Portion: 20 - 25 leaves

Red Root Floaters (Phyllanthus fluitans) is a striking floating aquatic plant known for its vibrant red roots and small, round leaves that range from green to red, depending on the water conditions. This plant forms a dense carpet-like mat on the water’s surface, adding a stunning touch of color and natural beauty to your aquarium. Its rapid growth and floating nature make it an excellent choice for aquariums where natural filtration and shade are desired.

Red Root Floaters are relatively easy to care for, making them perfect for both beginners and experienced aquarists. Beyond their aesthetic value, they provide significant benefits to the aquarium ecosystem by improving water quality and offering shelter and food for small fish and invertebrates. While they grow quickly and may require occasional thinning, they are generally easy to manage.

Key Features:

• Fast-Growing and Vibrant: Red Root Floaters grow quickly, forming dense mats of small, rounded leaves that can range in color from green to a reddish hue, especially in brighter light.
• Floating Plant: This plant floats freely on the water surface, creating a shaded canopy beneath, which can help reduce stress in fish and maintain a stable water temperature.
• Water Quality Improvement: Red Root Floaters absorb excess nutrients like nitrates and phosphates, helping reduce algae growth and improve overall water quality. They act as a natural filter.
• Fish and Invertebrate Shelter: The dense mat of leaves and roots offers excellent hiding places and shade for fish, shrimp, and other small invertebrates. They also provide a natural food source for herbivores.
• Low-Maintenance: With basic care, Red Root Floaters thrive in a variety of water conditions and require minimal maintenance. They are perfect for aquariums of all sizes.

Benefits:

• Water Quality Enhancement: By absorbing excess nutrients from the water, Red Root Floaters help limit algae growth, maintaining a cleaner and more balanced aquarium.
• Oxygenation & Stress Reduction: As a photosynthetic plant, Red Root Floaters produce oxygen, which is beneficial for the health of both plants and fish. The shade they provide can reduce stress for fish, particularly those that prefer lower light levels.
• Natural Food Source: Many herbivorous fish and invertebrates enjoy grazing on the leaves and roots of Red Root Floaters, making them a great food source for certain species.
• Simple Maintenance: While they grow quickly, Red Root Floaters can be easily managed with regular thinning and removal of excess plants to prevent overcrowding and to ensure more light reaches the lower plants.

Care Instructions:

• Lighting: Red Root Floaters thrive in moderate to high lighting, where they will develop vibrant red hues. In low light, they may remain green and grow more slowly.
• Water Conditions: Red Root Floaters prefer slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.0–7.5) and temperatures between 72°F and 82°F (22°C–28°C). They are adaptable to a variety of water conditions but perform best in slightly soft to moderately hard water.
• Substrate: As a floating plant, Red Root Floaters do not require a substrate. They absorb nutrients directly from the water column and grow freely on the surface.
• CO2 & Fertilization: CO2 supplementation is not required, though they may benefit from occasional liquid fertilizers to support their rapid growth. In tanks with many other plants, additional nutrients may be necessary to prevent competition.
• Maintenance: Regular thinning is necessary to prevent the plant from covering the entire surface of the aquarium, which could block light to other plants below. Remove excess plants with a net or by hand to manage their growth.

Applications:

• Freshwater aquariums (especially aquariums with moderate to high lighting)
• Pond aquariums and water gardens
• Shrimp tanks, breeding tanks, and fry tanks
• Natural filtration for aquariums with nutrient buildup
• Floating cover to reduce light or provide shade for aquatic life

Note: Red Root Floaters grow quickly and can cover the surface of the aquarium, so regular maintenance is required to keep them from overwhelming the tank. In smaller tanks, they may need frequent thinning to ensure the rest of the plants receive sufficient light and nutrients.

Red Root Floaters are a visually appealing and highly functional addition to any aquarium. They not only enhance the aesthetics of your tank with their vibrant colors but also improve water quality and provide shelter and food for small aquatic creatures. With easy care and management, they are a wonderful choice for aquariums of all setups.