Red Mangrove

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

American mangrove; Caribbean red mangrove

Synonyms

Rhizophora americana

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Florida, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Central America, northern South America, West Africa

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical intertidal shorelines, estuaries, and lagoons, rooting in soft tidal mud where fresh and salt water mix

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Least Concern

Care

Care level

Moderate

Growth form

Upright

Max height

6 – 48 in (15 – 122 cm)

Spread

16 in (41 cm)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Background

Water

Temperature

72 – 83 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

7.0 – 8.4

dKH

8 – 12 dKH

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Not needed

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Roots

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Plantlets

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Care guide

Overview

Suited to reef systems and refugiums where a keeper wants a living nutrient export tool rather than a submerged plant, since the tree grows its leaves in open air above the waterline. The pencil-shaped propagule is rooted point-down in substrate or a pot, and its roots draw down nitrate and phosphate as they establish. Expect slow but steady growth under strong overhead light and periodic rinsing of salt crust from the foliage.

Care

This is a true woody tree rather than a typical aquatic plant, kept in the hobby by rooting its floating propagules in substrate while the stem and leaves grow up into open air. It needs strong overhead lighting focused on the emersed foliage, since the leaves are photosynthesizing outside the water, and an open-top tank, sump, or paludarium with plenty of vertical clearance. Growth is slow but the plant is otherwise tough, tolerating a wide swing of salinity from fresh to full seawater once acclimated gradually. The root system is extensive and can eventually stress glass or acrylic seams, so many keepers confine it to a removable pot.

Planting & trimming

Plant the pencil-shaped propagule point-down with the root end wedged in substrate or rockwork, leaving the growing tip and leaves above the waterline so they develop in open air. A deep bed of fine sand or mud rich in nutrients suits the roots best, though the plant can also be grown hydroponically with roots simply suspended in water. Because roots expand aggressively over years, use a large, removable pot to make future relocation easier and to protect the tank seams.

Fertilizing

Most nutrient uptake happens through the roots, so a nutrient-rich, muddy or sandy substrate matters more than dosing the water column, and root tabs or a mineralized substrate speed establishment. Supplemental iron and magnesium help prevent the leaf yellowing that shows up under deficiency, and refugium or reef tank nutrient loads (nitrate and phosphate) are readily absorbed by the roots as free fertilizer. Growth is slow enough that heavy fertilizing is rarely required once the plant is established.

Propagation

Propagation is via the viviparous, cigar-shaped propagules the tree drops, which are already partially developed seedlings that root readily when planted point-down in substrate. New plants are not grown from true seed or cuttings in the hobby; simply obtaining and planting fresh propagules is the standard method. Growth afterward is slow, so scaling up a display with home-grown propagules takes patience.

Problems

The most common issue is salt buildup on the emersed leaves, which forms a visible crust and should be rinsed off with fresh water every few days to keep the foliage healthy. Magnesium or iron shortfalls typically show up as yellowing leaves rather than outright melt. Dropped leaves should be removed promptly before they decompose and foul the water, and the plant responds poorly to heavy pruning so trimming should be limited to pinching new growth.

Sources

1. Mangroves for the Marine Aquarium by Anthony Calfo - Reefkeeping.com
2. Red mangrove care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
3. Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) Care Guide & Plant Profile | Guidarium
4. FPS502/FP502: Rhizophora mangle: Red Mangrove

Varieties in the catalog

Live Red Mangrove