Downoi, Thai for little star, is a small, compact plant from Asia with stiff, frilly, bright green leaves in star-shaped rosettes. Tropica classes it as a stem plant, though it stays low: about 3–10 cm after two months, reaching about 5–10 cm tall and wide. Use it in the foreground. Planted in groups, it slowly spreads into a thick carpet of little stars over time. A nutrient-rich substrate and good light make it grow faster and produce more side shoots. Tropica rates it medium difficulty, with medium light (about 0.5 W/L) and medium CO2 (about 6–14 mg/L). Without enough CO2 and nutrients it grows slowly and stays small. Tropica does not give water figures. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Side shoots form small roots of their own; cut them off and replant them in the foreground to widen the carpet.
Compatibility and tank mates
Its tough, crinkled leaves are left alone by most fish and shrimp; digging fish may uproot young plants. Suits tropical community and shrimp tanks.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
About Aquatic-Auctions
Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.