River buttercup (Ranunculus inundatus) care guide

Group
Plants
Family
Ranunculaceae (buttercup family)
Origin
Australia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
10 cm
Temperature
15–26°C
pH
6–7.5
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium light; CO2 recommended (medium demand)

Care

River buttercup is a small Australian buttercup with deeply cut, umbrella-shaped leaves. Unlike many Ranunculus, which turn coarse and leggy underwater, it stays neat and compact in aquaria. Tropica sells it from tissue culture. Use it in the foreground: it reaches about 5 cm or a little more in two months, and its runners slowly fill the ground to make a dense cover. Trim long leaves to keep it tidy. Tropica rates it medium difficulty, with medium light (about 0.5 W/L) and medium CO2 (about 6–14 mg/L). Strong light keeps it compact. Tropica does not give water figures. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources; it comes from a temperate to subtropical climate and copes with slightly cool water. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

It sends out runners that form new plants; cut and replant them once rooted.

Compatibility and tank mates

Small and soft; digging fish may uproot it and plant-eaters may nibble it. Suits shrimp and small community fish in tropical or cool tanks.

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

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