Cryptocoryne parva

Also known as Crypt parva, Dwarf cryptocoryne

FreshwaterRosetteRunners

Cryptocoryne parva (Cryptocoryne parva) — "Iwagumi, day #1" by Joel Carnat is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · by

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Growth rate: Slow
Placement: Foreground
Type: Rosette
Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
pH: 5.5–7.5
Hardness: 1–18 dGH
Max height: 3.9 in (10 cm)
Spread: 2 in (5 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Medium
Origin: Sri Lanka
Family: Araceae

Overview

The smallest crypt and the usual choice when you want a crypt carpet or foreground. Plant single rosettes a couple of centimeters apart in rich substrate and be patient, because it is the slowest-growing crypt and can take months to fill in. It needs more light than other crypts plus root tabs, and while CO2 is not strictly required it noticeably speeds up the slow carpet. It still gets crypt melt after planting, so do not give up if it sulks for the first few weeks.

In the wild

Endemic to Sri Lanka, where it grows along stream banks and in shaded, shallow freshwater. It is amphibious like other crypts, growing submersed underwater and emersed on the margins, but it stays tiny in both forms.

Good to know

The smallest species in the Cryptocoryne genus, a water trumpet in the family Araceae. Unlike its larger relatives it stays grass-like, forming a low rosette of narrow upright leaves and spreading slowly by short runners to make a dense low group. Despite being a crypt, it is unusual in wanting more light than most of its relatives to grow well.

Did you know

Cryptocoryne parva is both the smallest crypt and the slowest growing, often taking several months to knit into a carpet. It is also the odd one out in the genus for preferring brighter light, where most crypts are happy in the shade.