Staurogyne Bihar

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

null

Synonyms

Hygrophila sp. 'Roraima'

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Brazil (Rondônia, Roraima)

Habitat

Shaded stream and river margins in the Amazon basin of western Brazil, growing along soft substrate banks that are periodically submerged.

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Growth form

Carpeting

Max height

2 – 4 in (5.1 – 10 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Moderate

Placement

Foreground, Midground, Carpet

Water

Temperature

68 – 82 °F (20 – 28 °C)

pH

5.5 – 7.5

GH

2 – 10 dGH

dKH

0 – 10 dKH

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Medium

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

Medium

Colors

Green, Brown, Purple

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings, Runners, Splitting

Something wrong or missing? Submit a correction

Care guide

Overview

Staurogyne sp. Bihar is an uncommon Acanthaceae species first mistaken for a Hygrophila until flowering confirmed its genus. Submerged growth resembles Hygrophila pinnatifida, with leaf color ranging from deep green to reddish brown, and it shares the creeping carpet habit, moderate care demands, and CO2 responsiveness typical of its relatives.

Care

A low creeping plant that hugs the substrate in a manner similar to ivy, making it a reliable choice for filling in the foreground of an aquascape. It grows more slowly and is somewhat fussier than the closely related Staurogyne repens, doing best with medium to high light, a rich substrate, and supplemental CO2. Given weak light or poor nutrients it tends to stretch upward instead of spreading, so keepers aiming for a dense mat should prioritize even light coverage over intensity alone.

Planting & trimming

Plant small clumps a couple of centimeters apart in a grid across the foreground so the individual portions knit together into a continuous carpet over time. Push roots gently into the substrate and weigh or pin them down until anchored, since loose portions tend to float in the early weeks. Trim across the top periodically once established, since cutting the entire group encourages lateral spread and hides the trimming line better than removing large chunks at once.

Fertilizing

Root tabs pushed into the substrate around the base support steady growth, and a balanced liquid fertilizer dosed weekly helps sustain the carpet once it fills in. Iron supplementation intensifies the grayish-purple sheen that develops on the leaves under strong light. Yellowing leaves or stalled growth usually point to a nutrient shortfall rather than disease, and are best corrected with more consistent dosing.

Propagation

Propagates readily from head cuttings and side shoots produced after trimming, which can be replanted directly to thicken the carpet. Established mats also spread via runners along the substrate, and mature clumps can be lifted and split into smaller sections for replanting elsewhere in the tank.

Problems

New plantings often shed a few older leaves while roots establish, which is normal and not a sign of failure. Algae fouling on the leaves is the most common complaint and typically traces back to excess light relative to available nutrients or weak flow across the carpet. Reducing photoperiod slightly, increasing fertilization, and improving circulation usually resolve the issue without needing to remove the plant.

Sources

1. Staurogyne sp. "Porto Velho" - Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
2. Staurogyne Porto Velho care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
3. Staurogyne Porto Velho Care Guide | Melbourne Tropical
4. Staurogyne sp. "Porto Velho" - fishywiki

Varieties in the catalog

Staurogyne sp Porto Velho

More Crypts

Cryptocoryne Affinis RedCryptocoryne Albida CostataCryptocoryne AponogetifoliaCryptocoryne AxelrodiCryptocoryne BalansaeCryptocoryne Beckettii