South America: found in the Rio Cristalino in southern Amazonas, Brazil
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
10 cm
Temperature
20–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Hardness
2–12 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low to medium light; CO2 not needed (better carpet with CO2 and good light)
Care
Staurogyne repens is a compact, bushy stem plant from the Amazon basin with small fresh-green leaves. It is related to Hygrophila but stays much lower and denser, which makes it one of the most popular easy foreground plants. Tropica rates it easy, with low light and low CO2 needs and a medium growth rate; it stays about 5–10 cm tall. When planting, cut off the longest upright shoots: the plant then sends out creeping side shoots from the base that gradually spread across the substrate and form a low carpet. In weak light it grows more upright and branches much less, so medium light gives the best result. 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
Take cuttings of upright shoots and replant them, or separate rooted side shoots from the base. Trimming encourages more creeping side growth.
Compatibility and tank mates
Suits most tropical community, shrimp and nano tanks. Digging fish (large cichlids, some loaches) uproot it, and goldfish will eat it.
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.