Plant Profiles

Ottelia alismoides

Live freshwater plant Ottelia alismoides - Duck Lettuce for fish tanks and aquariums Large bunch or portion of aquatic plant Ottelia alismoides - Duck Lettuce. Aquarium plant with fast delivery across Australia.
Ottelia alismoides
Duck Lettuce
$28.95

Ottelia alismoides, also known as Duck Lettuce, is an unusual native Australian plant that is great for native tropical ponds and larger aquariums. Its crisp, green, cup-shaped leaves are produced in a rosette, growing up from the substrate to sit just below the water surface. This is an excellent choice for those looking for a plant that won't breach the water surface except for its small yellow and white flowers.

This plant belongs to the Hydrocharitaceae family, and like most Ottelia species, can be quite finicky about water parameters. Moderate to bright lighting is recommended, and under high lighting the leaves will develop a red tinge. It does best in temperatures between 22–32°C and in water between a pH of 6.5 to 9.0. This plant thrives in various water hardness levels, with an ideal range of 3-10 dKH. When these conditions are met it is quite resilient and grows very large, quickly producing new leaves. CO2 supplementation makes this plant easier to grow in aquariums.

An interesting fact about Ottelia alismoides is that it is the only known plant that uses all three of the following photosynthesis methods: C4 photosynthesis, Crassulacean acid metabolism, and biogenic decalcification. Biogenic decalcification means that in high light situations like ponds, where calcium bicarbonate levels are high but dissolved carbon dioxide is low, this plant will split the calcium bicarbonate molecules, use the carbon to grow, and the left over calcium carbonate then precipitates onto the leaf surface.

Ottelia alismoides will certainly create an eye-catching focal point in the aquarium or pond. Ensure it is planted into a nutrient rich substrate, as it is fairly similar to Echinodorus species in its fertilisation requirements. This plant is an excellent choice for those looking to create a beautiful native aquatic environment.

Requirements and information

Temperature:

TropicalWarmCold

Substrate type:

CoarseFine

Substrate nutrients:

High

Water nutrients:

Medium

Light demand:

Medium

CO2:

Medium

Height:

Tall

Growth rate:

Vigorous

Growth habit:

Rosette

Difficulty:

Advanced

Native to: