Types of Cryptocoryne plants for aquascaping
The Cryptocoryne (Cryptos) is an extended family with many representatives; many have come and gone over time.
I’m thinking of Cryptocoryne affinis, which you don’t see much anymore, Cryptocoryne blasi you don’t see much anymore, and the Cryptocorynes nevelli that used to be found in almost every tank has also become quite rare. Difficult to identify for the layman because it depends on the light and nutritional conditions.
Cryptocoryne is one of the Most Popular Aquarium Plants due to its undemanding nature and variability in species.
The leaves can vary in appearance within their natural habitat. It can be observed in the aquarium when The flower of the plant has unique external features that are used to identify the species.
Cryptocoryne usually comes from the wild and prefers a nutrient-rich, silty, and light substrate; they generally do not place demand, making them the best option for aquariums without CO2 injection and poor lighting.
Most cryptos like to have a little clay at the roots; Although this plant can be lighter or darker depends on the light and nutritional conditions, this plant is characterized by a purple vein.
All cryptos multiply by rhizomes, which can be long or short. Cryptos are sensitive to changes in the water composition, and The trick is to create and maintain a stable group of cryptos.
Cryptocoryne are beautiful plants for a novice or experienced aquarists.
They grow relatively slowly, require little maintenance, and tolerate less light, making them versatile plants!
The Cryptocoryne species occur naturally in the tropical lowland forests of India, New Guinea, and Southeast Asia.
The Cryptocoryne is located in streams and rivers with a slow water flow.
In the rainy season, the Cryptocoryne can also be found on the river banks and in flooding waterholes.
The name ‘Cryptocoryne’ comes from the Greek word ‘crypto,’ which means ‘hidden.’ And ‘coryne’ refers to the inflorescence of this plant, namely a flowering flask with a fleshy spike, also called ‘spadix.’
The Cryptocoryne can be planted both above and below water.
Underwater, this vegetative reproduction happens. Above the water, this can be done through sexual reproduction during the flowering period.
Because the Cryptocoryne can grow above and below water, this plant is not only suitable for the aquarium but can also be placed in a paludarium.
The Cryptocoryne is known for melting away; this mainly occurs with drastic changes in water values.
If you plant this plant in your aquarium for the first time, do not be alarmed when it loses its leaves, It will generally grow back within a month.
If you are going to do a water change to stabilize your water values again, do this gradually to prevent the water values and water temperature from changing too quickly and drastically.
In terms of acidity, hardness, and even the salinity in the aquarium, water can differ per Cryptocoryne.
This is because they come from different areas around the world. Therefore, read carefully whether a species is suitable for your aquarium.
Some Cryptocoryne species are threatened by the disappearance of their natural habitat, while other species have been invading since their introduction in America.
Types of Cryptocoryne:
Cryptocoryne Wendtii “Pink Flamingo”
Striking Cryptocoryne that gives pink flamingo leaves with sufficient light. With adequate nutrition and CO2, this plant is a unique accent in the planting.
The color of the leaves is variable, only propagated in tissue culture. is an extraordinary variety of Cryptocoryne.
If possible, don’t move it once they are planted, Do not make drastic changes to the aquarium. Due to unstable parameters, the aquarium plant will melt and lose all the leaves.
In the acclimatization process, it is ubiquitous that they grow back within about a month if you lose the leaves.
By injecting CO2 and a food substrate into the aquarium, better growth is created. Check the plant regularly to make sure your plant is thriving.
Endemic to the island of Borneo.
Family: Araceae
Height: 4-8cm
light requirement: A lot of light
Temperature: 22 – 28C
Ph: 5-8
Cryptocoryne petchii “Pink”
It is a relatively little-known amphibian plant characterized by the pink shades of the leaves, ideal for creating reflections and contrasts in Aquascaping aquariums, its maintenance is simple, and the requirements are low.
Family: Araceae
Difficulty: Easy
light requirement: normal
Temperature: 18-28C
Ph: 5-7.5
CO2: optional
Origin: India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan
Cryptocoryne usteriana
A large Cryptocoryne that can grow to a height of up to 70 cm. Cryptocoryne usteriana usually grows underwater in rivers on the Philippine island of Guimaras and hard water. It’s grown ideally.
This preference makes this Cryptocoryne suitable for Tanganyika and Malawi Chichliden aquariums.
Family: Araceae
Height: can grow up to 70 cm
light requirement: from low to high light possible
Temperature: 15-28 C
Ph: 6-8
Origin: Asia (Philippines)
cryptocoryne parva
The smallest known Cryptocoryne species originates in Sri Lanka. It has long been known in aquariums, but it has not spread much, mainly due to its prolonged growth.
The dwarf Cryptocoryne is very similar to the plants related to Cryptocoryne x Willisii.
Under similar conditions, it tends to remain smaller than those, but as a submerged non-flowering plant, it isn’t easy to safely distinguish it.
Even under optimal conditions, Cryptocoryne Parva grows very slowly, and it needs a lot of light. CO2 and a nutrient-rich substrate or fertilization by the substrate significantly improves growth and allows the plant to grow to its full potential
to prevent this crypto from developing severe deficiency symptoms, such as chlorosis and holes in the leaves, essential to keep iron and potassium relatively high.
The spread of Cryptocoryne Parva requires only the environmental conditions that we mentioned above and patience. The plant forms side shoots directly on the rosette and suckers, both faster and more efficient if the plant remains underwater.
Cryptocoryne Parva is an ideal close-up plant, especially for small aquariums and nano aquariums. The slow growth makes this plant very easy to maintain.
Family: Araceae
Height: 3-6cm
light requirement: quite a lot of light
Temperature: 22-28C
Hardness : 0 – 30
Ph: 5.5-8
Origin: Sri Lanka
Cryptocoryne balansae
Potted plants are grown above water, and the plants are about 6-10cm, and underwater, the plants grow to more than 20 cm.
This plant originates from rivers and streams Thailand and its neighbors. Planted at the bottom of the aquarium and thus forms large populations, it is also a good attraction if used as a solitary bush in high aquariums.
Cryptocoryne balansae forms dense populations, usually underwater, with band-shaped leaves floating on the stream.
Usually found in limestone rocks, so the water is hard and rich in calcium, it is easy to grow and very flexible.
There are several forms of the Balansae variety, one of the most common, which has leaves about 2 cm wide, the width of the blade can vary from 1.5 to 4 cm.
Cryptocoryne balansae color can be between green and attractive bronze color; A typical feature Is bullous leaves with a hammered appearance.
Family: Araceae
Height: 15-20cm
light requirement: normal
Temperature: 22-28C
Ph: 6-8
Origin: Thailand, Vietnam
Cryptocoryne becketii
Cryptocoryne Beckettii, is a plant with intense colors with shades of green and brown; it is easy to grow well to high levels of CO2 and lighting, although they are unnecessary.
Adapts well to soft and hard water, the light is relatively unimportant, although it grows best under slightly intense light. The brown-green rosettes that form shortly after the plant is placed in the aquarium quickly spread, forming dense clusters.
Nutrient-rich substrates promote growth. The plant responds well to extensive fertilization and CO2 but also grows well enough without these components. It can be grown on moist, nutrient-rich substrates, which are known to bloom.
Family: Araceae
Height: 15 to 20cm
light requirement: normal
Temperature: 20 to 28C.
Ph: 5.5-7.5
Origin: Sri Lanka
Cryptocoryne Lucens
The leaves are elongated – ovoid to narrow – lanceolate, with a uniform medium-green color, without a pattern, resembling Cryptocoryne Parva’s. Still, their leaves are longer in shape and grow larger when growing underwater.
They are distributed in the area around the city of Kandy in the central highlands of Sri Lanka.
The leaf of the bract is rough and somewhat variable in color, often dark purple or reddish-brown.
There is a variety of the hybrid complex C. x Willisii often used by aquarists; it has a thick, dense growth form larger than grassy clumps.
Family: Araceae
Height: 5-15cm
light requirement: normal
Temperature: 22-28C
Ph: 6.5-7.8
Origin: Sri Lanka
Cryptocoryne wendtii green
A green strain Cryptocoryne wendtii, very variable and easy to grow, proven over time.
It is known for aquarists because of its easy adaptation and resistance, and This medium-sized Cryptocoryne is as simple as its closest relatives to Cryptocoryne Beckettii.
Family: Araceae
Height: 10 to 20 cm
Width: 10 to 20 cm
Solitary: new
light requirement: normal to a lot
Temperature: 22-28
Ph: 5.5-8
Co2: Recommended
plants Origin: Sri Lanka
Cryptocoryne x willisii
In the past, the name “Cryptocoryne Nevillii” was used for both Cryptocoryne Parva and Cryptocoryne Willisii, but in reality, this is the name of a completely different species.
Family: Araceae
Height: 5-15cm
Width: 10-15cm
Solitary: new
light requirement: normal
Temperature: 22-28C
Ph: 6.5-7.2
Origin: Sri Lanka
Cryptocoryne wendtii brown
A brown strain cryptocoryne Wendti is very variable and easy to grow; aquarists know it because of its easy adaptation and resistance.
This medium-sized Cryptocoryne is as simple as its closest relatives Cryptocoryne Wendtii and Cryptocoryne Beckettii.
The plants will eventually become brown underwater, and The plant develops lanceolate leaves brown with a wavy margin. It resembles Cryptocoryne Undulata.
Family Araceae
Height 5-15cm
light requirement normal
Temperature 22-28C
Ph 5.5-7.5
Origin: Sri Lanka
Cryptocoryne nevellii
This Cryptocoryne is an undemanding and proven medium green aquarium plant, which forms a relatively low grass color Verde after some time of growth.
The leaf is more expansive, and it grows much faster than the small Cryptocoryne Parva. Due to its emerging shape, leaves can form on very long stems. Although underwater, they remain much shorter.
Family: Araceae
Height: 10cm
Solitary: new
light requirement: normal
Temperature: 22-28C
Ph: 6-7
Origin: Sri Lanka
Cryptocoryne wendtii ‘Tropica’
A beautiful variety of cryptocoryne appropriates for small fish tanks and a dark hammered leaf named after ‘Tropica.’
When grown in an open location, the leaves will lie almost to the bottom. With leaves of 10-20 cm and a rosette of 10-20 cm wide. Such as most other Sri Lankan Cryptocorynes, it also grows well in hard water.
Family: Araceae
Height: 10-15cm
light requirement: normal to little
Temperature: 22-28 C
Ph: 5.5 – 8.0
Cryptocoryne Petchii “pink”
Easy to maintain, It is easy to grow and use in the aquarium hobby for a long time. A variant of Cryptocoryne Beckettii develops lanceolate submerged leaf with a wavy leaf margin, the upper side of which is brown and the underside red.
It will grow well in soft and hard water, develop optimally in moderate light, grow better under more intense light and adapt well to weak light.
Typical characteristics of a Cryptocoryne Sri Lankan that adapts well to soft and hard water, the light is relatively unimportant.
The brown-green rosettes form after the plant is placed in the aquarium quickly spread, forming dense bushes.
Nutrient-rich substrates promote growth. The plant responds well to extensive fertilization and CO2, but they are not essential requirements.
Family: Araceae
Height: 10-15cm
light requirement: normal
Temperature: 18-28C
Ph: 5-7.5
Origin: India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan
Cryptocoryne Pygmaea
Cryptocoryne Pygmaea is a few water trumpets native to the Philippines; this species is variable, with shapes reaching different sizes.
Cryptocoryne Pygmaea It comes from the indigenous waters of the Philippines (Palawan, Busuanga, and in the western part of Mindanao).
This species is quite variable, with shapes reaching different sizes. Grown underwater, it can get a height of about 25 cm. The submerged body remains significantly smaller.
Cryptocoryne Pygmaea also grows in medium-hard water and is recommended to use Medium lighting and a nutrient-rich background. Like most Cryptocoryne, stolons spread it.
Dificultad: Easy
Family: Araceae
Origin: Asia
Lighting:Medium
growth: Slow
PH: 5.0 – 8.0
hardness: 0 – 30
CO2: Optional
Cryptocoryne Albida “Costata”
Cryptocoryne Costata, from southern Myanmar and Thailand, is a relatively small narrow-leaved plant. It is an easy plant for an aquarium to care for and maintain.
Difficulty: Easy
Family: Araceae
Genus: Cryptocoryne
Origin: Thailand
Lighting: Low
Temperature: 18º – 30º
Growth: Slow
PH: 5.5 – 8.0
Co2: Optional
Cryptocoryne Blassii – Cryptocoryne cordata var. blassii
Place in the aquarium: front and middle zone
Family: Araceae
Height: 7-20 cm
Temperature: 18-28ºC
pH: 4.5 – 7.0
KH: 2-12
CO2: 10-40 mg/l
Light: moderate to high light
origin: Asia (Malaysia, Thailand)
cryptocoryne lingua
Family: Araceae
Height: 8-15cm
light requirement: Normal exposure
Temperature: 18-30 C
Ph: 6.5-7.5
Origin: Indonesia (Borneo)
Cryptocoryne retrospiralis
Family: Apiaceae
Height: 30-40cm
light requirement: normal
Temperature: 20-28C
Ph: 6.5-7.5
Origin: India, Thailand, China
Cryptocoryne ciliate
A hefty cryptocoryne. Suitable for fresh and brackish water aquariums also for paludaria.
Family: Araceae
Height: 20-50cm
light requirement: moderate to much
Temperature: 22-28C
Ph: 6.8-7.8
Origin: from India to New Guinea
Cryptocoryne purpurea
Family: Araceae
Height: 10-15cm
light requirement: moderate to high light
Temperature: 20-30C
Ph: 5-7
Cryptocoryne crispatula var. tonkinensis
Family: Araceae
Height: 20 – 30 cm
light requirement: Normal exposure
Temperature: 18-30 C
Ph: 6.5-7.5
A species that is rarely commercially available.
Origin: Asia
Cryptocoryne moehlmannii
Family: Araceae
Height: 10cm
Width: 15cm
Solitary: new
light requirement: mediocre
Temperature: 22-28C
Ph: 6-7.5
plants Origin: West Sumatra
Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia
Family: Araceae
Height: 5-15cm
Width: 10-15cm
Solitary: new
light requirement: normal
Temperature: 18-28C
Ph: 5.5-8
plants Origin: Malaysia, Sumatra
cryptocoryne costata
Family: Araceae
Height: 10-25cm
light requirement: normal
Temperature: 22-28C
Ph: 6.5-7.5
Origin: Burma, Southern Thailand
Cryptocoryne crisped green
Family: Araceae
Height: 5-15cm
light requirement: normal
Temperature: 22-28C
Ph: 6.8-7.5
Cryptocoryne walkeri Lutea
Difficulty: Easy
Family: Araceae
Genus: Cryptocoryne
Origin: Sri Lanka
Lighting: Low
Temperature: 15º – 30º
Growth: Fast
PH: 5.0 – 8.0
Hardness : 0 – 30
Co2: Recommended
Cryptocoryne Wendtii Red
Difficulty: Easy
Family: Araceae
Genus: Cryptocoryne
Origin: Sri Lanka
Lighting: Low
Temperature: 15º – 30º
Growth: Fast
PH: 5.0 – 8.0
Co2: Recommended
Cryptocoryne Bullosa
Difficulty: Easy
Family: Araceae
Genus: Cryptocoryne
Origin: Sri Lanka
Lighting: Low
Temperature: 20º – 30º
Growth: Fast
PH: 5.5 – 8.0
Co2: Recommended
Cryptocoryne Lutea
Difficulty: Easy
Family: Araceae
Genus: Cryptocoryne
Origin: Sri Lanka
Lighting: Low
Temperature: 15º – 30º
Growth: Fast
PH: 5.0 – 8.0
Hardness : 0 – 30
Co2: Recommended
Other Types of Cryptocoryne (cryptos)
Cryptocoryne “Bastmeijeri”
Cryptocoryne “Fusca”
Cryptocoryne “Ferruginae”
Cryptocoryne “Striolata”
Cryptocoryne “Nakamotoi”
Cryptocoryne wendtii “Florida Sunset”
Cryptocoryne Undulata
Cryptocoryne wendtii “Green Gecko”
Cryptocoryne “Rubella”
Cryptocoryne Usteriana
Cryptocoryne Pontederifolia
Cryptocoryne Regina “Silver Queen”
Cryptocoryne bullosa
Cryptocoryne Hudoroic
Cryptocoryne Ideii
Cryptocoryne “Aura”
