{"product_id":"red-root-floater","title":"Red Root Floater | Phyllanthus fluitans","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRed Root Floater is a small floating plant that turns from green to a warm red across its rounded pads, with striking crimson roots dangling below. It is easy and undemanding, and few floaters add as much colour to the surface of a tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePhyllanthus fluitans comes from the Amazon basin of South America, drifting on still and slow-moving waters such as backwaters and canals. In the aquarium it recreates that setting on a calm surface with little water movement; strong overhead light and good nutrients bring out the red, while shade keeps it green.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach plant is a rosette of small, rounded pads a centimetre or two across, green in shade and blushing red to burgundy under bright light, with distinctive red roots trailing beneath. It spreads across the surface into a mat rather than gaining height. The portion sold is a small cluster of plants that multiply to cover the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA floating plant for the water surface. Let it drift in an area with calm flow, or corral it with a floating ring or tidy line so it does not cover the whole surface. It shades the tank below and soaks up nutrients, which helps starve algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNothing to plant: simply rest it on the surface and keep the flow gentle so the pads do not get pushed under or wetted from above, which can rot them. It propagates rapidly by daughter plants on side shoots; thin it out regularly to keep the surface open for other plants and gas exchange.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eModerate to high light from above is needed for the red colour; in low light it stays green. CO2 is not needed as a floating plant. It is a hungry feeder that especially wants iron and a good liquid fertiliser to hold its colour and grow fast; keep the water 22–26 °C, pH around 6.5–7.5. Warm, humid, still conditions suit it, while spray and strong surface agitation can cause melting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhyllanthus fluitans\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Root Floater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon basin, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1–3 cm (surface mat)\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\u003eFloating\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\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid fertiliser plus iron for red colour\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\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\u003eDaughter plants on side shoots\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\u003eSurface cover and colour in calm community and shrimp tanks\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 its roots and shade make great cover for fry and shy fish. It pairs well with bettas, gouramis, tetras, rasboras and shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSurface-feeding herbivores and boisterous fish such as large goldfish, silver dollars and big cichlids will eat or tatter it. Strong filter outflow and overhead spray keep the pads wet and cause them to rot, so avoid heavy surface agitation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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":55234091811107,"sku":"AA3248","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Other listing (SKU BA9056)","offer_id":55304234303779,"sku":"BA9056","price":5.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/red-root-floater-43078124044579-v2.webp?v=1790321588","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-root-floater","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}