{"product_id":"telanthera","title":"Telanthera | Alternanthera reineckii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTelanthera is the old trade name for Alternanthera reineckii, one of the most rewarding red stem plants in the hobby. Slender leaves in green above and rich pink-to-magenta beneath bring warmth and contrast to a planted tank, and by red-plant standards it is refreshingly forgiving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe species comes from the wetlands and marshy river margins of Brazil and neighbouring parts of South America, where it grows as a paludal plant — happy both emersed and submerged. In the aquarium it wants bright light and a fertile substrate to hold its colour; the warmth and soft-to-moderate water of its home suit it well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNarrow, lance-shaped leaves sit in opposite pairs along upright stems, green-topped with a red-to-magenta underside that deepens to all-over crimson under strong light. Stems reach roughly 20–50 cm. The bunch supplied may drop a few submerged-form leaves as it converts, then push out well-coloured new growth from the tips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA midground to background plant, best in a group of several stems where the red reads as a bold block against green surroundings. Plant stems a couple of centimetres apart, and trim by topping and replanting the cuttings to build a dense, colourful stand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRemove the band and rockwool, separate the stems and plant each individually in the substrate. Propagate by cutting the healthy tops and replanting them — the parent stem branches, thickening the group over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh light is the key to deep red colour; in moderate light it stays greener with pink undersides. CO2 is not required but is strongly beneficial for colour and density. Feed through the substrate and water column — root tabs plus a liquid fertiliser, with iron and potassium especially important for red intensity. Comfortable at 22–28 °C in soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral water. Growth is moderate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlternanthera reineckii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTelanthera, Scarlet Temple, Alternanthera\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (Brazil)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–50 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\u003eBeginner to Intermediate\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 (High for red colour)\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\u003eRoot tabs \u0026amp; liquid fertiliser (iron \u0026amp; potassium for red)\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\u003e5.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard (3–15 °dGH)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCuttings (top and replant)\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\u003ePlanted community aquariums, aquascapes, colour accents\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWell matched with peaceful community fish, tetras, rasboras, livebearers, dwarf shrimp and snails, which leave the leaves alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHerbivorous and digging fish — large goldfish, silver dollars and many cichlids — will graze or uproot it. Keep CO2 and dosing steady, as sudden swings can prompt leaf drop.\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":55234105344291,"sku":"AA1302","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/telanthera-43078099566883-v2.webp?v=1790321589","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/telanthera","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}