Elodea canadensis

Scientific name: Elodea canadensis

Family: Hydrocharitaceae

Usual maximum size in aquariums: 25 - 140 cm (9.84 - 55.12 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.7 - 7.5

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 17°N (71.43 - 303.57ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 20 - 24 °C (68 - 75.2°F)

Reproduction of the plant: Cuttings

Origin (in the wild): North America

How fast these plants grow: Fast

Recommended substrate: Gravel

Demands on lighting: Bright

Ideal placement in a fish tank: Background

Family

Hydrocharitaceae

Common Name

Canadian water weeds

Origin

North America; it has now become an invasive plant in several other countries.

Propagation

Cuttings; simply take a cutting from the mother plant and remove the bottom leaves. This can then be placed into the substrate taking care not to crush the stem. In a short time the cutting will produce roots and a new plant is formed. This has to be one of the easiest plants to propagate and why it is so successful as an invasive plant. In the aquarium they will not spread unless you want them to by planting the cuttings.

Difficulty

Easy

Short Description

This is a very easy plant to care for in the aquarium and it can even be used as a floating plant to create shady areas. If the plant is planted into the substrate the stems will continue growing until the reach the water surface, even up to 3 metres in length. This is an invasive plants so care should be taken when disposing of any unwanted specimens. They should be bagged up and thrown into the bin, never throw them into waterways.

Healthy specimens will produce rich green leaves that grow in swirls along the stem, the leaves feel quite crunchy when pressed between the fingers but strangely enough they do not contain any nutritional value to fish, they act more as a natural reserve for insects and small crustaceans to dwell on. Some people will even add this plant to outdoor ponds but they will need trimming back on a regular basis.

If you allow the stems to grow above the water surface they will produce small white flowers but propagating by cross pollinating is not really a viable or successful option.