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Curly Waterweed
Lagarosiphon major
Hydrocharitaceae
📍 Native to southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho); invasive in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and parts of North America
Lagarosiphon major is a vigorous, submerged oxygenating plant featuring long, spirally recurved dark green leaves densely arranged along brittle, branching stems, giving it a distinctive curly, bottle-brush appearance. In aquascapes it is used as a fast-growing background or mid-tank oxygenator, particularly suited to cold-water and temperate setups. WARNING: This species is a highly invasive aquatic weed banned in several countries — it must never be released into natural waterways, ponds, or the wild, as it can devastate native aquatic ecosystems.
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Compatible Livestock
Shares cool-water temperature requirements; uses dense stems as shelter and spawning cover
Thrives in similar cool-water conditions; may occasionally nibble soft leaves but rarely causes serious damage
Large snail populations may graze on leaves; moderate numbers are generally tolerated by the fast-growing plant
Common Diseases
Stem Rot
Soft, brown, mushy sections along the stem, often starting at the base or where stems are buried too deeply
Remove affected sections, trim to healthy tissue, replant cuttings in well-oxygenated water, and improve water circulation
Algae Overgrowth (Hair/Thread Algae)
Fine green threads tangling around leaves and stems, reducing light penetration and smothering growth
Manually remove algae, reduce photoperiod, ensure adequate water flow, and introduce algae-grazing species such as Amano shrimp if temperature permits
Nutrient Deficiency (Iron/Micronutrients)
Yellowing or pale new growth, stunted shoot tips, loss of deep green coloration
Dose a balanced liquid micronutrient fertiliser with iron; ensure adequate lighting to support uptake
Excessive Fragmentation
Brittle stems breaking apart easily, scattering fragments throughout the tank
Handle plants gently during maintenance, use fine-mesh nets when performing water changes, and remove all fragments promptly to prevent uncontrolled spread within the aquarium
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Quick Facts
- co2
- Not required
- light
- Medium to High (30-60+ PAR); tolerates lower light but growth slows significantly
- placement
- Background to midground; grown rooted in substrate or left floating as a loose oxygenator
- substrate
- Adaptable; grows in gravel, sand, or plain substrate — nutrients absorbed primarily through the water column
- growth rate
- Fast
- propagation
- Stem cuttings; simply cut and replant or float — even small fragments can root and establish new plants
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5-8.5
- hardness
- 5-20 dGH
- temperature
- 41–72°F (5–22°C)
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.