Ernst Schütte, Wasserpest, CC BY-SA 3.0
key data
Attitude:
simply
Breed:
cuttings
Size:
up to 60 cm
Temperature:
15ºC – 16ºC
pH:
6 – 8
GH:
2 °dH to 20 °dH
CH:
8 °dH to 20 °dH
Look
The dense-leaved waterweed is a light green umbellifer that can grow meter-long stems. In the aquarium it grows to about 60 cm high. The shoots grow upright and branch little. There are 3 to 5 translucent, light green leaves on each leaf node. These are 2 to 3 cm long and 3 to 4 mm wide. The leaf margin is covered with fine teeth. The leaf blades are bent backwards.
When the plants reach the water surface, flowers sometimes form. They have three large white petals.
distribution
Egeria densa originally comes from South America. The first plants were brought to Europe from Argentina, which is why it is also known as Argentine waterweed. Today this aquatic plant occurs as a neophyte in North America, Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe.
husbandry conditions
The waterweed is a low-maintenance aquarium plant. It thrives in any aquarium as long as it has enough light. Because of its adaptability, it is a good starter plant and is recommended for any new aquarium setup. It grows up to 10 cm in length per week and in doing so removes a lot of nitrate and phosphate from the water. This makes it difficult for algae to settle.
This aquatic plant can be kept in cold water aquariums and in warm water aquariums. The warmer the water, the more light the waterweed needs to maintain its beautiful, dense foliage. If the light supply is too low, the spaces between the leaves stretch and the stems become bare. That is why waterweed is difficult to cultivate in the long term at temperatures above 26 °C.
If the temperatures in cold water fall below 15 °C, the plants form winter buds – so-called turions. This is how they survive the cold season in nature. The old shoots die off. As soon as it gets warmer, the turions will sprout again.
This stem plant has the advantage that it is able to obtain its carbon from hydrogen carbonate through biogenic decalcification. A thin, white coating of lime forms on the leaves. Because the plant does not need free carbon dioxide in the water, it grows easily in alkaline, hard water. It is therefore particularly suitable for aquariums with East African cichlids.
Cuttings are obtained for propagation. The stalks are cut or broken into pieces at least 12 cm long. Each individual part will form new roots and grow in the substrate. The head cuttings from the upper end of the stem with the shoot tip continue to grow in length after insertion. The partial cuttings from the lower stem area continue to grow by forming side shoots.
special feature
In contrast to the waterweed species from the genus Elodea, the Argentine waterweed is not considered an invasive species in Europe. It may be traded and passed on without restrictions.