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Hydrilla
Hydrilla verticillata
Hydrocharitaceae
📍 Asia (Southeast and South Asia, including India, Korea, Japan, and Australia); now invasively established across North America, Europe, Africa, and beyond
Hydrilla verticillata is a submerged aquatic plant with slender, branching stems densely covered in small, serrated, whorled leaves typically arranged in groups of 4-8, giving it a feathery, bright green appearance that can serve as a lush background plant in aquariums. It grows rapidly and provides excellent cover for fish and invertebrates, and can help with nutrient export in heavily stocked tanks. WARNING: Hydrilla is one of the world's most aggressive aquatic invasive species — it must never be released into natural waterways, ponds, or any outdoor water body, as even tiny fragments can establish and devastate native ecosystems.
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Compatible Livestock
Small, peaceful fish that appreciate the dense cover Hydrilla provides without damaging the plant
Graze on algae and biofilm on stems without harming the plant; thrive in the shelter it offers
Known plant eaters that will consume and shred Hydrilla leaves quickly
Peaceful livebearers that use the dense stems as fry-hiding habitat; no harm to the plant
Will graze heavily on Hydrilla and uproot stems; only suitable if used as a food supplement in large ponds — but never in outdoor ponds due to invasive risk
Common Diseases
Algae Overgrowth (Hair/Thread Algae)
Fine green or brown filamentous algae coating stems and leaves, reducing light penetration and smothering growth
Reduce photoperiod, improve water circulation, introduce algae-eating invertebrates such as Amano shrimp or Nerite snails, and ensure nutrient balance
Nutrient Deficiency (Iron/Micronutrient)
Yellowing of young leaves (chlorosis), pale or translucent new growth, stunted development
Dose a comprehensive liquid micronutrient fertilizer containing chelated iron; ensure adequate lighting for nutrient uptake
Melting / Stem Rot
Lower stems become soft, brown, and mushy; leaves drop from the base upward, often following a sudden change in water parameters
Remove affected stems immediately, improve water flow around the base of plants, trim healthy tops and replant, and stabilize water parameters gradually
Snail Infestation
Visible grazing damage on leaves, holes or ragged edges, rapid decline in plant density alongside visible pest snail populations
Manual removal, introduce assassin snails (Clea helena) to control pest snail populations, or use a snail trap; avoid chemical treatments in shrimp tanks
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Quick Facts
- co2
- Not required
- light
- Low to High (15-80+ PAR); adapts well to a wide range of intensities, grows fastest under high light
- placement
- Background; grown rooted in substrate or left floating, stems can be trimmed and replanted to maintain density
- substrate
- Adaptable; grows in sand, gravel, or nutrient-rich aquasoil; can also grow unrooted or floating
- growth rate
- Fast
- propagation
- Stem cuttings root readily; also spreads via turions (dormant buds) and rhizome fragments; simply cut and replant stem sections
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0-8.5
- hardness
- 2-20 dGH
- temperature
- 50–86°F (10–30°C)
Legality
Federal noxious weed — illegal to import or move across state lines in the U.S.
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.