{"product_id":"hygrophila-pisces","title":"Hygrophila Pisces","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHygrophila Pisces is a hardy, fast-growing stem plant sold under a trade name rather than a settled botanical one; it is a cultivated form of Hygrophila, most consistent with Hygrophila polysperma. Under good light the new growth flushes pink over a pale-veined leaf, giving an easy plant a bit of extra colour. It is a forgiving choice for anyone starting out with stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHygrophila polysperma and its relatives are native to South and South-East Asia, where they grow along the margins of streams, ditches and paddies, both emersed on damp banks and fully submerged when water rises. In the aquarium it recreates that habitat happily in warm, well-lit water with plenty of nutrients in the water column.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA healthy stem carries opposite, oval to lance-shaped leaves, pale green with a lighter central vein, a faintly reddish stem and pink-tinged new growth under strong light. Left unchecked it grows tall and lanky; trimmed, it stays as a bushy mid-to-background clump. The portion supplied is a young stem or two that will quickly root and branch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse it in the midground to background, planted in loose groups so the coloured tops show. Space stems a little apart for light penetration, and pinch out the tops regularly to keep growth compact and bushy rather than leggy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRemove any pot or rockwool and push each stem gently into the substrate, leaving a couple of centimetres between them. Propagation could not be simpler – cut the top few centimetres and replant it, and both the cutting and the trimmed base will grow on.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt tolerates a wide range but colours and stays compact best under moderate to high light. CO2 is not required but is beneficial for denser, faster growth, and the pink tones respond to bright light plus a nutrient-rich water column with liquid fertiliser. Keep it at 22–28 °C, pH around 6.0–7.5, in soft to moderately hard water. Growth is fast, so expect regular trimming.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHygrophila polysperma (sold as 'Pisces')\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHygrophila Pisces\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\u003e20–40 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast\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 \/ Background\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to High\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeneficial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid fertiliser (water column 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\u003e2–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStem cuttings\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\u003eBeginner planted and community tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn easy fit with community fish – tetras, rasboras, barbs, livebearers, gouramis, peaceful cichlids – and with shrimp, which graze harmlessly over the leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid known plant-shredders and diggers such as silver dollars, large goldfish and boisterous cichlids, which will strip or uproot soft stems. Note that Hygrophila polysperma is a declared noxious weed in some regions overseas, so never release trimmings into waterways – bin or compost them.\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":55234107539747,"sku":"AA3756","price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/hygrophila-pisces-43161141903651-v2.webp?v=1790321589","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/hygrophila-pisces","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}