Shoal & Stem

Species Catalogue

384 species matching your filters — care guides, community photos, water parameters, and tank-mate compatibility.

plant
intermediate

Cryptocoryne Costata

Cryptocoryne costata

plantfreshwater

Rare Thai crypt with narrow green leaves and prominent midrib. Very compact growth. A sought-after species for crypt collectors.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Crispatula

Cryptocoryne crispatula

plantfreshwater

Long, narrow, ribbon-like leaves that can reach 20+ inches. Creates a grass-like effect. Extremely tolerant of hard water. Very easy.

plant
intermediate

Cryptocoryne Ferruginea

Cryptocoryne ferruginea

plantfreshwater

Borneo crypt with striking reddish-brown colouration and rough leaf texture. Compact grower. Appreciates soft, acidic water.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Flamingo

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Flamingo'

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
intermediate

Cryptocoryne Hudoroi

Cryptocoryne hudoroi

plantfreshwater

Tall crypt with dramatic, heavily bullated (textured) leaves. Slow-growing but creates stunning focal points. From Borneo limestone streams.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Lucens

Cryptocoryne lucens

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Lutea

Cryptocoryne lutea

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Moehlmannii

Cryptocoryne moehlmannii

plantfreshwater

Compact crypt with smooth, spoon-shaped green leaves. Stays small — great for foreground use. Very easy and undemanding.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Nevesii

Cryptocoryne nevesii

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
intermediate

Cryptocoryne Nurii

Cryptocoryne nurii

plantfreshwater

A highly sought-after Cryptocoryne among collectors, prized for its dramatically patterned leaves featuring brown-green to dark olive surfaces with reddish-brown splotches, spots, and a heavily bullate texture. Multiple forms exist — some have narrow leaves, others broader. Slower and more delicate than common Crypts, it rewards patient keepers with unique, jewel-like foliage. Best maintained in stable, soft, slightly acidic water with minimal disturbance.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Parva

Cryptocoryne parva

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Petchii

Cryptocoryne petchii

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
Eeasy

Cryptocoryne Pink Panther

Cryptocoryne wendtii Pink Panther

plantfreshwater

Cryptocoryne wendtii Pink Panther is a stunning mid-sized crypt featuring deep pink to reddish undersides on its leaves with darker green upper surfaces, creating striking two-tone coloration. This variety grows moderately and develops a compact rosette form, making it an excellent choice for mid-ground placement in planted tanks. It is hardy and adaptable, thriving in a wide range of water conditions with minimal special care.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Pontederiifolia

Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
intermediate

Cryptocoryne Pygmaea

Cryptocoryne pygmaea

plantfreshwater

One of the smallest crypts. Narrow grass-like leaves only 2–3 inches tall. Perfect foreground crypt for nano tanks.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Retrospiralis

Cryptocoryne retrospiralis

plantfreshwater

Tall, narrow-leaved crypt with wavy margins. Can grow quite large. Creates a flowing, grass-like background effect. Very undemanding.

plant
intermediate

Cryptocoryne Scurrilis

Cryptocoryne scurrilis

plantfreshwater

Borneo crypt with heavily textured, bullated leaves. Dark green to brown. Unique wrinkled texture sets it apart from other crypts.

plant
intermediate

Cryptocoryne Spiralis

Cryptocoryne spiralis

plantfreshwater

Cryptocoryne Spiralis produces unusually long, slender leaves with a finely serrated or slightly twisted edge, giving it a distinctive spiral character unlike most other crypts. Leaves can reach 30–50 cm, placing it firmly in background territory. It prefers softer, slightly acidic water and benefits from CO2 supplementation to sustain its taller, more demanding growth habit.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Undulata

Cryptocoryne undulata

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
intermediate

Cryptocoryne Usteriana

Cryptocoryne usteriana

plantfreshwater

A large, majestic Cryptocoryne species with broad, heavily bullate (bumpy-textured) leaves in shades of brown-green with reddish undersides. One of the biggest Crypts available, capable of reaching 50–60 cm in ideal conditions. Best suited to large tanks where it serves as a dramatic centrepiece or bold background plant. Slower to establish than smaller species but extremely long-lived and rewarding.

plant
Eeasy

Cryptocoryne Walkeri

Cryptocoryne walkeri

plantfreshwater

Cryptocoryne walkeri is a compact, slow-growing crypt with narrow, lance-shaped green leaves that form dense rosettes. It is one of the smallest Cryptocoryne species, making it ideal for foreground placement in smaller aquariums. This hardy plant is undemanding and tolerates a wide range of water conditions, making it excellent for beginners.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Wendtii

Cryptocoryne wendtii

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
Eeasy

Cryptocoryne Wendtii Bronze

Cryptocoryne wendtii Bronze

plantfreshwater

Cryptocoryne wendtii Bronze is a popular mid-sized stem plant featuring distinctive bronze to reddish-brown foliage that deepens in color under high light and nutrient-rich conditions. This hardy crypt develops attractive, slightly wavy leaves and grows moderately, making it an excellent choice for aquascapers seeking reliable, low-maintenance greenery with warm coloration.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Wendtii Brown

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Brown'

plantfreshwater

Classic brown variant of C. wendtii with bronze-brown ruffled leaves. One of the most popular and beginner-friendly crypts.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green'

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Wendtii Mi Oya

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Mi Oya'

plantfreshwater

Larger C. wendtii variant from the Mi Oya river. Reddish-brown leaves that can reach 8+ inches. Impressive for a background crypt.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Wendtii Red

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Red'

plantfreshwater

Red-brown variant of C. wendtii. Deeper red than the brown form. Hardy and easy — adds warm colour to low-tech planted tanks.

plant
beginner

Cryptocoryne Wendtii Tropica

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Tropica'

plantfreshwater

Dark, hammered-leaf variant of C. wendtii. Very compact growth. Dark olive-bronze leaves with unique puckered texture.

plant
advanced

Cuphea Anagalloidea

Cuphea anagalloidea

plantfreshwater

Rare Brazilian stem plant with tiny round leaves. Pinkish-red under high light. Very slow growing and demanding — a true collector's plant.

plant
intermediate

Cyperus Helferi

Cyperus helferi

plantfreshwater

Cyperus helferi is the only fully aquatic sedge used in aquascaping. Its long, gracefully arching bright green leaves create a unique grass-like texture that moves beautifully in current. It requires CO2 and fertilisation to grow well submerged.

plant
beginner

Dense Waterweed

Egeria densa

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
intermediate

Didiplis Diandra

Didiplis diandra

plantfreshwater

A slender, delicate stem plant with fine, needle-like opposite leaves. Under high light and CO2 it develops vivid orange-red colouring that makes it a stunning accent in Dutch and Nature Aquarium layouts. It is sensitive to low light and nutrient deficiencies, which quickly cause yellowing.

plant
beginner

Duckweed

Lemna minor

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
advanced

Dwarf Baby Tears

Hemianthus callitrichoides

plantfreshwater

The smallest aquarium plant in the world, native to Cuba. Forms a dense bright green carpet highly prized in Nature Aquariums and iwagumi layouts. Requires high light, CO₂ injection, and a nutrient-rich substrate to thrive.

plant
Eeasy

Dwarf Chain Sword

Helanthium tenellum

plantfreshwater

Dwarf Chain Sword is a popular foreground stem plant with delicate, narrow green leaves that form dense carpets in aquariums. It grows relatively quickly and produces runners that spread horizontally, making it ideal for creating lush carpet effects. This plant is undemanding and tolerates a wide range of water conditions, making it excellent for beginners.

plant
intermediate

Dwarf Hairgrass

Eleocharis parvula

plantfreshwater

Dwarf hairgrass forms a lush, grass-like carpet in the foreground of aquascapes. It requires moderate to high light and injected CO2 to spread effectively, otherwise growth is sparse and slow. Regular trimming encourages lateral runners and a denser mat.