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Needle Hairgrass
Eleocharis acicularis
Also known as Eleocharis Acicularis, Needle Grass, Needle Hair Grass
Plantae›Tracheophyta›Magnoliopsida›Poales›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.
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Tanks keeping this 🌿
Growing in 1 tankCommunity tanks featuring Needle Hairgrass.
Compatible Livestock
Grazes on algae without damaging delicate hairgrass leaves; helps maintain carpet cleanliness
Small, gentle shrimp that forages in carpet without uprooting plants; adds bioload for plant nutrition
Peaceful schooling fish that inhabits mid-water; won't disturb carpet substrate
Complementary foreground plant; similar care requirements and creates layered carpet texture
Larger shrimp that efficiently removes algae without damaging fine hairgrass leaves
May uproot plants while foraging in substrate; requires careful observation and adequate plant density
Common Diseases
Algae Overgrowth (Green Spot, Black Beard)
Green or black algae coating leaf surfaces; reduced light penetration; stunted growth
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)
Yellowing or pale leaves; slow growth; thin, weak shoots; poor carpet density
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)
Leaves become translucent, mushy, or dissolve; rapid deterioration of new growth
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)
Runners fail to spread; gaps in carpet; thin, elongated shoots reaching upward
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
Tips from the community 💡
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Quick Facts
- co2
- Recommended (injected CO2 greatly aids carpeting)
- light
- Medium to high (80–180 PAR)
- placement
- Foreground carpet
- substrate
- Fine-grain nutrient-rich substrate (aquasoil)
- growth rate
- Moderate with CO2
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5–7.5
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2–10 dGH
- temperature
- 64–79°F (18–26°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.