The Black Mangrove makes a unique and attractive addition to a home aquarium. It gets its name from the colour of its truck and heartwood. This particular species of mangrove grows in a bush-like form, as opposed to the tree-like form of the Red Mangrove. It has large, somewhat leathery, green leaves from which it expels salt. In the wild it can grow up to 12 meters.
They are found throughout the tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the Americas to Africa. Coastal mangrove groves provide important breeding grounds for many larger fish as well as permanent homes for smaller fish. As such, they are a vital component of the ocean’s ecosystem.
Recently, they have become popular additions to saltwater home aquariums. They can either be planted in the substrate or in between rocks and will quickly take hold. Unlike many other species of mangroves their roots are able to breathe when fully submerged. They can only be placed in open topped aquariums or in a tank with an open topped rear chamber. They can also be placed in a refugium, provided there is sufficient lighting. They require moderate intensity lighting in the 6000- 8000 k range. They are not tolerant of sudden swings in salinity and should not be placed in the same chamber as a tank’s ATO. Their leaves should be rinsed a couple of times a week to remove any salt buildup. They can be controlled through cutting, and newly cut stalks will often sprout new roots if placed half submerged in water.
Like all plants and macro algae, the Black Mangrove aids in nutrient control, specifically by reducing phosphates and nitrates in the tank. Their stockier appearance in comparison to Red Mangroves means that a single large specimen growing out of a tank makes for an interesting focal point.
Adding a Black Mangrove allows a hobbyist to take one more step towards creating a fully functioning ecosystem in their home aquarium.
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