Ottelia mesenterium Care Guide
Ottelia mesenterium is a Sulawesi endemic of the family Hydrocharitaceae with strongly undulate leaves; a collector species that is very difficult to keep in aquaria.
Overview
Ottelia mesenterium is an aquatic plant in the family Hydrocharitaceae with the accepted name (Hallier f.) Hartog. It is characterised by strongly undulate (bullate) leaves and grows half-submerged, with the upper part of the leaves often reaching above the water surface. It is a sought-after collector species but is among the most difficult aquatic plants to maintain in aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Hydrocharitaceae
- Genus: Ottelia
- Scientific name: Ottelia mesenterium
- Authority: (Hallier f.) Hartog
- Homotypic synonym: Boottia mesenterium Hallier f.
Origin
The species is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, where it is found only in lakes Matano, Towuti and Mahalona of the Malili Lake System. Because of its restricted range it may be at least potentially endangered.
Habitat
It occurs in the clear, mineral waters of the Malili lakes at depths of roughly 0.8-3 m, where reported habitat temperatures are around 25-29 °C with neutral to slightly alkaline water. Leaf length is commonly 30-40 cm, with exceptional specimens reaching about one metre.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-28 °C
- pH: 7.0-8.5
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Lighting: medium
- CO2: recommended
- Substrate: nutrient-rich
- Maximum height: about 40 cm in cultivation
- Placement: midground
Planting & care
The plant is rooted in nutrient-rich substrate in hard, alkaline water with CO2 supplementation. It is slow growing and highly specialised to the conditions of the Malili lakes; many cultivation attempts have failed and it cannot be reliably recommended as an aquarium plant.
Propagation
Propagation is by seed.
Difficulty
The species is rated advanced. It is highly adapted to its native lake chemistry, and long-term success in aquaria is rare; the decisive factors for keeping it are not yet clearly understood.