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Rotala Macrandra Mini Red
Rotala macrandra Mini Red
Plantae›Tracheophyta›Magnoliopsida›Myrtales›Lythraceae
Rotala Macrandra Mini Red is a compact, high-color variant of the popular stem plant, featuring deep red to burgundy leaves with intricate venation patterns. This cultivar grows slower and stays smaller than standard Rotala macrandra, making it ideal for mid-sized aquascapes. The vibrant red coloration intensifies under high light and with adequate CO2 supplementation.
Where it's from
Native to Assam, East Himalaya and India
At a glance
- CO₂
- required
- Growth
- Slow
- Placement
- midground
- Temp
- 72–82°F
- 22–28°C
- pH
- 6.0-7.0
- GH
- 36–143 ppm
- 2–8 dGH
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.
Compatible livestock
See all 5Non-destructive, helps with algae control on leaves, does not uproot plants
Peaceful schooling fish, small bioload, does not disturb substrate or plants
Algae eater that grazes on leaf surfaces without damaging plant tissue
Gentle dwarf cichlid, minimal plant disturbance, compatible with high-tech setup
Excellent algae control, does not uproot or damage stems
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Common diseases 4Melt / Transition Shock, Iron Deficiency (Chlorosis), Algae Overgrowth on Leaves, Nutrient Deficiency (Macronutrient)
Melt / Transition Shock
Leaves turn translucent, mushy stems, rapid leaf loss after planting or parameter changes
Maintain stable water parameters (pH, temperature, hardness). Ensure consistent high lighting and CO2 levels. Trim affected portions and allow new growth. Be patient; recovery takes 2-4 weeks.
Iron Deficiency (Chlorosis)
New leaves emerge pale yellow or white while veins remain green; older leaves unaffected
Dose comprehensive liquid fertilizer containing chelated iron 2-3 times weekly. Increase CO2 to improve nutrient uptake. Check pH; iron availability decreases above pH 7.5.
Algae Overgrowth on Leaves
Green spot algae, thread algae, or black beard algae coating leaf surfaces; stunted growth
Increase water column nutrient balance (macros and micros). Reduce photoperiod to 8-10 hours. Increase CO2 and flow. Manual removal with soft brush. Add algae-eating fauna (Amano shrimp, Otocinclus).
Nutrient Deficiency (Macronutrient)
Stunted growth, yellowing older leaves, weak stems, poor coloration despite high light
Dose comprehensive all-in-one fertilizer or separate macro (NPK) and micro (trace) fertilizers. Perform 30-50% water changes weekly. Test and maintain nitrogen 10-20 ppm, phosphorus 2-4 ppm, potassium 10-20 ppm.
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and change over time; check with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping or shipping it.
The care information here is written with AI help, so it can contain mistakes. Spot one? Tell us and we'll fix it. Native range: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) (CC BY 4.0).
At a glance
- CO₂
- required
- Growth
- Slow
- Placement
- midground
- Temp
- 72–82°F22–28°C
- pH
- 6.0-7.0
- GH
- 36–143 ppm2–8 dGH
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.
Keepers’ experiences
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