Flora & Fauna

Cryptocoryne Beckettii is a compact, adaptable crypt producing wavy-edged leaves that range from olive-green on the upper surface to pink-brown or purple on the underside — colouration intensifying under brighter light. It is among the most forgiving crypts, tolerating harder and more alkaline water than most of its relatives. A reliable midground plant for low-tech community tanks.

Cryptocoryne Flamingo is an eye-catching cultivar with pale pink to deep rose-pink leaves that maintain their colour even in moderate light. A relatively recent cultivar, it adds pastel colour contrast rarely seen in aquatic plants. Hardy and slow-growing like other Cryptocorynes, making it easy to use as a focal foreground or midground accent.

Cryptocoryne Lucens is a small, narrow-leaved crypt with plain bright-green foliage, reaching about 10–15 cm in height. It spreads via runners to form a tidy clump over time and is one of the easiest crypts to keep, tolerating a wide range of conditions including harder water. An excellent choice for foreground or midground planting without the demanding care of more ornate crypt species.

Cryptocoryne lutea is a small to medium-sized crypt producing olive-green to brownish-green leaves with a slightly hammered or textured surface. It is one of the most adaptable and forgiving crypt species, tolerating a wide range of water conditions including moderate hardness and near-neutral pH. Reaching 10–20 cm in height, it works well in the foreground or midground of medium to large planted tanks, spreading via runners into tidy clumps.

A small, compact Cryptocoryne with narrow, lance-shaped leaves of uniform mid-green. One of the more underrated compact Crypts, it stays small and spreads slowly via runners to form neat clusters. A good foreground alternative where HC Cuba or Monte Carlo would require CO2.

Cryptocoryne Parva is the smallest crypt species, producing narrow, plain-green leaves that rarely exceed 5–6 cm — making it the only crypt truly suitable for a foreground carpet role. Growth is extremely slow even under good conditions; patience of several months is required before carpeting effect appears. It is also the least prone to 'crypt melt' among its genus.

A compact, manageable Cryptocoryne from Sri Lanka with narrow, lance-shaped leaves that can range from olive-green to brownish depending on conditions. Often confused with C. wendtii but distinguished by its shorter stature and slightly narrower leaves. It is very adaptable and tolerates a wide pH and hardness range, making it one of the best Crypts for beginners. Forms attractive rosettes in the foreground or midground of most tanks.

A medium-sized Cryptocoryne with broad, oval-to-heart-shaped leaves in a uniform bright green. The rounded leaf form is quite different from most Crypts and adds a distinctive look to the midground. Relatively fast-growing for a Crypt and more tolerant of harder water than many species. An underrated choice that pairs beautifully with more colourful plants like AR or Rotala.

A versatile mid-sized Cryptocoryne with lanceolate leaves that have attractively undulated margins. Colouration ranges from olive-green to reddish-brown depending on light intensity and water conditions. It is one of the hardiest Cryptocoryne species, tolerating a wider range of pH and hardness than most.

Cryptocoryne wendtii is a popular, low-maintenance rosette plant available in several colour forms from green to brown-red. It may undergo 'crypt melt' when first planted or after water chemistry changes, but almost always recovers. Once established it is resilient and spreads via runners.

The green form of Cryptocoryne wendtii has smooth, bright green leaves with a subtle hammered texture. It is one of the most adaptable crypts available, tolerating a wide range of light, water, and substrate conditions. An excellent beginner midground plant.

Classic, bulletproof stem plant with whorls of bright green leaves. One of the best beginner plants — grows rapidly without CO2 and tolerates cool water. Also excellent for goldfish and temperate tanks.

Duckweed is the smallest flowering plant and one of the fastest-growing aquatic plants available. It provides effective nutrient export and surface shade while serving as live food for herbivorous fish. It can quickly cover the entire surface if not managed.

Sagittaria subulata is a fast-growing grass-like plant that spreads via runners to form dense meadows. It works as both a carpet in nano tanks and a mid-background plant in larger setups depending on lighting intensity. Very undemanding and adaptable.

Echinodorus Uruguayensis is a large, bold sword plant from South America producing broad, dark-green leaves with a smooth texture and prominent venation, reaching up to 60 cm in height. It is notable for tolerating cooler water than most tropical swords, thriving at temperatures as low as 16 °C. Its imposing size makes it best suited as a specimen background plant in larger aquariums.

Flame Moss gets its name from the way its upright, twisted stems spiral and curve upward — resembling flickering orange flames when viewed in flowing water. Unlike most mosses that grow laterally, Flame Moss grows vertically, making it uniquely suited for mid-height mounding effects on rocks and wood. It is slow growing but compact, rarely requiring trimming, and stays tidy in low-flow areas.

The four-leaf clover aquatic fern produces charming four-lobed leaves that resemble tiny clover on short stalks. It can be grown as a compact foreground carpet in high-light CO2 tanks, or left to grow taller as a decorative mid-ground plant in low-tech setups. A unique texture plant that adds whimsy to any scape.

Baby Tears or Pearl Grass, this cheerful stem plant produces tiny, round, bright green leaves and grows fast even without CO2. Ideal for mid-ground mounds or as a floating plant for shrimp tanks. Often confused with HC Cuba but its leaves are larger and it is far more tolerant of low-tech conditions.

A larger Bacopa species with distinctive clasping (amplexicaul) leaves that wrap around the stem at the base. The blue-violet flowers it produces above the waterline are among the most attractive of any aquarium plant. Submerged leaves are broad and light green, giving it a lush, robust appearance. Grows quickly and is very adaptable — excellent as an emersed pond margin plant or fully submerged background plant.

The tallest commonly kept Eleocharis species, producing stiff, dark green needle-like blades up to 30–50 cm tall. Creates a dramatic, grass-like background that mimics riparian meadows. Unlike dwarf hairgrasses, it does not form a dense carpet but instead grows as individual clumps. Very undemanding and one of the few Eleocharis that thrives without CO₂ injection. Excellent for paludarium setups or tall tanks where vertical structure is desired.

Known as Guppy Grass or Najas Grass, this fast-growing, fine-leaved plant is a superb filtration plant and spawning medium. It floats freely or can be weighted down. Its vigorous growth absorbs excess nutrients, helping combat algae. Very tolerant of a wide range of water conditions.

Marsilea Hirsuta is a low-maintenance carpet plant that produces small, clover-like leaves on short stems. It spreads via runners to form a lush, medium-height green carpet without requiring CO2 injection — making it one of the easiest carpet plants for low-tech tanks. Leaves grow taller without CO2 but stay compact with it.

Hornwort is one of the most adaptable aquatic plants available, surviving in a wide range of conditions from cold ponds to tropical tanks. It requires no substrate and can float or be anchored. It grows rapidly, absorbing nutrients, and provides excellent cover for fry.

A compact variant of pennywort that produces small, neatly round, bright green leaves on short stems. Unlike the faster-growing H. tripartita, it has a more controlled growth habit and can be used as a delicate foreground or mid-ground filler. It adapts readily to CO2 and non-CO2 tanks alike.

A robust cultivar with unusually wide, wavy-edged leaves that give a bold, architectural presence in the background. The large leaf surface collects bubbles during pearling, making it a favourite for photography. Very easy to grow and tolerant of low-tech conditions.

A variegated cultivar with creamy white, pink, and green patterning on the leaves — the colours intensify under stronger light. A favourite in Dutch and community planted tanks for adding colour without the difficulty of true red plants. Stays compact and bushy with regular trimming.

A narrow-leaved Hygrophila with long, willowy green leaves held in whorls along upright stems. Grows faster than most Hygrophila species and provides a graceful, flowing texture in the background. The fine leaf texture contrasts well with broad-leaved plants like Anubias or Cryptocoryne. Easy to grow in most conditions — one of the few Hygrophilas that maintains its narrow, elegant leaf form even in low tech.

A cultivar of the Temple Plant with shorter internodal spacing, producing a denser, bushier plant than the standard species. Large, bright green leaves are held close to the stem, giving it a robust, architectural look in the midground or background. One of the easiest stem plants to grow — thrives in low-tech tanks and is very forgiving of neglect. A great beginner plant that still looks impressive in mature scapes.

A compact, attractive cultivar of Hygrophila siamensis with narrower, slightly undulated leaves that are bright green on top and pale on the underside. Very hardy and fast growing, it works well as a mid-background filler and helps suppress algae through nutrient uptake. Trims well and stays bushy.

The quintessential beginner stem plant — grows rapidly in almost any conditions without CO2. Under high light the leaves take on a pink hue. Excellent as a background filler or for fishrooms and breeding tanks.

Delicate stem plant with rounded, lobed leaves on long stems. Prefers cool water — one of the best plants for temperate and coldwater aquascapes. Sends floating leaves to the surface when established.

Java fern is one of the most forgiving aquatic plants, thriving under low light without CO2 injection. It must be attached to hardscape rather than planted in substrate, as burying the rhizome will cause it to rot. New plantlets emerge from the edges of mature leaves, making propagation effortless.

Java Fern Narrow Leaf is a cultivar of the standard Java Fern with significantly narrower, lance-shaped leaves that create a finer, more graceful texture in aquascapes. It reaches 20–30 cm in height and works beautifully as a midground plant where a more delicate silhouette is desired. Care is identical to regular Java Fern — attach to hardscape, never bury the rhizome, and it will grow steadily under low to medium light.

Java Fern Windelov is a distinctive cultivar with finely branched, feathery leaf tips that give it a lacy, coral-like appearance unlike any other aquatic plant. Named after Tropica founder Holger Windelov, it is a classic of the hobby. The ornate leaf structure adds exceptional texture to midground hardscape and is particularly striking when highlighted from above. Care is identical to standard Java Fern.

Java moss is an incredibly versatile moss that can be tied to driftwood, rocks, or left free-floating. It provides excellent cover for fry and shrimp and serves as a natural grazing surface. It tolerates a very wide range of conditions and requires no CO2 or specialised fertilisation.

A dwarf, slow-growing variant that stays short and bushy — typically under 15 cm — making it suitable for the midground of small to medium tanks. Leaves are wider and rounder than the standard form. Reliable and low-maintenance.