Cryptocoryne ciliata (Roxb.) Schott

Water trumpet

Cryptocoryne ciliata is a strong bog plant that is widely spread mostly in the coastal areas of the Asian tropics. There it grows in large groups in the estuaries of rivers and in the transitional areas of fresh to marine water.

Distribution area: from India to Papua New Guinea.

Submitted by: Heiko Bleher

GPS: -6.2355938, 134.4950867

Geographical region: Southeastern Asia
Drainage Basin
River catchment
Water body type: River
Water body name: Unnamed
Water body part
Water body course
Water body: tributary of
Tributary name

Type locality: Celebes, Southeastern Asia
Conservation status/IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)
Listed in CITES: No

Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type: Fresh water
Water color: Clear water
Water transparency: Low
Concentration of sediments: High
Water temperature: 22-26 °C
Water flow/curent: None

Chemical parameters

pH: 6.5-7.5
Conductivity
GH
KH: 2-6 mg/l
Dissolved Oxygen

Phytology

Plant form

Semi-submersed

Plant type

Rosulate

Plant size

30-90 cm

Plant growth rate

Slow

Plant light demand

High

CO2

Aquarium equipment

This species is a semi-emersed plant for open tanks. It also can be used in the background or midground of the aquarium.

Plant care

It is important to have a good fertile bottom. This species is able to change the shape and color of the leaves based on the environmental conditions reproduced in the aquarium. They are very sensitive to sudden changes in kH.

Plant with slow but constant growth. In optimal conditions it grows forming rosettes of 15/20 cm in diameter and with 10/15 leaves and even more. Cryptocoryne ciliata propagates continuously through underground stolons, forming a carpet of seedlings around it.

In optimal environmental conditions it regularly produces emerged flowers shapes as a spadix, supported by a long scape; the spathe has a color of vine.

Water care

It is important to keep the water hardness about 8.0, water temperature in a range of 22-26°C and pH 6.5-7.5.