Vallisneria Americana
Vallisneria americana
Also known as American Eelgrass, American Val
Plantae›Tracheophyta›Magnoliopsida›Alismatales›Hydrocharitaceae
📍 North America
A tall, ribbon-leaved background plant that spreads aggressively by runners to create natural-looking grass beds. Leaves can reach 50–100 cm (19.7–39.4 in), making it ideal for very tall tanks or ponds. Very adaptable and grows without CO2 injection in moderate to hard water. An excellent fish habitat plant that oxygenates the water actively.
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by @karleenmendoza
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Tanks keeping this 🌿
Growing in 8 tanks5 public tanks growing Vallisneria Americana, shown below. 3 more are kept privately and not listed.
Compatible Livestock
See all 5 →Peaceful algae grazers that won't damage plant leaves and benefit from the shelter provided
Small, peaceful schooling fish that thrive in planted tanks and won't uproot or consume plants
Complementary foreground plant that pairs well with tall background Vallisneria
Algae-eating shrimp that maintain plant health without consuming healthy leaves
Peaceful dwarf cichlid that appreciates dense plant cover for security
Common Diseases
Nutrient Deficiency
Yellowing leaves, stunted growth, transparent or pale coloration, particularly in older leaves
Increase fertilizer dosing with all-in-one liquid fertilizers or add root tabs; ensure adequate macro and micronutrient levels
Algae Overgrowth on Leaves
Green, brown, or black algae coating leaf surfaces, reduced photosynthesis, plant decline
Reduce light duration to 8-10 hours daily, increase water changes, add algae-eating fish like Otocinclus or Siamese Algae Eater
Melting (Leaf Decay)
Leaves becoming translucent, mushy, or dissolving; typically occurs after major water parameter changes
Maintain stable water parameters (pH 6.5-8.5, temperature 15-30°C), perform gradual acclimation, ensure adequate water circulation
Root Rot
Blackened or mushy roots, poor growth, plant detachment from substrate, foul odor from substrate
Improve substrate aeration, reduce organic debris buildup, perform partial water changes, consider adding root tabs with beneficial bacteria
Tips from the community 💡
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Quick Facts
- co2
- Not required
- light
- Low–High
- placement
- Background
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum, tall tank preferred
- growth rate
- Fast
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5–8.5
- hardness
- 5–20 dGH
- temperature
- 59–86°F (15–30°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.