Hemianthus callitrichoides

The start looked promising and I thought I might actually grow a carpet.
Its still alive, but its not very compact, and growing slightly upward. Again a light issue?

I will defiantly try it again, but this time growing it on wood or sponge first.

Family Scrophulariaceae
Continent South America
Country of origin Cuba
Height 5-3 cm
Width 3-10+ cm
Light requirements low-very high
Temperature 18-28 °C
Hardness tolerance very soft-hard
pH tolerance 5-7,5
Growth medium
Demands medium

Hemianthus callitrichoides is one of the smallest aquarium plants in the world, and creeps over the bottom with millimetre-sized round leaves. If planted in small clumps a few centimetres apart, it will spread rapidly and cover the bottom like a carpet. Hemianthus callitrichoides is an attractive foreground plant for small aquariums, and makes few demands. Found on Cuba west of Havana.

Bought at: Intratuin.
Brand: Aquafleur
Price €: 2,16

Glossostigma elatinoides

This plant doesn’t really work in my cube. Half of it died, the other half looks fine, but grows upwards, and doesn’t really look like one plant. Just little stems and strains here and there. It recieves all the light I can give it. I think it will eventually have to be replaced with something else.

“Grows to a height of 2 to 3 cm (FOREGROUND)
The width of each plant is about 3,5 cm, based on leaf growth
Medium high to very high lighting (2.5 - 3.5 watts/gal)
Optimum growth temperature is 22 to 29 degrees

Glossostigma elatinoides is much in demand in Japanese-inspired aquariums. It is one of the smallest aquarium plants, and thus a good foreground plant. A difficult plant demanding a lot of light. Grows upwards if light is poor. Make sure larger plants do not overshadow it. When planting in the aquarium small clumps (approx. 1/8 pot) should be placed at intervals of a few centimetres to help the plants grow together more quickly. CO2 addition and soft water promote growth significantly. (Excerpt From Tropica)

Glossostigma elatinoides is a medium difficulty stem plant that will thrive in aquariums with adequate lighting and not too hard water. The plant typically grows to a height of only 1.2 inches.The width of each leaf is about 1.2 inches, based on leaf growth.The leaf is petiolate.

In order to achieve strong shoots the substrate should be nutrient rich and light intensity high. Specimens should be planted individually spaced apart and will then grow in. while it may be painstaking to plant them individually, it is well worth the effort. Optimum growth temperature is 72 to 79 degrees, although it can grow in temps from 59 to 79 degrees.

Glossostigma elatinoides requires medium high to high lighting (2.5 - 3.5 watts/gal) to do well. If kept in low-light tanks, this aquarium plant has a tendency to wither away. Separate each stem and plant individually. This will result in better growth and help Glossostigma elatinoides to spread.

Don's Notes:

My experience with Glossostigma elatinoides is that it grows better with iron nutrients in the substrate. I have floated little pieces of stem on the surface and had them continue to grow and then planted them in the substrate. Glossostigma elatinoides only requires sufficient fertilizers and an adequate source of the gas CO2 (carbon dioxide), or a good liquid carbon substitute like Excel or Natural Aquarium Vital. It also likes water that is not too hard. The leaves are a beautiful shade of bright green, making it an excellent foreground plant for higher light aquariums. In lower light the plant tends to grow upward as if to reach the light, and eventually withers away.

This aquarium plant comes from New Zealand, Australia, and Tasmania.”

Don Matakis is the Aquatic Grower & Senior Aquaculturist for freshwateraquariumplants.com

Bought at: Intratuin.
Brand: Aquafleur
Price €: 2,16

Echinodorus Uruguyanensis africanus

Another plant I’m not sure of, but i think it’s an Echinodorus Uruguyanensis africanus.

Al leaves where flat when I got it, now alot are abot wrinkly, I added some fertilizer, but that didn't help. It looks healthy, I just thought it might be missing something.


Family Alismataceae
Continent South America
Region South America
Country of origin South America
Height 20-55+ cm
Width 10-30 cm
Light requirements medium-very high
Temperature 15-26 °C
Hardness tolerance soft-hard
pH tolerance 5-8
Growth medium
Demands easy

Echinodorus uruguayensis has long, narrow, transparent, dark-green leaves, making it a very beautiful solitary plant for large aquariums. The leaf length and width vary considerably. In good growing conditions it forms an unusual number of leaves, and a nutritious bottom and CO2 addition and slightly acidic water promote growth. A number of species formerly regarded as distinct are now included under the name E. Uruguayensis

Bought at: Intratuin.
Brand: Aquafleur
Price €: 2,16

Ophiopogon japonica

After I planted this plant I immediately liked it. After doing some research on it, I found out it’s not really an aquatic plant, and will probably have to be replaced within a few months to a year.
I hate it when they do that, the plants are cheaper at the local garden centre, but you’re never quite sure what you are getting.

I’ll just see how it works out first before replacing it.
Until now it seems to do fine. It was troubled by some green algae first, but the Oto’s and shrimp took care of that.

“A terrarium plant sometimes used in aquariums and goldfish bowls. Can be used as a decorative plant, but only lasts a few months. The good balance of an aquarium is disturbed if there are too many of these plants."

Not eaten by herbivorous fish.

Family Liliaceae
Region Asia
Land Japan
Height 10-30 cm
Width 15-25 cm
Light medium-very high
Temperature 15-26 C
Hardness soft-hard
pH 6-8 pH
speed of growth slow
Demands medium

source: www.aquaticcommunity.com

Bought at: Intratuin.
Brand: Aquafleur
Price €: 2,16

Hydrocotyle leucocephala “Pennyworth”

Another plant that has previously fallen victim to the clown botias’, and I’m giving another shot here.
So far it’s doing fine, although it’s stealing light from all other plants, including itself, the small leaves at the bottom don’t really get a chance to grow. Even some large ones have turned yellow and fall off.
When the wood goes back in I must see if I can find another place for it.

Common Name: Pennywort, Brazilian Water Ivy
Native to: Southern Mexico to Northern Argentina
Height: 10 to 20 cm (up to 24 in)
Width: 5 to 15 inches, based on leaf growth
Growth Rate: Fast
Placement: Mid to Background
Lighting Needs: Low to high lighting (1.5 - 4 watts/gal)
Temperature: 20 to 28 degrees
Hardness: Does best in nutrient rich water, loves nitrogen
Difficulty: Easy

“Hydrocotyle leucocephala is an easy to grow stem plant that will thrive in all aquariums. Because it does not need to be rooted it can be used as a floating plant, providing a hiding place for young fry. It has been used as an herb in the tropics.
The plant typically grows to a height of 4 to 8 inches, even taller (24 in.) under high light conditions which has been my experience. The width of each stem is about 2 to 6 inches, based on leaf growth. The leaf is roundish to reniform and alternating.

This plant does well in all water hardness conditions and most lighting situations. Optimum growth temperature is 68 to 82.4 degrees, although it can grow in temps from 41 to 86 degrees. Hydrocotyle leucocephala requires low to high lighting (1.5 - 4 watts/gal) to do well. If kept in low-light tanks growth is slower. Plant either in the substrate or as a floating plant.
Don's Notes: My experience with this aquarium plant is that Hydrocotyle leucocephala is actually very easy to grow and is my personal favorite of all aquarium plants. This is a very tropical and exotic looking plant with a beautiful shade of green. Hydrocotyle leucocephala does better with a nutrient rich water column and loves nitrogen. If nutrients are low, growth seems to stall and leaves become smaller. Aquarists with a bit harder water might find that this plant grows very fast. For those with very soft water growth is not as rapid, although fine specimens can be grown. A beautiful addition to any aquascape! Hydrocotyle leucocephala is found in Southern Mexico to Northern Argentina. “

Don Matakis is the Aquatic Grower & Senior Aquaculturist for freshwateraquariumplants.com

Bought at: Intratuin.
Brand: Aquafleur
Price €: 2,16

Alternanthera reineckii ''roseafolia''

I bought this plant for my larger tank a few times, but it always got demonische, first by the clow botias, and now by the plecos I keep. (peckoltia vittata)

So I’m giving in one last shot here. Untill now it seems to be doing fine, it’s growing too high, I’ll have to do some pruning soon.

I’m not entirely sure the plant I have acutely is this Roseafolia, but it looks very similar to me

Family: Amaranthaceae
Common Name: Magenta Water Hedge
Native to: South American Amazon region
Height: 25-50 cm
Width: 10-15 cm, based on leaf growth
Growth Rate: Slow
Placement: Mid to Background
Lighting Needs: Moderate to high (2-4 watts)
Temperature: 17-28 °C
Hardness: Does best in soft, slightly acidic water
Hardness tolerance: soft-hard
pH tolerance: 5-8
Growth: medium
Difficulty: Relatively easy

“The purple colour underneath Alternanthera reineckii ''roseafolia'' leaves provides an effective contrast to the many green aquarium plants in an aquarium - particularly when planted in groups. Good light encourages the leaves to turn red. Most Alternanthera species are difficult to grow, but this one is relatively undemanding. Easy to propagate by nipping off the terminal bud and planting it in the bottom. This also makes the mother plant more bushy, because more side shoots are formed.
Alternanthera reineckii is an easy to grow stem plant that will thrive in most aquariums. The plant typically grows to a height of 10 to 20 inches, even taller under high light conditions. The width of each stem is about 4 to 6 inches, based on leaf growth.The leaf is oblong-elliptic to ovoid.

In order to achieve strong shoots the substrate should be nutrient rich and light intensity high. Three to five strong specimens can be used for the background area to help accent the shades of green aquarium plants. Alternanthera reineckii can grow well in both hard and soft water although soft, slightly acidic water is best. Optimum growth temperature is 75 to 80.6 degrees, although it can grow in temps from 71.6 to 82.4 degrees. It can withstand temps from 39.2 to 84 degrees.

Alternanthera reineckii requires moderate to high lighting (2 - 4 watts/gal) to do well. If kept in low-light tanks the lower leaves tend to fall off. Separate each stem and plant individually. This will result in better growth and the lower leaves will still receive some light as the this aquarium plant grows taller.

Don's Personal Notes: My experience with this aquarium plant is that Alternanthera reineckii is very easy to grow and quite strikingly beautiful when it has enough light. I have floated little pieces of stem on the surface and had them continue to grow and then planted them in the substrate. Alternanthera reineckii only requires sufficient fertilizers and an adequate source of the gas CO2 (carbon dioxide), and you are ahead of the game if you use Laterite or substrate nutrient balls or tablets in your aquarium. The leaves tend to grow in an upward fashion which really shows off the deep, beautiful red color! This aquarium plant is a cultivar of the original Alternanthera reineckii which comes from the South American Amazon region, and the easiest to grow of all the varieties.”

Don Matakis is the Aquatic Grower & Senior Aquaculturist for freshwateraquariumplants.com.

Bought at: Intratuin.
Brand: Aquafleur
Price €: 2,16

Otocinclus macrospilus

Two days ago, I introduced two Otocinclus to my cube. (I think they are O. Macrospilus)
They came in the same bag as the shrimp, and I had the bag acclimatise for only 15 minutes since it was a hot day.
And I always feel that sitting in a bag floating in a tank causes alot of stress.

Especially in a community tank, with the other residents looking and picking at the bag.

I like to give them a chance to hide in the plants as soon as possible.

But Allot of times they are so much in shock they just lay in front of the window.


Same here. One of them didn’t seem to have much of a problem, and sucked itself to the window and stayed there for about 15 minutes. The smaller one looked more in shock, and just lay on the ground, in close proximity to the other one, breathing heavily.

I left them a Wels chip, in addition to the brown algae in my tank, to make sure they had enough to eat.

Next morning I found my tank as clean as can be. All brown algae disappeared, just a little bit on the ophiopogon, but this they cleaned out the rest of the day.

The wells chip did get moved, but looked otherwise pretty untouched. I learned the other day that the shrimp like to move them, but don’t eat much of it.
The Otos both have a slightly rounded belly, so I’m not sure if they don’t eat the chip because they have plenty of other stuff to eat, or if they don’t recognize it as food.

I will try flakes, and plecomin in the next week.

I really like them, they sure live up to their reputation.
The larger one might be a female, I named him/her Max, the smaller one is called Moritz.

Species Information (found on planetcatfish.com):

Scientific Name	Otocinclus macrospilus Eigenmann & Allen, 1942 - add this species to your "My Cats" page.
Common Name(s)	Dwarf Sucker, Oto
Type Locality	Río Morona, Upper Amazon, Dpto Loreto, Peru.
Pronunciation	auto SINK luss - MAK ro spill us
Etymology	Greek, ous, oto = ear + Latin, cinclus = latticework; in allusion to the holes of the head in the ears
Species Information
Size	34mm (1.3") SL Show near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Similar in overall colouration to O. vestitus. The caudal fin marking is key to separating this species of Otocinclus from the others.
Sexing	Females are larger and broader especially when viewed from above.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Upper Amazon Basin of Colombia, Ecuador & Peru Amazon, Upper Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there)
pH	5.5 - 7.5
Temperature	21.0-26.0°C or 69.8-78.8°F (Show others)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Initially algae, add a shoal to an ''algaefied'' tank and then supplement diet with sinking tablets and the usual cucumbers / lettuce or courgette (zucchini).
Furniture	Large leafed plants and vertical flat rock surfaces (especially slate). Not essential, but likes bogwood and a large rounded substrate. Live plants seem essential to the long term survival of this fish.
Compatibility	Peaceful.
Suggested Tankmates	Keep in groups (preferably at least six) with any small to mid-sized community fish.
Breeding	See Shane's World Article

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=105