Vallisneria spiralis (Italian)
Scientific name: Vallisneria spiralis (Italian)
Family: Hydrocharitaceae
Usual maximum size in aquariums: 30 - 55 cm (11.81 - 21.65 inch)
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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.5 - 7.6
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): Europe
How fast these plants grow: Fast
Recommended substrate: Fine gravel
Demands on lighting: Medium
Ideal placement in a fish tank: Background
Common Names
Tape Grass, Eel Grass, Straight Vallisneria
Propagation
These plants will send out runners under the substrate and plantlets will develop from these. After a while the daughter plants will develop their own root system, at this stage they can be separated from the mother plant to grow where they are or they can be transplanted to a different area of the aquarium. When planting these always leave the crown of the plant above the substrate, this is easy to spot as the crown will have a lighter colouration to the rest of the plant.
Difficulty
Easy
Short Description
This is a very undemanding but fast growing species of Vallisneria. In the wild it does produce flower stalks that break away at the water surface and float before germinating. They never produce flower stems in the aquarium and are just propagated by runners. Always make sure that the leaves do not get fractured, as soon as this happens the leaf will die off. Many keepers think that this plant cannot be pruned back, this is not true. As long as the leaves are cut back with sharp scissors they will be o.k. Leaves that are dying off can also be removed by lifting them away at the base.Great addition to the aquarium. Can grow really fast, but acclimatization should be initially supported by fertilization. JBL balls are suitable.This plant can grow in entire aquarium because it helps fish to hide. Small Bristlenose Catfish will use Vallisneria for climbing at the top levels during the feeding time. Vallisneria spiralis is suitable for a South European biotope, or for a North African biotope.