{"product_id":"cryptocoryne-pygmaea","title":"Cryptocoryne Pygmaea","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCryptocoryne pygmaea is one of the smallest crypts in the hobby - a dainty, grassy rosette from the Philippines that suits nano tanks and foreground planting where bigger crypts would swamp the layout. Slow, steady and pleasingly undemanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to the Philippine islands of Palawan and Busuanga, where it grows in shallow forest streams. Recreate this with a mature, stable tank, soft to moderately hard water, gentle flow and a fine nutrient-rich substrate its short roots can work into.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNarrow, slightly wavy green to olive leaves in a compact rosette, typically 5–10 cm tall in the foreground, though well-fed plants in rich substrate can push closer to 15 cm. Supplied as a tissue-culture cup of small plantlets - ideal for splitting into many foreground tufts. Some post-planting melt is normal; regrowth follows from the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA foreground to lower-midground plant. Plant plugs 3–4 cm apart across the front of the tank and let runners knit them into a low, dense border - a good low-tech alternative to demanding carpet plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRinse away the nutrient gel, divide the portion into small plugs and plant each with tweezers, keeping crowns above the substrate. Spreads by short runners; lift and replant plantlets to steer coverage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLow to moderate light and no CO2 required, though CO2 and good substrate speed up its naturally slow pace. Feed the roots with tabs or an enriched substrate. Water of 22–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderately hard suits it. Being slow, it benefits from shrimp and snails keeping its leaves algae-free.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCryptocoryne pygmaea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePygmy Crypt\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhilippines (Palawan, Busuanga)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow\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\u003eForeground to midground\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow\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 (heavy root feeder)\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\u003e3–15 °dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRunners\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\u003eNano tanks, shrimp tanks, low-tech foregrounds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNano fish - ember tetras, chili rasboras, pygmy corydoras - plus dwarf shrimp and snails, all of which leave it untouched.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGoldfish, cichlids and any boisterous diggers; a plant this small is easily uprooted. Avoid relocating it once planted and avoid unstable parameters.\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":55234093842723,"sku":"AA2992","price":42.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/cryptocoryne-pygmaea-43078252069155-v2.webp?v=1790321528","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/cryptocoryne-pygmaea","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}