{"product_id":"assorted-crypts","title":"Assorted Crypts","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur Assorted Crypts are a keeper's-choice mix of hardy Cryptocoryne species, chosen from whatever is looking its best on the bench. They are undemanding midground rosettes that settle in slowly and reward patience with rich, textured foliage. A sound pick for low-tech community tanks and anyone finding their feet with live plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCryptocoryne grow along streams, rivers and seasonally flooded margins across South and South-East Asia, spending part of the year emersed on damp banks and part fully submerged. In the aquarium they are happiest in stable, slightly soft to moderately hard water with a nutrient-rich substrate that recreates those shaded, silty margins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDepending on the species supplied, leaves range from narrow and strappy to broad and quilted, in greens and bronzes that deepen under stronger light. Most settle at roughly 10–30 cm tall. This is a mixed portion, so expect variation between plants rather than a matched set. Newly planted crypts often shed older leaves – the well-known \"crypt melt\" – before pushing fresh growth from the roots, so don't be alarmed if it looks rough for a fortnight or two.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest used in the midground, or the foreground of a larger tank, where a group can knit into a low thicket. Plant in the substrate with the crown, where the leaves meet the roots, sitting just above the surface so it doesn't rot. Space individual plants a few centimetres apart to allow for spread.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRemove any pot and rockwool, tease the roots apart and plant each crown separately in the substrate. Crypts propagate by runners, sending up daughter plants alongside the parent that can be lifted and replanted once they have their own roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUndemanding: low to moderate light, no CO2 required, and a temperature around 22–28 °C suit them well. As root feeders they respond strongly to root tabs or a nutrient substrate, with liquid fertiliser a useful supplement. Growth is slow to moderate, so avoid over-lighting, which only invites algae on the older leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCryptocoryne spp. (assorted)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAssorted Crypts, Water Trumpet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth \u0026amp; South-East Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–30 cm (varies by species)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow to Moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMidground \/ Foreground\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to Moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoot tabs (root feeder) \u0026amp; liquid fertiliser\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRunners (daughter plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow-tech \u0026amp; community aquariums, beginners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHappy with most peaceful community fish – small tetras, rasboras, livebearers – along with shrimp and snails. Their rooted growth also tolerates gentle bottom-dwellers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDigging or herbivorous fish such as large goldfish, many cichlids and silver dollars will uproot or shred them. Avoid frequent replanting or big swings in water chemistry, both of which trigger heavier melt.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or local delivery. Sold sizes\/portions reflect what we stock; anything shown as sold out will return as we restock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234104525091,"sku":"AA1307","price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Assorted_Crypts_Cryptocoryne_spp..jpg?v=1781487090","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/assorted-crypts","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}