Glossostigma (Glossostigma elatinoides) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Small mud-mat, Glosso, Tricholoma elatinoides
Family
Phrymaceae (lopseed family)
Origin
South-eastern Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, ACT); also New Zealand per Tropica
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5 cm
Temperature
18–26°C
pH
5.5–7
Hardness
1–10 dGH
Care level
expert
Lighting
High light; CO2 injection recommended (about 15–25 mg/L)

Care

A tiny, mat-forming perennial from wet river flats and the edges of swamps and dams in south-eastern Australia; Tropica's description also mentions New Zealand. Its pairs of small spoon-shaped leaves (6–20 mm on land plants) make it one of the smallest aquarium plants, popular in Japanese-style layouts. Use it as a foreground carpet only 2–5 cm tall. Plant small clumps (Tropica suggests about an eighth of a pot each) a few centimetres apart so they join up quickly, and keep larger plants from shading it: in poor light it grows upwards instead of spreading. Tropica rates it as advanced, needing strong light and CO2 injection. Soft water and CO2 make a big difference to growth. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Soft water suits it best. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossostigmaelatinoides); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Spreads by runners across the substrate. Lift small rooted pieces from a dense mat and replant them a few centimetres apart.

Compatibility and tank mates

Fine for shrimp and small, peaceful fish. Digging fish, goldfish and large cichlids uproot or eat it. Needs a CO2-injected planted tank.

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

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