Pellia (Monosolenium tenerum) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Pellia (trade name), Pelia
Family
Monosoleniaceae (liverwort family)
Origin
East Asia: north-eastern India, Nepal, China, Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands and Japan; also Hawaii
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5 cm
Temperature
18–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low light; CO2 not needed

Care

Monosolenium tenerum is a liverwort, the only species in its genus and family. In the wild it is a weedy land liverwort of moist, shady, often fertilised soil near human settlements. Tropica sells it as a tissue-culture plant and notes that it has wrongly been called Pellia. There is some name confusion. The Wikipedia list says plants sold under this name are actually Lomariopsis (Süsswassertang); Wikipedia's Monosolenium page says plants sold as "Pellia" are now labelled Monosolenium tenerum, while Süsswassertang ("round pellia") is a different plant, a fern gametophyte. Check which plant you have: Monosolenium has thicker, more ribbon-like lobes like a giant Riccia, while Süsswassertang is very thin and finely branched. Tropica rates it easy, with low light and CO2 needs and a medium growth rate, forming a low cushion 2–5 cm tall. It is brittle: tie it to stones with fishing line or tuck small clumps among plants such as hairgrass. Once settled it is very undemanding. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosolenium); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Breaks into pieces, each of which keeps growing; divide clumps and tie the pieces where wanted.

Compatibility and tank mates

Ideal for shrimp and fry tanks, where it gives cover and grazing surfaces. Large or digging fish can tear it loose; most small community fish leave it alone.

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

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