Plant Profiles

Hemianthus callitrichoides

Live freshwater plant Hemianthus callitrichoides - HC Cuba for fish tanks and aquariums Large bunch or portion of aquatic plant Hemianthus callitrichoides - HC Cuba. Aquarium plant with fast delivery across Australia.
Hemianthus callitrichoides
HC Cuba
$9.95

Hemianthus callitrichoides, often referred to as HC Cuba, is a highly sought-after aquatic plant among aquarium enthusiasts and aquascapers. Originating from Caribbean, this plant is cherished for its low and dense growth, making it an excellent choice for creating intricate and visually appealing aquascapes.

HC Cuba is characterised by its tiny, vibrant green leaves that make it one of the smallest aquarium plants in the hobby. Its diminutive size and relatively fast growth enable it to form a dense carpet across the aquarium substrate, creating a striking lawn-like effect. When planted densely and provided with the right conditions, HC Cuba produces a beautiful and uniform foreground that contrasts elegantly with other plants in the aquarium.

Cultivating HC Cuba can be both rewarding and challenging. This plant requires ample lighting, ideally in the high to very high range, to thrive. CO2 supplementation is essential to promote healthy growth and maintain the plant's compact form. Compared to Micranthemum 'Monte Carlo', Hemianthus callitrichoides requires far higher dissolved CO2 levels to grow well underwater.

Planting HC Cuba involves dividing it into small portions and planting them across the substrate to encourage carpet formation. Regular pruning is essential to maintain its compact appearance, as it has relatively shallow roots that can result in it lifting itself off the substrate when it becomes overgrown.

Despite its demands, Hemianthus callitrichoides, or HC Cuba, remains a highly sought-after choice for aquascaping due to its tiny leaves and the intricate landscapes it can create within aquariums. This is a species particularly suited for the high-tech aquarium, where it will contribute significantly to the creation of depth and scale within the aquascape.

Requirements and information

Temperature:
TropicalWarmCold

Substrate type:
FineCoarse 

Substrate nutrients:

Medium

Water nutrients:

Medium

Light demand:

High

CO2:

High

Height:

Low

Growth rate:

Moderate

Growth habit:

Creeping

Difficulty:

Advanced

Native to: