{"product_id":"pink-baby-tears","title":"Pink Baby Tears | Rotala rotundifolia","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePink Baby Tears is a trade name for Rotala rotundifolia, one of the most popular and forgiving red stem plants in the hobby. Despite the name it is not a baby-tears carpet plant; it is an easy upright stem whose fine foliage warms to pink and red under good light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRotala rotundifolia grows across South-East Asia, often semi-emersed at the edges of rice paddies and in damp, sunny margins. In the aquarium it recreates that habit as a submerged stem, and it adapts to a wide range of conditions, colouring up most in bright light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFine, narrow leaves line slender stems that stay green in low light and flush pink to reddish under bright light. Stems reach around 20–30 cm and branch freely when trimmed, forming a bushy stand. The portion sold is a bundle of stems that quickly roots and fills out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest in the midground to background, planted in dense groups for a full, colourful bush; it can also be kept low and trimmed hard as a mid-height feature. Trim and replant the tops regularly to encourage side shoots and keep the group compact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRemove the pot, rockwool and any weights, separate the stems, and plant each individually into the substrate. It propagates easily from cuttings: snip the tops and replant them, and the base branches to make more stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eModerate to high light gives the best form and the pink to red colour; it grows fine in lower light but stays green and taller. CO2 is beneficial rather than required and improves density and colour. Feed through the water column with a liquid fertiliser, keep the water 20–28 °C, pH around 6.0–8.0, and expect fast, easy growth that takes heavy pruning well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRotala rotundifolia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePink Baby Tears, Dwarf Rotala, Roundleaf Toothcup\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth-East Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–30 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 to 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)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard\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 tanks and colourful aquascapes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community fish, shrimp and snails all suit it, and it makes good cover for fry. It pairs well with tetras, rasboras, guppies, dwarf cichlids and nano fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHerbivorous and digging fish such as silver dollars, large goldfish and many cichlids will eat or uproot the stems. In very low light it loses its pink colour and grows leggy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or delivery Australia wide. 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":55234105114915,"sku":"AA1299","price":11.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/pink-baby-tears-43078099403043-v2.webp?v=1790321589","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/pink-baby-tears","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}