Plant Profiles

Utricularia gibba

Live freshwater plant Utricularia gibba - Floating Bladderwort for fish tanks and aquariums Large bunch or portion of aquatic plant Utricularia gibba - Floating Bladderwort. Aquarium plant with fast delivery across Australia.
Utricularia gibba
Floating Bladderwort
$7.95

Utricularia gibba, commonly known as humped or floating bladderwort, is a fascinating aquatic plant that can make a unique addition to the aquarium or pond. This native Australian plant has no true roots or leaves, growing with only stolons with alternating bladder-traps.

Utricularia gibba is a carnivorous plant that gets its nutrients by using these traps to catch small aquatic organisms. When the bristles near the opening of the these bladder-traps are triggered (by small organisms such as water fleas or mosquito larvae), the trap swiftly opens and draws the prey inside through a rapid inflow of water. With age, their bladder traps become black in colour - likely due to bacteria and food content. This is also one of the easiest aquatic bladderworts to grow, making it an excellent low maintenance plant for aquariums and ponds.

Utricularia gibba is relatively easy to care for and is best grown as a floating plant. The plant prefers high light conditions and soft, slightly acidic water. It is, however, very tolerant of a range of conditions and will still thrive in low light conditions. It will also tolerate quite cold temperatures from 12 to 30°C. Despite its carnivorous adaption to tolerate water with very low nutrient levels, it can actually tolerate fairly high water level nutrients and does not seem to lose its bladder-traps in these conditions. In fact higher nutrient levels, along with supplemental CO2, will give it a much 'leafier' look and increase its growth rate.

In ponds, Utricularia gibba will provide shelter for fish by growing as a mat on the surface of the water, where it will also produce small, bright yellow flowers that emerge from the water surface on thin stalks. These flowers can be a stunning addition to any aquarium or pond and are sure to attract attention. It is a fast grower and is easily propagated by separation of the stems.

Overall, this is is a unique and fascinating native plant that can make a great addition to any aquatic environment. Its delicate leaves, bright yellow flowers, and carnivorous nature make it one of the more interesting floating options available for your aquarium or pond.

Requirements and information

Temperature:

TropicalWarmCold

Substrate type:

CoarseFine

Substrate nutrients:

Low

Water nutrients:

Low

Light demand:

Low

CO2:

Low

Height:

Low

Growth rate:

Vigorous

Growth habit:

Stem

Floating

Difficulty:

Easy

Native to: