Cryptocoryne pygmaea
Cryptocoryne pygmaea
Also known as Cryptocoryne pygmaea Merr., Cryptocoryne palawanensis, Dwarf crypt, Pygmy crypt
Care at a glance
- Light
- Low light
- CO2
- CO₂ beneficial
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Midground
- Type
- Rosette
- Temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- pH
- 5.5–8.0
- Hardness
- 3–18 dGH
- Max height
- 7.9 in (20 cm)
- Spread
- 4.7 in (12 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Origin
- Philippines (Palawan, Busuanga, western Mindanao)
- Family
- Araceae
Overview
An easy, undemanding crypt suited to beginners, tolerating a wide range from soft to quite hard water. Despite the name it does not stay small, so give it room as a midground or specimen plant. Use a nutrient-rich substrate, low to moderate light, and stable parameters, and it will slowly spread by runners and daughter plants. CO2 is not required but helps it establish.
In the wild
Endemic to the Philippines, on the islands of Palawan and Busuanga and in western Mindanao. It populates rivers and rivulets, often in hard water, growing emersed as well as submersed and sometimes in deeper water.
Good to know
Described by Elmer Drew Merrill as Cryptocoryne pygmaea. Much of the plant sold under this name in the hobby is now considered to be Cryptocoryne palawanensis, a closely related Philippine species. Despite the 'pygmaea' epithet, it is not a true dwarf and can reach a medium size in a well-run tank.
Did you know
Its name promises a tiny plant, but in good conditions it grows into a medium-sized crypt, and the plant most hobbyists buy as 'pygmaea' is actually its Philippine cousin Cryptocoryne palawanensis.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Glass Aqua Aquascaping plants and planted tank supplies
- Buce Plant Aquatic plants and aquascaping supplies
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Low-light plants · Midground plants · Cryptocoryne · Beginner plants
Growing Cryptocoryne pygmaea?
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