Vallisneria tiger
Vallisneria Tiger or Leopard, scientific name Vallisneria nana “Tiger”. It comes from the northern regions of Australia. It is a geographical variety of Vallisneria nana, which has a characteristic striped pattern on the leaves.
For a long time, Vallisneria tiger was considered a variety of Vallisneria spiralis and, accordingly, was referred to as Vallisneria spiral tiger. However, in 2008, in the course of scientific research on the systematization of species of the genus Vallisneria, DNA analysis showed that this species belongs to Vallisneria nana.
The plant grows up to 30-60 cm in height, the leaves are up to 2 cm wide. Rather large (wide) leaves have largely led to erroneous identification, since Vallisneria nana, which is familiar to aquariums, has a leaf blade width of only a few millimeters.
A characteristic feature of the species is the presence of a large number of red or dark brown transverse stripes resembling a tiger pattern. In intense light, the leaves may take on a reddish-brown tone, which is why the stripes begin to merge.
Easy to maintain and undemanding to external conditions. Can grow successfully in a wide range of pH and GH values, temperatures and light levels. Does not need nutrient soil and additional introduction of carbon dioxide. Will be content with the nutrients that will be available in the aquarium. Considered a good choice for the beginner aquarist.
Basic information:
- Difficulty of growing – simple
- Growth rates are high
- Temperature — 10–30°С
- Value pH — 6.0–8.0
- Water hardness – 2–21°dGH
- Light level – medium or high
- Use in an aquarium – in the background
- Suitability for a small aquarium – no
- spawning plant – no
- Able to grow on snags, stones – no
- Able to grow among herbivorous fish – no
- Suitable for paludariums – no
