Mayak red

Mayaca red, trade name Mayaca sp. Santarem Red. At the time of writing this article, the plant has not been identified, so it does not have a scientific name. Belongs to the genus Mayak, comes from South America. Presumably native to swampy regions near Santarem County, Para State, Brazil.

Despite its origin, it was first used as an aquarium plant in Japan and from there it was brought to Europe and then back to America.

In favorable conditions, it forms an upright, slightly branching stem with many thin needle-like leaves. Young leaves, collected at the top in a bunch (corolla), have a contrasting red vein. Due to its relatively small size, it can be placed in the so-called nano-aquaria.

Features of keeping in a home aquarium are comparable to the well-known Maiaka river. Healthy growth requires good lighting, supplemental carbon dioxide, soft water, and regular micronutrient supplementation, particularly iron. The soil is soft, it is advisable to use a special granular aquarium soil.