintenance setup, Vallisneria contortionist provides a lush, natural environment that enhances the overall aesthetics of the aquarium.

Submersion and Aquascaping

Fully submersible, Vallisneria contortionist is prized in aquascaping for its graceful, twisted leaves, which create a flowing, natural effect in aquariums. It works particularly well as a background plant, adding height and texture to the aquascape. Its rapid growth allows it to quickly fill in empty spaces, reaching the water surface and contributing to the tank’s vertical layout. In larger tanks, its fast growth provides a lush, jungle-like appearance, perfect for creating a natural and immersive aquascape. Its adaptability to various water conditions and lighting levels makes it suitable for both beginner and experienced aquarists. The plant's unique spiral leaf structure adds movement and contrast, making it a standout feature in any setup.

Did you know?

Please, verify whether your login and password are valid. If you don't have an account here, register one free of charge, please. Click here to close this box.

You have been logged out successfully! This box will close automatically!

Something went wrong during processing your message, please try again!

Your message has been sent, thanks a lot!

Page has been saved, refresh it now, please!

The page has been created, you will now be redirected!

URL already exists!

Path to the photo is not unique!

Really delete this page from the database?

The page has been removed successfully, you will be redirected now!

The page couldn't be deleted!!

Unfortunately this page doesn't allow discussion. Please, find any other page that fits your area of interest as over 99% of our pages allow discussion. The reason why no discussion is allowed here is this page is too general. Thanks a lot for understanding! Click here to search, please!

Really delete this comment from the site?

Really delete this image from the site?

Really delete this image from the site?

Selected comment has been removed successfully!

Selected image has been removed successfully!

Either login or email address is required

Account has been recovered, please check your email for further instructions