Cuphea Annagalloidea

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Rotala sp. Araguaia

Synonyms

Rotala sp. "Araguaia" (trade misnomer)

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Brazil

Habitat

Sandy riverbanks, marshlands, and seasonally flooded soils in clear, soft, acidic, sunlit waters; grows emersed along margins and submersed during high water.

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Difficult

Growth form

Stem

Max height

2 – 11.8 in (5.1 – 30 cm)

Spread

0.8 in (2 cm)

Growth rate

Moderate

Placement

Foreground, Midground

Water

Temperature

68 – 79 °F (20 – 26 °C)

pH

4.5 – 7.0

dKH

0 – 7 dKH

PAR

35 – 50 PAR

Flow

Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Required

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Green, Red, Orange

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

First introduced to the hobby from Brazilian riverbank and marshland habitats, this stem plant was long traded under the misnomer Rotala sp. "Araguaia." Fine, thin stems carry leaves that shift from plain green to orange-red depending on light intensity, and are best planted in dense clusters. Suited to experienced keepers running strong light, injected CO2, and steady nutrient dosing.

Care

This is a demanding stem plant that only shows its best orange-red coloration under strong light and consistent CO2 injection; under weaker conditions it reverts to plain green and grows leggy. Stems are thin and narrow, so it is usually planted in dense groups rather than as single specimens, letting the cluster form a solid patch of color in the foreground or midground. Stable water parameters and steady nutrient dosing matter more with this species than with most easier stem plants, since it responds poorly to fluctuations.

Planting & trimming

Plant stems in the substrate in tight groups, spacing individual cuttings about 1 centimeter apart so lower leaves are not shaded out by neighbors. A nutrient-rich substrate with root tabs helps young cuttings establish before they rely mostly on water column feeding. Trim the growing tips regularly to encourage bushy lateral branching and prevent the base of the stems from thinning out and losing leaves.

Fertilizing

Feed primarily through the water column with a complete liquid fertilizer dosed weekly, since the fine root system mainly anchors the plant rather than drawing significant nutrients from the substrate. Root tabs placed near the base can still help it settle in after planting. Yellowing leaves or stunted growth usually point to insufficient nutrients or inadequate CO2 rather than disease, and correcting dosing typically resolves the issue within a couple of weeks.

Propagation

Propagation is by simple top and lateral cuttings, as with most stem plants. Snip a few centimeters from a healthy shoot tip and replant it directly into the substrate, where it roots quickly under adequate light and CO2. Repeated topping of the main stems also encourages branching, which naturally produces more cutting material over time.

Problems

Lower leaf loss shortly after planting is common as the stems adjust to submersed life, and it usually stops once light, CO2, and fertilizer are kept stable. Algae can build up on the slow-growing leaves if light is too intense relative to nutrient supply or flow is weak, so trimming affected leaves and balancing inputs helps. Sudden swings in CO2 or nutrient levels tend to cause stunted growth and leaf drop more readily than in hardier stem plants.

Sources

1. Cuphea anagalloidea - Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
2. Cuphea anagalloidea care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
3. Cuphea Anagalloidea | Barr Report Forum - Aquarium Plants
4. Cuphea anagalloidea Aquatic Plant Care | Atlarium

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