Tape grass
Vallisneria spiralis
PlantFreshwater
Leaves are linear, bright green, 30–60 cm long, slightly spiraled. The plant spreads via stolons, forming dense colonies. It can flower at the surface with small white flowers. Very hardy and tolerates a wide range of parameters. Leaves can be trimmed without damage. Often used in cichlid tanks.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 20–28 |
| pH | 6.5–8 |
| GH | 5–15 |
| KH | 3–8 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.5 |
Care
Difficulty1/5
Dietphotosynthetic
Min. tank50 L
Min. group1
Adult size60 cm
Lifespan5 ans
Temperamentpeaceful
Care notes
Temperature 20–28°C, pH 6.5–8.0, GH 5–15. Moderate lighting (0.5 W/L) is sufficient. A sand or fine gravel substrate works. CO2 addition is not needed. Can become invasive; thin out regularly. Compatible with most fish, including moderate herbivores. Avoid apple snails that may eat young shoots.