Spirodela polyrhiza (Giant Duckweed)
Spirodela polyrhiza (Giant Duckweed)
Super easy floating plant that grows in any aquarium. Giant duckweed is extremely useful as a natural biological filter that quickly removes nitrogenous waste and oxygenates water. It's extense suspended "roots" form a floating haven for small fry and shrimp. A fantastic choice for a low-tech setup or for breeders.
QUICK NOTES:
Difficulty: Very Easy
Type: Floating
Size: 1+ cm frond width
Position and Usage: Floating plant - great natural hiding spot and food source for small fish or shrimp
Growth rate: Fast
Lighting: 1/5 – 5/5
Water Conditions: 15 – 30°C; pH of 6.0 – 8.0
CO2: Not required
Propagation: Asexual budding; sexual reproduction through seeds (rare)
Emersed growth: Does not grow emersed - needs to be floating on water. Can be used in Vivariums and Paludariums where there is water.
Description
Spirodela polyrhiza is native to the ponds, lakes, bayous, and sluggish streams of Florida. ‘Giant Duckweed’, largest of the Duckweed species, is an easily-cultivated floating plant that will grow in most temperate and tropical climates. Its flat, oval leaves can reach up to 1 cm in diameter and will float on the surface of a tank, grouped together in dense colonies that may house both micro- and macro-invertebrates, as well as provide shelter for small fish and shrimp. The plant is excellent for those breeding fish or keeping shrimp tanks as they create a conducive natural environment. The leaves are green with a red underside.
S. polyrhiza is hardy and requires neither high intensity lighting nor CO2 supplementation. It can tolerate a range of tank conditions but will thrive in nitrate, phosphate, and potassium-rich water where it will act as a sink for nutrients and is excellent at cleaning the water. Hobbyists should note that healthy plants can propagate quickly and can blanket the surface of a tank when left unsupervised, ultimately depleting both light and oxygen availability. The larger size of this duckweed species allows for easy control. Groups of plants may be removed as necessary but should be disposed of properly to avoid waterway contamination.
