Rotala 'Fujian' Care Guide
Rotala 'Fujian' is a Chinese locality form of Rotala rotundifolia with broader leaves and orange-pink colour under strong light and CO2.
Overview
Rotala 'Fujian' is a locality form of Rotala rotundifolia originating from Fujian province in southeastern China. It belongs to the family Lythraceae. Compared with the typical Rotala rotundifolia it has somewhat broader leaves, and under strong light and CO2 it develops a coppery orange to pink tone. It is used as a midground or background stem in planted aquariums.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lythraceae
- Genus: Rotala
- Scientific name: Rotala sp. 'Fujian'
- Related to: Rotala rotundifolia
- Common name: Fujian Rotala
Origin
The form is collected from Fujian, China and was introduced into the aquarium trade as a regional variant of the widespread Rotala rotundifolia. Emersed growth is green, while submersed in a planted tank the foliage takes on orange to pink hues.
Appearance
It grows as an upright stem with fine, narrow leaves that are broader than those of standard Rotala rotundifolia. Leaf colour ranges from light green and yellow through orange to pink depending on lighting; under high light it develops a darker orange hue. The vertical growth makes it suited to grouping in the midground.
Tank requirements
- Water type: freshwater
- Temperature: 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- pH: 5.5–7.0
- GH: 2–10 °dGH
- Lighting: high; stronger colour around 150–200 µmol PAR, with 80+ µmol promoting colour
- CO2: recommended for compact growth and rich colour
- Substrate: nutrient-rich
- Placement: midground
The plant tolerates lower light but colours best under high light with CO2 and stable parameters. Regular trimming keeps the group compact and dense; trimmed tops can be replanted.
Propagation
Propagation is by cuttings. Healthy tops are cut and replanted into the substrate, where they root and continue growing, while the remaining stems branch from the cut point to thicken the stand.