{"product_id":"proserpinaca-palustris","title":"Proserpinaca Palustris | Proserpinaca palustris","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProserpinaca palustris, the mermaid weed, is a distinctive stem plant whose saw-toothed leaves shift from green to bronze and deep red under strong light. It is a rewarding but demanding plant, best kept by aquarists who can offer good light, CO2 and a nutrient-rich substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe species is native to North America, growing in ponds, ditches and swampy margins that are often emersed. The emersed and submerged leaf forms look quite different, and nursery stock grown out of water changes shape as it converts underwater; in the aquarium it recreates its habitat best under bright light with steady, nutrient-rich conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSubmerged leaves are narrow and deeply serrated, giving a feathery, comb-like look that turns from green to bronze, orange and red as light increases. Stems reach around 10–40 cm depending on conditions. The portion sold is a stem or small group that reshapes and colours up as it settles into submerged growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest in the midground to background, planted in a group so the toothed, coloured foliage forms a bold textural feature. Give it the brightest position available, and trim and replant the tops to keep the stand dense and low enough to colour well.\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 into the substrate. It propagates from cuttings: trim healthy tops and replant them, and the base will branch to make more stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh light is needed for compact growth and the red colour; in low light it stays green and sparse. CO2 is strongly recommended and makes a real difference to growth and colour. Feed through the substrate and water column with iron for the reds; it tolerates cooler water, from around 15–26 °C, with pH about 5.0–7.5. Growth is moderate and it can be fussy about parameter swings, so keep conditions stable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProserpinaca palustris\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMermaid Weed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorth America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–40 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\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\u003eHigh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeneficial (strongly recommended)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoot tabs plus liquid fertiliser and iron for red colour\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.0–7.5\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\u003eHigh-tech planted aquascapes with strong light and CO2\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 suit it well. It looks striking among tetras, rasboras and dwarf cichlids in a bright, well-fertilised tank.\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. Dim light and unstable water are the main reasons it fails to colour or grow well.\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":55234105671971,"sku":"AA1279","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/proserpinaca-palustris-43078223364387-v2.webp?v=1790321587","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/proserpinaca-palustris","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}