Aponogeton capuronii (Aponogeton capuronii) care guide

Group
Plants
Family
Aponogetonaceae (cape-pondweed family)
Origin
South-eastern Madagascar
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
24–28°C
pH
5.5–6.5
Hardness
Very soft: 0–4 dGH (estimate)
Care level
expert
Lighting
Low to medium light (grown in shade); CO2 helpful
Flow
Moderate to strong flow

Care

Aponogeton capuronii comes from fast rivers in south-eastern Madagascar. Wild plants were found at 20–30 cm depth in warm (about 27 °C), very soft, slightly acidic water (pH about 6) over sand and gravel with clay. Its slightly leathery, dark olive-green leaves are 20–40 cm long, flat or strongly hammered and wavy. It is named after the botanist René Capuron. Wikipedia calls it decorative but poorly suited to aquariums, with few successes; one plant grew for over 20 years at Munich Botanical Garden in soft, slightly acidic water in shade. It is said not to need a rest period. Temperature and pH here follow the wild measurements in Wikipedia; hardness is our estimate. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aponogetoncapuronii); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Rarely achieved; by seed or rhizome division.

Compatibility and tank mates

Snails and plant-eating fish (goldfish, large cichlids, silver dollars) may damage the soft leaves. Best with peaceful tropical community fish that do not dig up the bulb.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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