Rooted Sprouted Mangrove

The Red Mangrove makes a unique and attractive addition to a home aquarium. The stalks of the Red Mangrove are generally red in colour (hence its name) and the leaves are green. In the wild, they are found in many regions of the world in tropical and subtropical waters. They are found in coastal areas or surrounding islands and can grow in brackish, salt or freshwater. It is very fast growing and is considered an invasive species in some regions, such as Hawaii. They provide habitat for small fish as well as for juvenile members of larger species. As such, they are a key part of the ecosystem.

In recent years 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. They can only be placed in open topped aquariums or a tank with a custom cut-out in the lid. They require moderate intensity lighting in the 6000-8000 k range. They do not have any other specific care requirements but benefit from additions of iron supplements and trace elements. The leaves should also be periodically rinsed with fresh water to prevent salt buildup. This mimics rainfall in the wild. It is also important that any leaves that fall into the aquarium are removed promptly to prevent them from decaying.

Like all plants and macro algae added to a home aquarium, the Red Mangrove will absorb nutrients from the water and will help to reduce levels of phosphate and nitrate. For a hobbyist who wishes to create a true ecosystem in their home tank the addition of mangroves allows for the natural export of nutrients. Not only is the Red Mangrove efficient at exporting nutrients, the addition of mangroves growing out of a reef tank makes for a truly unique aquascape. In addition, the mangrove can be harvested and planted in a pot and kept as a house plant provided it is provided with ample water and fertilizer.

Adding a Red Mangrove to a reef tank (or any other aquarium) creates a unique combination of terrestrial and aquatic elements.