Cryptocoryne ciliata (Cryptocoryne ciliata) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Fringed water trumpet
Family
Araceae (arum family)
Origin
India, Bangladesh, Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea and the Philippines
Water
brackish
Temperature
22–30°C
pH
7–8.5
Hardness
10–25 dGH
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium to bright light; CO2 helpful

Care

Cryptocoryne ciliata is one of the most widespread crypts, found from India to New Guinea. It is unusual in tolerating salt and semi-brackish water, growing in tidal river mouths and mangrove areas, so it suits low-salinity brackish tanks as well as hard freshwater ones. The spathe has a fringed (ciliate) edge, which gives the plant its name. It is a large crypt for the background, with fairly upright, pale to mid-green leaves. Our sources give no detailed aquarium figures. Like other crypts it grows as a rosette from a creeping rhizome, rooted in a fine, nutrient-rich substrate in the foreground or midground. Crypts dislike being moved and often "melt" (drop their leaves) after planting or after sudden changes in water; leave the rhizome in place and it usually regrows within about a month. Species from soft-water peat swamps are generally harder to keep than those from limestone streams, which tolerate harder water. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocoryne); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Besides runners, this species forms small offshoots in the leaf axils that break away and float to new places.

Compatibility and tank mates

Crypt leaves are fairly tough and are usually left alone by fish, shrimp and snails. Large digging cichlids and goldfish may uproot young plants. Tropical tanks only; a rare crypt suited to low-salinity brackish set-ups, e.g. with mollies or other brackish-tolerant fish.

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

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