Narrow Ludwigia – Live Aquarium Plant

Introduction: The Narrow Ludwigia is a striking and versatile live aquarium plant known for its slender, elongated leaves and vibrant green to reddish coloration. Its graceful appearance brings a natural elegance to any aquascape, making it a popular choice for aquarists who want to add vertical interest and texture to their tanks.

Origin: Narrow Ludwigia (Ludwigia arcuata) is native to North America, where it thrives in shallow freshwater environments such as streams, ponds, and marshes.

Scientific Name: The scientific name of the Narrow Ludwigia is Ludwigia arcuata.

Lighting Requirements: Narrow Ludwigia requires moderate to high lighting to maintain its vibrant colors, especially its reddish hues. It does best with 8 to 10 hours of light per day, and intense lighting will bring out the plant’s full coloration potential.

Care Level: This plant has a moderate care level, making it suitable for aquarists with some experience. Its care involves ensuring proper lighting, water quality, and nutrient levels to support healthy growth.

Preferred Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 68°F to 82°F (20°C to 28°C)
• pH Level: 6.0 to 7.5
• GH Level (General Hardness): 3 to 12 dGH
• KH Level (Carbonate Hardness): 3 to 8 dKH

Placement: Narrow Ludwigia is perfect for midground or background placement in aquascapes. Its vertical growth and fine leaves create a beautiful contrast with broader-leaved plants, adding depth and texture to the overall layout.

Growth Rate: Narrow Ludwigia has a moderate to fast growth rate, especially when provided with ideal lighting and nutrient-rich conditions. Regular trimming will help maintain its shape and prevent it from becoming too tall or leggy.

CO2 and Fertilizer:

• CO2 Supplementation: While not absolutely necessary, adding CO2 will encourage faster growth and enhance the plant’s color, especially in higher-light environments.
• Fertilizer: Supplementing with liquid fertilizers rich in micronutrients, particularly iron, is recommended to support healthy and vibrant growth.

Potential Problems:

• Legginess: In low-light conditions, Narrow Ludwigia can become leggy, with long spaces between leaves, detracting from its aesthetic appeal. Ensuring adequate lighting will help prevent this issue.
• Algae: Like many fast-growing plants, it can be susceptible to algae growth, especially if there is an imbalance in nutrients or light levels.

Compatible Fishes: Narrow Ludwigia is compatible with various peaceful fish species, including:

• Neon Tetras
• Corydoras Catfish
• Rasboras
• Cherry Shrimp
• Otocinclus

Other Suitable Plants: To create a visually appealing aquascape, Narrow Ludwigia pairs well with:

• Rotala rotundifolia
• Cryptocoryne wendtii
• Java Fern
• Amazon Sword

These plants complement the fine texture of Ludwigia’s leaves, adding contrast to your aquascape.

Tropical or Cold Water? Narrow Ludwigia thrives in tropical water conditions, with temperatures between 68°F and 82°F (20°C to 28°C).

What Fish Can Eat It? Narrow Ludwigia is generally not a target for herbivorous fish, making it safe for most community tanks. However, some larger plant-eating species may nibble on its leaves, though it is not a preferred food source.

A Fun Fact: Narrow Ludwigia is a favorite among aquascapers for creating vibrant color contrasts, especially in nature-style aquascapes. Its reddish tones under intense lighting can provide a striking visual accent against green plants, creating a dynamic and visually stimulating underwater landscape.