Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia

Scientific name: Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia

Family: Araceae

Usual maximum size in aquariums: 20 - 35 cm (7.87 - 13.78 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6 - 7.2

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

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 22 - 28 °C (71.6 - 82.4°F)

Reproduction of the plant: Runners

Origin (in the wild): Oceania

How fast these plants grow: Slow

Recommended substrate: Fine gravel

Demands on lighting: Medium

Ideal placement in a fish tank: Middle

Origin

These plants are only found in Sumatra.

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

Easy

Short Description

This plant is found in pools and slow moving water ways that have varying hardness levels and different levels of pH, this gives it the advantage of being tolerant to a wide range of water parameters in the aquarium. It displays green leaves on the upper side but underneath they display a beautiful red colouration. They do require plenty of nutrients in the water and older leaves on the plant are prone to being covered in green algae due to their slow growing. It takes a while to acclimatise into the aquarium and it is prone to “Crypt melt” during this time but once established it is easy to grow.

This species of plant is ideal for new keepers that are setting up their aquariums for the first time with aquatic plants as it is very adaptable to a wide range of water conditions and is classed as a hardy specimen.

Due to the size of the mature plant is should be used as a mid to background plant, in some aquariums it is also used as a specimen plant so the choices are there. Low level cover plants set around its base, make for a good feature in the aquarium and will make this plant stand out!

Low lighting can bring on long and leggy growth so make sure that the lighting levels are bright and the addition of a CO₂ system will ensure a good dense growth.