Cryptocoryne beckettii

Quick facts

Max height

15 cm

Growth rate

slow

Difficulty

beginner

Placement

foreground, midground

Propagation

runners

Water parameters

Temperature

20–28°C

pH

5.5 to 8.0

Hardness

1 to 20 dGH

Cold water

tolerated (unheated setups)

Light and nutrients

Lighting

low

CO2

not required, but boosts growth and color

Substrate

rooted

Feeding

feeds from both water column and roots (liquid ferts plus root tabs)

Substrate

What this plant roots into (or attaches to). The substrate affects both plant nutrition and water chemistry; see each linked page for full effects.

This plant feeds primarily from the water column, so substrate choice matters more for its fish-tank compatibility than for plant nutrition.

With fish

Plant-eating fish

will be eaten by mollies, silver dollars, large goldfish, and other plant-grazers

Diggers (corydoras, loaches)

may get uprooted by active diggers

Root-disturbing fish

sensitive to root disturbance, plant where roots stay undisturbed

Habitat

Native to Sri Lanka, where it grows in slow-moving streams, pool margins, and seasonal flood zones, both submerged and semi-emersed. The species (Cryptocoryne beckettii) is a compact, versatile Cryptocoryne with olive-green to reddish-brown leaves depending on light intensity and water chemistry. Leaves are broadly lanceolate, 8–15 cm long, with slightly wavy margins and a slightly hammered surface texture. The coloring is notably variable: under moderate light, leaves are olive green with brown undertones on the reverse; under higher light, they develop more intense reddish-brown to bronze tones on both surfaces. First described in the early 20th century from Sri Lankan collections, the species has been a mainstay of the aquarium plant trade for decades. One of the most commonly available Cryptocorynes and a reliable midground choice for community tanks.

Care notes

Easy Cryptocoryne for beginners and experienced keepers alike. Tolerates low to moderate light, no CO2 injection, and a broad range of water parameters (pH 6.0-8.0, GH 3-18, soft to moderately hard water). Plant the root crown at substrate level with roots buried in at least 3–4 cm of substrate. Root tabs or nutrient-rich substrate supports better growth and color, but the plant survives in plain gravel with minimal fertilization, just more slowly. Growth rate is moderate: roughly one new leaf every 1-2 weeks once the plant is settled. Under higher light, the reddish-brown leaf pigmentation intensifies, producing an attractive warm tone. CO2 improves growth speed and fullness but is not necessary for a healthy, established plant. Like all Cryptocorynes, susceptible to melt when conditions change. Newly purchased specimens often lose their emersed-grown nursery leaves as the plant transitions to submerged growth; the new submerged leaves are thinner, slightly translucent, and display more color variation. Don't discard the plant during melt; leave the roots in the substrate and wait 2-4 weeks. Propagation by underground runners; daughter plants appear 5–10 cm from the parent. A starter group of 3-5 plants fills in a cohesive midground section over several months. Temperature: 22–28°C.

Further reading

• How to cycle a fish tank
• Water chemistry for fishkeepers: pH, GH, KH, and what they mean