Staurogyne repens

Staurogyne repens is a fresh green, compact, and hardy plant for the aquarium’s foreground that was discovered in the River Rio Cristalino in the southern Amazonas. Its closest aquatic relative is Hygrophila, but Staurogyne stands out with its compact, low and bushy stature (5-10 cm) and small green leaves (each stem is 3.4 cm wide). When planting in the aquarium, cut off the longest upright shoots and new, horizontally creeping shoots will form from the plant base and gradually colonise the gravel. When exposed to low light, growth becomes more upright, with fewer side shoots.

Staurogyne repens is taller than carpet plants like Utricularia graminifolia but much shorter than typical stem plants. It grows densely and hugs the hardscape in higher light levels. It is ideal for placing between carpeting plants and taller mid/background plants. Staurogyne repens is a South American species that has gained popularity in the hobby due to its versatility in aquascaping. It is a short green stem plant that grows into dense bushes in bright light. Its short height and ability to be pruned into nice contours make it ideal for aquascaping. It easily blends with other plants and is useful in aquascapes that want to express a sense of natural plant mixing. Higher light levels cause the plant to spread sideways to neighbouring areas with a creeping stem, whereas lower light levels cause the plant to grow vertically with longer internodes, similar to a typical stem plant. The plant will also grow more upright in crowded conditions. Because it does not grow as quickly as other common stem plants, it is easily shaded by more aggressive growers. As a result, it is best positioned in the tank’s middle or foreground, with some space between it and the surrounding plants, where it can receive unobstructed light. Because it does not grow as quickly as other common stem plants, it is easily shaded by more aggressive growers. As a result, it is best positioned in the tank’s middle or foreground, with some space between it and the surrounding plants, where it can receive unobstructed light.

It grows well in aquasoil or clay-soils, but because of its hardiness, it will also grow in inert substrate as long as there are other ways for it to obtain nutrients.

This is a problem that is specific to Staurogyne repens. When conditions are unstable and the tank fluctuates, or when the plant is still acclimating to a new tank, it is vulnerable to a type of melting that spreads to neighbouring plants (both adjacent staurogyne plants as well as other species). It is unknown what exactly causes this, such as a virus or bacteria. Its occurrence, however, has been frequent enough for us to study its general progression in a tank. It usually begins with pale, translucent brown patches on the leaf (red circle below), then spreads to neighbouring plants, eventually melting entire leaves. This melting is frequently spread to other plant species. However, the bare stems can often recover after the melting process is complete. As of now (2021), there is no known cure, but improving overall growth conditions can help the batch of plants recover faster. Tank instability and large parameter shifts, such as ammonia spikes, can cause melting. It is much more common in new setups and newly planted plants, and it is extremely rare in established plants.

Important success factors

Insufficient light promotes vertical growth while sufficient light promotes lateral growth. It is recommended that at least 50umols of PAR be present on the substrate level.

Melting is prevented by overall tank stability and biological maturity. More information can be found here.

CO2 injection improves plant density, leaf size, and health.

Grows well in hard water and can withstand a wide range of water parameters.

Inadequate fertilisation results in patchy or pale-colored leaves; fertilisation should be done on a regular basis, either through the rootzone or the water column.

Trimming and propagation: Staurogyne repens responds well to trimming. If you cut the creeping rhizome or stem at a leaf node, the remaining stem will sprout new shoots. Staurogyne repens bushes tolerate overcrowding well, which means they can grow large and dense over time without suffering too much, making them ideal for low-maintenance aquascapes. Overcrowding causes lower portions of bushes to deteriorate. This means that large bushes that are not regularly trimmed may have mostly bare stems in the lower levels. As a result, the aquarist has two options. You can trim the Staurogyne repens bush frequently and low, allowing the bush to rejuvenate itself, or you can trim it once in a long time, by which time the bottoms may have deteriorated and you will need to replant the tops. As with other stem plants, propagation is simple. Simply cut a length of the top shoot (around an inch or longer to make planting easier) and plant straight into the substrate.

Is CO2 required for Staurogyne repens?
Staurogyne repens is a robust and vital plant that prefers medium to high light levels and CO2 supplementation. Staurogyne repens necessitates fertilisation as well.

Staurogyne repens grows to what size?
Its closest aquatic relative is Hygrophila, but Staurogyne stands out with its compact, low and bushy stature (5-10 cm) and small green leaves (each stem is 3.4 cm wide).

Is Staurogyne Repen contagious?
Because it grows slowly, you won’t have to trim it as frequently, and when you do, the cuttings can be used to start new plants. It’s extremely simple to spread. The most important thing to remember is to keep Staurogyne repens away from any fish that is known to eat plants.

Is Staurogyne repens simple to treat?
Staurogyne repens is an excellent freshwater aquarium plant for aquarists of all skill levels. It’s an easy-to-care-for plant that adds to the aesthetic of your tank. Staurogyne repens is, in fact, one of the best carpet plants available.