Plant Profiles

Azolla rubra

Live freshwater plant Azolla rubra - Pacific Azolla for fish tanks and aquariums Large bunch or portion of aquatic plant Azolla rubra - Pacific Azolla. Aquarium plant with fast delivery across Australia.
Azolla rubra
Pacific Azolla
$5.95

Azolla rubra, commonly called Pacific Azolla or the Red Water Fern, is an attractive native aquatic plant with a decorative moss-like appearance. It is a free-floating plant which can grow red or green depending on water parameters.

Azolla rubra is a fast growing plant which is also easy to care for. It will grow in a large range of water parameters and can tolerate cold temperatures down to 5°C. It will grow best under medium to high lighting and is a good choice for ponds in colder climates.

This species is often confused for Azolla filiculoides which used to be known in Australia as Azolla filiculoides var. rubra. It has since been classified as its own species: Azolla rubra. Azolla filiculoides is now considered a distinct species, only native to the Americas; while Azolla rubra is endemic to Australia and New Zealand.

Azolla rubra is well suited for cold climates. Compared to Australia's other native Azolla species, Azolla pinnata, there are are a few key differences in growth habit. Azolla pinnata is the more tropical species and generally grows smaller, with thinner leaves. Azolla rubra is sturdier, with more rounded rather than pointy lobes. It is also more tolerant of excess nutrients in the water column. Azolla pinnata tends to turn red more easily, but Azolla rubra will also grow red when nitrates are low in the water column.

Azolla rubra has distinctive fronds that are small, lobed, and finely dissected. They form compact clusters that break apart when they grow large enough, propagating across the surface of the water. Under favourable conditions Azolla can reproduce rapidly, forming dense cover that provides shade and shelter for aquatic organisms while reducing nutrient levels. This plant is larger than duckweed, and grows to about 2cm in diameter. The roots of Pacific Azolla are tiny and hair-like, which allows the plant to absorb nutrients directly from the water.

Requirements and information

Temperature:
TropicalWarmCold

Substrate type:
None

Substrate nutrients:
None

Water nutrients:

Medium

Light demand:

Medium

CO2:

Low

Height:

Low

Growth rate:

Vigorous

Growth habit:

Floating

Difficulty:

Easy

Native to: