Crypt Crispatula

The Plant
Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae grows as a single rosette about 15 to 20 cm wide, with long, narrow leaves 20 to 60 cm long in solid green or maroon. Long leaves can trail across the water surface. It comes from limestone hills in southern Thailand, handles very hard water, and belongs at the back of the tank.

Comes as a Tropica tissue culture cup: grown in lab gel, so it arrives free of snails, algae, pests and pesticides. Rinse off the gel and split it into small portions to plant.

Plant Care
Type: Rosette
Origin: Asia
Growth rate: Medium
Height: 20 to 30+ cm (after about two months)
Light: Low
CO2: Low

Planting Tips
Plant it in the substrate toward the back. It isn't fussy, but it does best in a nutrient-rich substrate with good light, so add root tabs nearby. Give it time to settle in before it starts to grow.

Why Shrimp Keepers Like It
Crypts grow slowly and stay put. Shrimp graze the biofilm on the leaves and hide underneath them.

Photos from AquascapeGuide's Etsy shop, used with permission.

Information sourced from AquascapeGuide