Brazilian Pennywort

Hydrocotyle leucocephala

Tank Mates

Low foreground plants are great for invertebrates and bottom feeders to graze and hide.

Notes

This is a versatile plant that can be planted in the soil or left floating.  It's easily recognized by its thin stems and round leaves varying from 1 - 2.5" in diameter.  Though it does not require CO2 or high lighting, it can grow fast and tall when provided with optimal levels of both.  Because the roots shoot from the sides, it's a great column feeding plant that can help reduce nitrates.

Hydrocotyle tripartita

Tank Mates

Low foreground plants are great for invertebrates and bottom feeders to graze and hide.

Notes

Hydrocotle Japan make great foreground and midground plants.  The clover-like appearance of this plant creates a unique carpet experience.  It’s very hardy, undemanding and can quickly cover your foreground.  High lighting will help this plant grow low and spread.  Insufficient lighting will have the clovers reaching for the sky.  CO2 again will help with density and compactness.

Hygrophila difformis

Tank Mates

Pearl Weed is also compatible with most nano community fish, including tetras, rasboras, danios, endlers, gouramis.  They provide lots of shade and coverage for even bottom feeders like corydoras and rainbowfish.  They create great hiding spaces for baby fry and shrimp.

Notes

Water Wisteria is a fast growing, bushy plant.  When submerged underwater, it produces a feather-like leaf structure that's different in appearance than when it's emersed from water.  It's relatively undemanding and can thrive in low to moderate light levels, but can grow tall and fast with high lighting and CO2.  Provide a nutrient rich substrate and supplement with root tabs as necessary.  It's great at consuming nitrogen waste and can be used to help combat algae.

Najas guadalupensis

Tank Mates

Guppies!  Along with any live bearing fish as it provides great hiding spaces for fry.  Most mid and top dwelling community fish like tetras, danios, rasboras, shrimps and snails

Notes

Guppy grass is a fast and easy plant to grow.  It requires very little care and can propagate by simply cutting the stems and replanting it or letting it float.  It's a column feeder that helps absorb excess nutrients in the water and provides great hiding spaces for fry and shrimps.

Ceratopteris Thalictroides

Tank Mates

Great for nano community fish like tetras, rasboras, danios, mollies, endlers, otocinclus, corydoras, dwarf gouramis.  Popular for guppy and shrimp tanks as they provide shelter for baby shrimp and fry.  Avoid larger mid dwellers that may pick on its delicate leaves like cichlids and goldfish.

Notes

Eleocharis Acicularis

Tank Mates

Great carpet plant.  Creates a lush looking lawn

Notes

Dwarf Hairgrass look like Microswords but are much more thin and fine in appearance. These can create a nice and compact grass appearance in any foreground. Without CO2, they will grow much slower and a little sparse. Strong lighting will help it densify and fine soil will prevent uprooting.

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