Needle Hairgrass

Eleocharis acicularis

Plantae›Tracheophyta›Magnoliopsida›Cyperaceae

📍 Worldwide

Eleocharis Acicularis, Needle Hairgrass, produces extremely fine, hair-like leaves that are noticeably thinner and longer than the closely related E. parvula, creating a delicate, windswept grass carpet effect. It requires good light and CO2 to spread vigorously via runners; without injection it grows slowly and sparsely. Regular trimming keeps the carpet dense and lush.

Tank Mates

Otocinclus

Grazes on algae without damaging delicate hairgrass leaves; helps maintain carpet cleanliness

excellent

Red Cherry Shrimp

Small, gentle shrimp that forages in carpet without uprooting plants; adds bioload for plant nutrition

excellent

Emerald Dwarf Rasbora

Peaceful schooling fish that inhabits mid-water; won't disturb carpet substrate

good

Dwarf Hairgrass

Complementary foreground plant; similar care requirements and creates layered carpet texture

excellent

Amano Shrimp

Larger shrimp that efficiently removes algae without damaging fine hairgrass leaves

excellent

German Blue Ram

May uproot plants while foraging in substrate; requires careful observation and adequate plant density

caution

Common Diseases

Algae Overgrowth (Green Spot, Black Beard)

Symptoms

Green or black algae coating leaf surfaces; reduced light penetration; stunted growth

Treatment

Increase water changes, reduce photoperiod to 6-8 hours, boost CO2 injection, add algae-eating fish (Otocinclus, Amano Shrimp), manually remove affected leaves

Nutrient Deficiency (Iron, Macronutrients)

Symptoms

Yellowing or pale leaves; slow growth; thin, weak shoots; poor carpet density

Treatment

Dose liquid all-in-one fertilizer or macronutrient supplements weekly; increase light intensity and CO2 injection; perform 25-30% water changes weekly to reset nutrient levels

Melting (Leaf Decay)

Symptoms

Leaves become translucent, mushy, or dissolve; rapid deterioration of new growth

Treatment

Improve water circulation with gentle flow; increase CO2 injection; ensure substrate is nutrient-rich; reduce photoperiod temporarily; perform 50% water change and check parameters (pH, hardness)

Poor Carpeting (Sparse Growth)

Symptoms

Runners fail to spread; gaps in carpet; thin, elongated shoots reaching upward

Treatment

Inject CO2 (essential for vigorous growth); increase light to 120-180 PAR; ensure fine-grain aquasoil substrate; dose macronutrients weekly; trim regularly to encourage lateral runner development