Tonina sp. 'Belem' care guide
Tonina sp. 'Belem' (Tonina sp. 'Belem') — high light, 22-28 °C, pH 5-6, CO2 recommended.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Tonina sp. 'Belem' (Tonina sp. 'Belem') is an aquatic plant of the family Eriocaulaceae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an advanced-level species. It is typically grown under high light with pressurised CO2 injection on nutrient-rich aquasoil. A highly sought-after collector plant with dense star-shaped whorls of leaves stacked along the stem. One of the most beautiful and demanding aquarium plants, requiring extremely soft, acidic water.
Taxonomy
- Family: Eriocaulaceae
- Genus: Tonina
- Scientific name: Tonina sp. 'Belem'
- Common synonyms: Star Plant Belem
Habitat
Tonina is a small Neotropical genus of Eriocaulaceae from the Amazon basin and adjacent blackwater systems of South America. The plants grow rooted in mineral-poor, acidic and very soft waters. In the Aquairi knowledge base, populations associated with this form are recorded from Brazil.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: high
- CO2: recommended
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 5-6
- GH: 0-3 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil
- Maximum height: 20 cm
- Growth rate: slow
- Recommended placement: midground
Placement
Midground stem with whorls of needle-like leaves. Requires nutrient-rich aquasoil, soft water with low TDS and pressurised CO2 for sustained submersed growth. In the Aquairi knowledge base this form is recommended for the midground under high light with pressurised CO2 injection, using nutrient-rich aquasoil.
Propagation
Propagated by cuttings; healthy tops replanted into nutrient-rich substrate root within days under stable conditions. Documented propagation techniques for this entry include: stem cuttings.
Common issues
Sudden hardness increase, elevated nitrate or unstable CO2 trigger a slow decline. Soft, acidic blackwater chemistry maintains compact upright growth.
Propagating Tonina sp. 'Belem' from Cuttings
Overview
Tonina sp. 'Belem' is a highly sought-after collector plant with dense star-shaped whorls of leaves stacked along the stem. It belongs to the family Eriocaulaceae; the type species Tonina fluviatilis is native to Central and northern South America, including northern Brazil and the Guianas, where it grows as a water-loving subshrub valued for its pleasing leaf shape.
Propagation Method (Cuttings)
'Belem' is propagated by cuttings and lateral-shoot division. As a slow-growing Eriocaulaceae it does not tolerate having all its growth heads cut at once, so you harvest the tallest heads selectively and leave the rest to keep the plant alive and developing.
Step-by-Step
- Choose the tallest, healthiest growth head and pick it off where it joins the main stem.
- Leave at least a couple of growth heads on the parent so it continues to grow.
- Strip the lowest leaves from the cutting to expose a short bare stem section.
- Replant the bare stem firmly into aquasoil and keep water very soft while it roots.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
Use a nutrient-rich, acidic aquasoil substrate, provide strong unshaded light, and run CO2 injection. Keep water extremely soft and acidic; these conditions mimic the soft blackwater habitats this plant group comes from and are essential for stable growth.
Trimming & Maintenance
Trim gently and infrequently. Slow-growing star plants of this type are usually replanted only every few months, harvesting the tallest heads each time and replanting the strongest sections to maintain a dense, healthy group.
Common Challenges
Melting from hard water or sudden parameter changes is the most common failure, and shading or weak light stunts the plant. Aggressive trimming that removes every growth head can kill the stem. Keep KH near zero, lighting strong, CO2 steady, and trimming minimal.