TankBud

Cuphea anagalloidea

Also known as Rotala sp. Araguaia, Rotala Araguaia

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Cuphea anagalloidea (Cuphea anagalloidea)
Kudapan21 · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ required
Temperature
68–79°F
20–26°C
Max height
11.8 in
30 cm
Growth rate
Medium
Placement
Midground
Type
Stem
pH
4.5–7.0
Hardness
0–12 dGH
Spread
1.2 in (3 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Difficult
Family
Lythraceae
Origin
Brazil (aquarium stock likely from the Rio Araguaia)

Overview

Cuphea anagalloidea is a small, demanding stem plant grown for its intense red. It suits dense groups in the foreground to midground of a nano tank or a Dutch-style street. It is rated difficult and is not a plant for a low-tech setup.

Did you know

For years hobbyists grew Cuphea anagalloidea as Rotala sp. 'Araguaia'. It took until 2010 to identify it as a Cuphea, a genus better known for garden bedding plants than for aquariums.

Caring for Cuphea anagalloidea

Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem and push the stems in one at a time, a little apart. Cuphea anagalloidea needs soft, acidic water, from pH 4.5 to 7 and 0 to 12 dGH. Keep it at 68 to 79°F (20 to 26°C).

Give it strong light and steady CO2 of around 20 to 40 mg/l. With anything less it turns green and leggy or simply stalls. Feed the water column consistently and keep nitrate modest to push the red. It also takes nutrients through its roots, so root tabs near the stems help.

Growth is medium-paced, and regular topping and replanting keep a group compact and even. Replant the cut tops, and the stumps left behind grow new side shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

Good to know

Cuphea anagalloidea belongs to the family Lythraceae. Its genus holds around 260 species across the American tropics and subtropics, and only a handful of them are aquatic. Submersed shoots are only 1.5 to 2 cm wide. Under strong light the upper leaf surfaces turn bright red to orange-red.

In the wild

Cuphea anagalloidea is endemic to Brazil, scattered across the north, east and southeast of the country. It occurs in states from Para to Minas Gerais, and the aquarium stock most likely came from the Rio Araguaia. It grows amphibiously along river margins, submersed at high water and emersed as levels fall, in soft, acidic water.

Common questions

Does Cuphea anagalloidea need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem, then push the stems into the substrate one at a time, a little apart.

Does Cuphea anagalloidea need CO2?

Yes. Cuphea anagalloidea needs injected CO2 to grow well, and it usually struggles without it.

How much light does Cuphea anagalloidea need?

Cuphea anagalloidea needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.

Does Cuphea anagalloidea need root tabs?

They help. Cuphea anagalloidea takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Cuphea anagalloidea?

Cuphea anagalloidea propagates by cuttings and side shoots. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

How tall does Cuphea anagalloidea grow?

Cuphea anagalloidea grows to about 11.8 in (30 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.

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