Cryptocoryne ciliata

Scientific name: Cryptocoryne ciliata

Family: Araceae

Usual maximum size in aquariums: 40 - 50 cm (15.75 - 19.69 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.8 - 7.8

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

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 23 - 28 °C (73.4 - 82.4°F)

Reproduction of the plant: Runners

Origin (in the wild): East Asia

How fast these plants grow: Slow

Recommended substrate: Fine gravel

Demands on lighting: Bright

Ideal placement in a fish tank: Middle

Family

Araceae

Origin

East Asia; they are found from Western India to Eastern New Guinea

Planting Area

Midground to Background

Propagation

This plant will propagate itself by sending out runners from the mother plant. After a while, miniature plants will appear on the runners and these will soon develop roots. At this stage, the runner can be separated from the mother plant and the individual plants can be removed from the runner. They can now be placed in different placements in the aquarium.

Difficulty

Medium

Short Description

There are actually two varieties of this plant, Cryptocoryne ciliata var.latifolia and Cryptocoryne ciliata var.ciliata, the latter tends to have a better growth rate and will end up being a larger plant when mature. Like all of the Cryptocoryne species, they do not like being moved once settled into the aquarium and doing this can bring about the infamous “Crypt melt”. The do take a while to establish when first planted but when they have been in the tank for a few weeks they will grow happily.