Cryptocoryne Costata
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Common Names: Costata Crypt, Narrow-leaved Crypt
Scientific Name: Cryptocoryne costata (syn. Cryptocoryne albida)
Cryptocoryne costata is a charming aquatic plant known for its slender, lanceolate leaves that can exhibit a range of colors from bright green to brownish-orange under varying light conditions. Native to southern Myanmar and Thailand, it thrives in various freshwater environments, making it suitable for aquariums, paludariums, ripariums, and vivariums.
- Quick Guide
- Essentials
- Features
- Care
Quick Guide
- Growth Environment: Submerged, Emersed, Aquarium, Paludarium, Riparium, Vivarium
- Care Level: Easy
- Light Requirements: Low to Moderate Light
- CO₂ Requirements: CO₂ Optional
- Placement: Foreground, Midground
- Growth Characteristics: Slow-Growing, Rosette
- Water Parameters: Slightly Acidic to Neutral Water, pH 6.0–7.5
- Special Features: Narrow Leaves, Color Variability
- Country of Origin: Southern Myanmar and Thailand
Essentials
- Light: Low to moderate; adaptable to a range of lighting conditions, but higher light intensities can induce brownish-orange hues.
- Water: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral water with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Thrives submerged and adapts to emersed setups.
- Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C).
- Soil: Grows well in nutrient-rich substrates; a fine-gravel or sandy substrate is ideal for its root system.
- Placement: Ideal for the foreground to midground in aquascapes, providing texture and contrast with its narrow, elongated leaves.
Features
- Size: Typically grows up to 4–10 inches (10–25 cm) tall, depending on conditions.
- Rate: Slow-growing; minimal maintenance required.
- Foliage: Slender, lanceolate leaves that can vary in color from bright green to brownish-orange, especially under higher light intensities.
- Flowering: Produces small, inconspicuous spathes when grown emersed, particularly in ripariums or vivariums.
Care
- Fertilizer: Benefits from regular fertilization; root tabs are effective due to its heavy root-feeding nature. CO₂ supplementation is optional but can enhance growth.
- Pruning/Propagation: Minimal pruning needed; remove dead or decaying leaves to maintain appearance. Propagates through runners that develop new plantlets; these can be left to form a dense carpet or separated and replanted.
- Special Tips: Avoid sudden changes in water parameters to prevent "crypt melt," a condition where leaves deteriorate. Once acclimated, it is a hardy plant that can tolerate a range of conditions.
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