Tonina Fluviatilis

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Tonina

Synonyms

Tonina fluviatilis Aubl.

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Mexico, Central America, northern South America (Amazon basin)

Habitat

Shallow, slow-moving blackwater streams and rivulets, where it forms floating or emergent mats in soft, acidic, tannin-stained water

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Expert Only

Growth form

Stem

Max height

2 – 12 in (5.1 – 30 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Midground, Background

Water

Temperature

68 – 84 °F (20 – 29 °C)

pH

4.5 – 6.8

GH

0 – 5 dGH

dKH

0 – 4 dKH

PAR

50 – 80 PAR

Flow

Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Required

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

Medium

Colors

Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Rhizome division, Cuttings

Something wrong or missing? Submit a correction

Care guide

Overview

Whorled, star-shaped leaves in bright green radiate at intervals along slender, upright stems, giving each node a starburst appearance. This slow-growing Amazonian species demands soft, acidic blackwater conditions, low KH, high light, and injected CO2 to hold its form, making it a demanding choice reserved for experienced high-tech planted tank keepers.

Care

This stem plant demands consistently soft, acidic water with low KH (4 or below) to hold its form, along with strong lighting and injected CO2. It is not a strong root feeder, so its main challenge is stable water chemistry rather than substrate composition. Crowding neighboring fast growers can shade it out and cause older leaves to melt, so give it clear space and steady conditions rather than treating it as a beginner stem plant.

Planting & trimming

Plant small clippings of 1 to 3 inches directly into an acidic, fine-grained substrate; longer cuttings tend to develop scraggly water roots before settling in. A tight grouping of stems staggered by height gives the best aquascape effect. Trim the tops periodically to encourage lateral shoot formation, since untouched stems grow straight up with little branching.

Fertilizing

Water-column fertilization matters more than root feeding, since the root system stays underdeveloped even by stem-plant standards. Keep nitrate and phosphate from ever bottoming out, and supply ample iron and micronutrients for good coloration. Fertilizer dosing does not need to be heavy, but consistency is more important than quantity.

Propagation

Propagate from side shoots that form along the mature stem, snipping them off once they reach a few centimeters long and replanting as fresh cuttings. Floating cut stems near the surface can help trigger lateral meristem growth in plants that are reluctant to branch. Because natural side-shoot formation is slow, propagation output is limited and cuttings should be handled gently.

Problems

Under suboptimal light, CO2, or hardness, older leaves develop transparent spots and eventually melt away, leaving a thin, ratty stem. Crowding accelerates this decline, so adequate spacing and flow around the base help prevent rot. Because it grows slowly, algae can also become a problem if lighting and nutrients are not balanced carefully.

Sources

1. Tonina fluviatilis Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
2. Tonina fluviatilis - Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
3. Tonina Fluviatilis | Barr Report Forum - Aquarium Plants
4. Tonina fluviatilis care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud

More Stem plants

Alternanthera Amabilis TricolorAlternanthera Bettzickiana GreenAlternanthera Bettzickiana RedAlternanthera LilacinaAlternanthera Red Broad LeafAlternanthera Reineckii