Bucephalandra Dark Phantom

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Buce Dark Phantom

Synonyms

Bucephalandra 'Red Central'

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Borneo (Indonesia, Malaysia)

Habitat

Grows attached to rocks along fast-flowing streams and riverbanks in Bornean rainforest, often partially submerged or in splash zones

Sourcing

Both

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Rhizome

Max height

1 – 4 in (2.5 – 10 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Foreground, Midground

Water

Temperature

70 – 80 °F (21 – 27 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

PAR

20 – 50 PAR

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Low

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Not needed

Feeds from

Water column

Fertilizer needs

Low

Colors

Green, Red, Brown

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Rhizome division

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Care guide

Overview

Bucephalandra Dark Phantom is a Bornean rhizome plant valued for its dark green to nearly black leaves and dense, compact habit. In the wild it clings to rocks in flowing streams, a behavior mirrored in the aquarium by tying it to hardscape rather than planting it. Growth stays slow and manageable under low to medium light.

Care

Bucephalandra Red Central is one of the hardiest plants available for the planted aquarium, tolerating a wide range of light levels and water chemistry as long as the rhizome stays attached to hardscape rather than buried in substrate. Growth is very slow, so it holds its shape and placement for long periods without frequent trimming. It handles both low-tech and CO2-injected setups, though supplemental CO2 and stable water chemistry bring out deeper red and bronze tones in the leaf centers. Sudden shifts in lighting or parameters are the most common trigger for leaf melt in newly acquired specimens.

Planting & trimming

Attach the rhizome to driftwood or rock using cotton thread, fine fishing line, or cyanoacrylate glue, keeping the rhizome itself exposed to water rather than pressed into substrate or covered in biofilm. Once roots take hold on the hardscape within a few weeks, any ties can be removed. Trimming is rarely needed given the slow growth rate, but old or melted leaves should be snipped off individually to keep the rhizome healthy.

Fertilizing

Root tabs are of little use since the rhizome should never be buried, so nutrition comes primarily through the water column via liquid fertilizers. A broad-spectrum liquid fertilizer containing iron and trace elements supports new leaf coloration and helps prevent pale or translucent new growth. Under low-tech conditions with minimal dosing, growth simply slows further rather than showing acute deficiency symptoms.

Propagation

Propagate by cutting a healthy section of rhizome containing at least a few leaves and several growth nodes with clean scissors, then reattach the piece to a new area of hardscape or let it float until roots emerge. Each division can be tied down separately and will continue growing independently once established.

Problems

Newly planted or shipped specimens commonly show leaf melt as they adjust to new water parameters and lighting, particularly if conditions change abruptly; established plants are far more resilient. Because the rhizome and leaves grow slowly and stay in place for extended periods, algae can accumulate on older leaves in high-light or nutrient-rich tanks, so occasional manual removal or the addition of grazing shrimp helps keep foliage clean. Rot at the rhizome usually indicates it has been buried or is pressed too tightly against a surface without airflow.

Sources

1. Bucephalandra Red Central | Buce Plant
2. Bucephalandra Red Central – H2O Plants
3. Bucephalandra Red Central for Blackwater Aquariums | Betta Botanicals
4. Bucephalandra Red Central | Rare Aquarium Buce Canada

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