Care Guide
Blyxa aubertii
Blyxa Aubertii
Care at a Glance
Lighting
Medium to high
Growth Rate
Fast in good conditons
Growth Form
Rosette
Placement
Mid-background
True Aquatic
Obligate aquatic
Available As
Bare root
About This Plant
Blyxa aubertii is a lovely aquatic plant and adds a spikey upright element in a planted aquarium. The long slender leaves of Blyxa auberti flow in the current of your planted aquarium In strong light, the plant has a bronze tinge to the leaves. In more modest lighting the leaves are a translucent green. This is the taller of the two commercially available Blyxa sp. This plant does best in a well-tended high light CO2 suplemented tank with a nutritious substrate. It does not tolerate abuse from boisterous fish. This is an obligate aquatic, meaning that it cannot grow out of the water.
Quick-Reference Details
- Common name
- Blyxa aubertii
- Scientific name
- Blyxa Aubertii
- Family
- Hydrocharitaceae
- Native to
- Asia from New Guinea to Japan, Australia, Madagascar and other isolated parts of Africa
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Requirements
- Prefers soft-medium hard water, supplemental CO2 and good nutrition
- Lighting
- Medium to high
- Growth rate
- Fast in good conditons
- Growth form
- Rosette
- Placement
- Mid-background
- True aquatic
- Obligate aquatic
- Available as
- Bare root
Difficulty — Intermediate
Grows reliably in moderate-tech tanks. Benefits from steady fertilization and adequate light, but does not require CO2 to survive.
CO2 & Fertilization
CO2 supplementation is recommended for best growth and color. Liquid carbon (Easy Carbon, Excel) is a workable substitute, though pressurized CO2 produces the strongest results.
Tank Size & Setup
Best in tanks 20 gallons or larger so background stems have room to grow up and be trimmed without overtaking the foreground.
Aquascaping & Placement
Place in the midground between foreground carpets and tall background stems. The structure adds visual depth and shelters small fish and shrimp. Plant the root crown just at the substrate surface. Burying the crown causes the plant to push itself back up over a few days.
Tank-Mate Compatibility
Compatible with the full range of community-tank species — tetras, rasboras, livebearers, corydoras, and most other peaceful freshwater fish do not damage the foliage.
Common Care Issues
Outgrowing the tank
Plan to trim every 1-2 weeks. Skipping trims lets the plant shade out neighbors and trap detritus that fouls water quality.
Slow initial growth
Most aquarium plants pause for 2-4 weeks after planting while they convert from their nursery-grown emersed form to fully submerged growth. New leaves that emerge underwater will look thinner and slightly different — this is the plant adapting, not a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light does Blyxa aubertii need?
Blyxa aubertii (Blyxa Aubertii) prefers medium to high lighting. A standard planted-tank LED fixture run 7-9 hours a day is typical.
Does Blyxa aubertii need CO2?
CO2 supplementation is recommended for best growth and color. Liquid carbon (Easy Carbon, Excel) is a workable substitute, though pressurized CO2 produces the strongest results.
Is Blyxa aubertii good for beginners?
Blyxa aubertii is rated intermediate-level. Grows reliably in moderate-tech tanks. Benefits from steady fertilization and adequate light, but does not require CO2 to survive.
How fast does Blyxa aubertii grow?
Growth rate is fast in good conditons. Expect to trim every 1-2 weeks once established.
What fish and invertebrates are compatible with Blyxa aubertii?
Compatible with the full range of community-tank species — tetras, rasboras, livebearers, corydoras, and most other peaceful freshwater fish do not damage the foliage.
Available to Purchase
Blyxa aubertii — $19.99
Free 2-day shipping on orders over $100
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