Europe including Britain and Ireland, Turkey, Morocco and Algeria
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
100 cm
Temperature
4–22°C
pH
7–8.5
Hardness
Hard, calcareous water
Care level
expert
Lighting
High light; CO2 helpful
Care
Fen pondweed is a European pondweed of shallow, peaty but alkaline (calcareous) lakes, ponds, ditches and fens fed by groundwater, usually in clear, nutrient-poor water up to about 1 m deep (the maximum size given). It grows from a creeping rhizome. Its broad, thin, see-through leaves have a fine net of veins and are usually reddish to brown; submerged leaves are about 7–17.5 cm long. Wikipedia says it is not in cultivation and is not easy to grow, probably needing a deep, peaty, alkaline substrate. It has declined in Britain through drainage and nutrient pollution and is threatened in several countries, so never collect it from the wild. It is a temperate plant for coldwater set-ups and does poorly in heated tanks. The pH and hardness range reflect its calcareous habitat; temperatures are our estimate. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potamogetoncoloratus); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Divide the creeping rhizome. It does not form turions; it sets small fruits in summer.
Compatibility and tank mates
Soft leaves are grazed by goldfish and snails. Only suited to cool, hard-water set-ups.
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.