East Asia (Tropica: probably from Japan and Hong Kong)
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
20 cm
Temperature
20–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium light; moderate CO2 (about 6–14 mg/L) recommended
Care
A compact hygrophila with narrow, tightly spaced leaves. Tropica sells it as Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia' and explains that, despite the name of a Brazilian river, it is most likely a form of H. lancea from Japan and Hong Kong. Wikipedia's list also mentions a form called 'Chai'. It stays 10–20 cm tall and 6–15 cm wide, so it suits the midground or the front of a group. It branches readily; pinch out the tips to keep it bushy. In good conditions the leaves turn reddish brown to purple. Tropica rates it as medium difficulty, with average growth, medium light and medium CO2 needs. 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
Easily propagated from cuttings: cut off shoot tips 10–15 cm long, strip the lowest leaves and push them into the substrate, where they root quickly. The base left behind branches and becomes bushier.
Compatibility and tank mates
Soft-leaved, so goldfish, large cichlids, silver dollars and some plant-eating snails will eat it; most community fish, shrimp and small snails leave it alone. Suits tropical community and shrimp tanks.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
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