Care Guide

Family Name: Acanthaceae

Staurogyne Repens

Intermediate difficultyIn Stock

Care at a Glance

Lighting

Moderate - high

Growth Rate

Moderate

Growth Form

Creeping stems

Placement

Foreground

True Aquatic

Yes

Available As

Tissue culture cups and packs

About This Plant

Staurogyne repens is a lovely small plant that quickly became a favorite of aquascapers after its introduction at Interzoo in 2008. The plant settles in very quickly in a nutrient rich substrate with supplemental CO2 and spreads beautifully to make a dense ground cover. It requires good care, however, with regular nutrient supply or it is likely to stunt and suddenly lose all its leaves. The speed at which this happens sometimes catches inexperienced aquatic gardeners by surprise. So make sure you fertilize regularly! Staurogyne repens also requires regular trimming, or it will start to grow taller when it has filled out the space available.

About the Staurogyne Genus

Family — Acanthaceae

Staurogyne repens is a small bushy foreground plant — easier than Glossostigma or HC, but still benefits from CO2 for a compact form. It is often used in shrimp aquascapes.

Quick-Reference Details

Common name: Family Name: Acanthaceae
Scientific name: Staurogyne Repens
Family: Acanthaceae
Native to: South America
Difficulty: Intermediate
Requirements: A good grower in a high light, CO2 supplemented tank
Lighting: Moderate - high
Growth rate: Moderate
Growth form: Creeping stems
Placement: Foreground
True aquatic: Yes
Available as: Tissue culture cups and packs

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

Suits tanks of any size. Foreground carpeting plants work especially well in 10-40 gallon planted setups where the viewer is close to the substrate.

Aquascaping & Placement

Use as a foreground carpeting plant. Plant small portions on 2-3 cm centers and let runners fill the gaps over 4-8 weeks. Trim and replant the tops every 3-4 weeks. The new growth tips hold the best color and form, while lower stems eventually need replacing.

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. Excellent in shrimp tanks. The fine leaf structure and biofilm surface make it a top pick for breeding Neocaridina and Caridina species.

Pro Tips for Growing Family Name: Acanthaceae

1Plant small portions on 2-3 cm centers and let it bush out laterally.
2Trim the tops to encourage side shoots and a fuller midground bush.

Common Care Issues

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 Family Name: Acanthaceae need?

Family Name: Acanthaceae (Staurogyne Repens) prefers moderate - high lighting. A standard planted-tank LED fixture run 7-9 hours a day is typical.

Does Family Name: Acanthaceae 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 Family Name: Acanthaceae good for beginners?

Family Name: Acanthaceae is rated intermediate-level. Grows reliably in moderate-tech tanks. Benefits from steady fertilization and adequate light, but does not require CO2 to survive.