Europe, Asia, Africa (to Botswana and Madagascar) and Australia (Queensland)
Water
freshwater
Temperature
15–27°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–12 dGH (estimate)
Care level
expert
Lighting
Medium to high light; CO2 helpful (estimate)
Care
Caldesia parnassifolia (family Alismataceae) is an aquatic plant of slow-moving fresh water, lakes and ponds. Its range runs across much of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, from France to the Russian Far East and south to Botswana, Madagascar and Queensland. It has died out in Austria, Bulgaria and Switzerland but is rated Least Concern globally. Wikipedia gives no description of its size or form and nothing on aquarium use. Like its relatives, it is likely to make a rosette with long-stalked, rounded leaves that tend to grow up to the surface, so it is an experimental plant for open tanks or ponds rather than a reliable aquarium plant. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. With its wide range, warm-climate stock should suit tropical tanks and European stock ponds. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldesiaparnassifolia); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Our sources give no details. Related plants are grown from seed or from plantlets on the flower stems.
Compatibility and tank mates
Soft leaves may be eaten by goldfish and plant-eating fish. Suits open tanks or ponds where leaves can reach the surface.
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.