Scientific Name and Family
Scientific Name: Azolla caroliniana
Family: Salviniaceae
Description and Requirements
Difficulty: Very Easy / Beginner-friendly
Growth Rate: Fast
Lighting: Medium to High (Stays bright green under moderate light; develops stunning reddish-purple hues under intense lighting or direct sunlight).
CO2: Not required (as a floating plant, it utilizes atmospheric $CO_2$).
Water Parameters
Temperature: 15°C - 28°C (59°F - 82°F). Highly adaptable to both indoor tanks and outdoor ponds.
pH: 5.0 - 7.5
Hardness (GH): Soft to medium
Compatibility and Placement
Placement: Strictly a floating plant.
Compatibility: Provides the perfect natural habitat for surface-dwelling fish, bubble-nest builders (like Bettas and Gouramis), and excellent cover for delicate shrimp and fry.
Fish Caution: Large herbivorous fish (like Goldfish or large Cichlids) may graze on it.
Plant Tips & Recommendations
Pro Tip 1: Unlocking the Red Color: Highlight to your customers that achieving the signature crimson-red look requires high lighting. It acts as a stunning visual indicator of high-intensity light setups and looks beautiful in rimless tanks or open ponds.
Pro Tip 2: Natural Algae Control: Due to its rapid growth rate, Azolla is a powerful nutrient sponge that effectively absorbs excess nitrates and phosphates, starving out nuisance algae.
Pro Tip 3: Low Surface Agitation: Remind buyers that Azolla thrives best in calm or slow-moving surface water. Strong filter outputs can submerge the tiny pads, causing them to degrade.