Intermediate water-starwort (Callitriche hamulata) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Callitriche intermedia, Callitriche brutia var. hamulata, Stellina hamulata
Family
Plantaginaceae (plantain family)
Origin
Greenland and Iceland through Europe to north-western Africa
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
70 cm
Temperature
4–20°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
Soft to medium (estimate)
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium to high light; CO2 not needed
Flow
Likes moving, well-oxygenated water

Care

Callitriche hamulata (family Plantaginaceae) is a submerged water-starwort found from Greenland and Iceland through Europe to north-western Africa. It is fairly common in Britain, especially in south-east England. It grows in fast streams with well-oxygenated water and also in ponds and ditches, from sea level to about 1,200 m. Its slender, branching stems are 20–70 cm long, with narrow, light green underwater leaves up to 6 cm long that widen slightly to a hooked tip (hence "hamulata"). Floating leaves, when present, are shorter, wider and pinkish-brown green. Wikipedia says nothing about aquarium use. It is a native coldwater oxygenator for ponds and unheated tanks, and is unlikely to last in warm tropical water. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callitrichehamulata); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Stem pieces root readily; it also spreads by broken fragments.

Compatibility and tank mates

Soft and fine-leaved: goldfish and other plant-eating fish eat it readily. A coldwater plant for unheated tanks and ponds, poor in tropical aquariums.

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

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