Alternanter Rosanernovig: Pink Cardinal of the Underwater World

You should be aware of Alternanthera Rosanervig, also known as the Pink Cardinal of the underwater world, if you enjoy colorful, striking fish for your aquarium. This gorgeous aquatic plant is a favorite among hobbyists because it adds a pop of color and a hint of elegance to any tank. It is difficult not to be enthralled by its beauty with its striking pink and green hues.

Originating from the seas of South America, the Alternanthera Rosanervig is not only an attractive species but also highly versatile. This plant is fairly easy to care for and thrives in a variety of conditions, making it suitable for both novice and experienced aquarists. It’s low maintenance and ideal for giving your aquatic landscape that extra flair.

The distinct pigmentation of this plant gives it brilliant colors that will really brighten up your tank. As it grows, the rich green color of its leaves gradually turns into a lovely pink hue. It becomes a true focal point in any aquarium arrangement because of its dramatic color shift.

The Alternanthera Rosanervig is not only attractive to look at, but it also contributes to keeping the environment in your tank healthy. In addition to helping with water filtration and offering fish cover, it has the ability to outcompete algae. It makes sense that this plant is frequently referred to as the Pink Cardinal of the aquatic world given its aesthetic appeal and usefulness.

The area of distribution

Alternanthéra Reinéckii Briq. originally from Paraguay and Brazil. Found in the tropical and equatorial latitudes of South America. Prefers marshy areas, shores of lakes and swamps.

Under natural conditions, the height of the plant is about 50 cm. Alternanthera came to Europe thanks to the efforts of American importers in the late 70s. of the last century.

With its vivid pink and green foliage, Alternanthera rosanervig—also known as the Pink Cardinal—makes a magnificent addition to any aquarium. This resilient, low-maintenance plant is ideal for novice and expert aquarists alike. It not only brightens your underwater scene but also grows well in a variety of environments. By selecting the Pink Cardinal, you can enjoy a low-maintenance aquatic plant that adds to the beauty of your aquatic environment while also adding a touch of elegance and vibrancy to your tank.

Growing and care

While most alternanthera are challenging to grow, this variety requires less care. In order to "befriend" the plant, we suggest the following maintenance practices:

• Alternanthera looks great as an expressive accent in the foreground or middle ground. Some aquarists prefer to place it on side shelves.
• It is important to ensure that lighting fixtures are at a large distance from the water. Otherwise, the plant will get burned.
• This variety grows well in a greenhouse. It should be planted in nutritious soil, provide a humid climate and maintain a temperature in the range of 26 – 30 ° C.
• To make the bushes look decorative, you need to pinch the tops in a timely manner. This gives them splendor and volume, as it provokes the formation of lateral shoots.

• Depending on the volume of the grass plant, it grows either completely submerged in water or partially. In a deep aquarium, it tries to reach the water with the help of shoots.
• Alternanthera Rosanerwig can be safely grown together with neons, mollies, tetras, pecilia and barbs.
• In aquarium conditions, it develops quickly, growing up to 10 cm per month. Young shoots grow very slowly. They need about 2 months to develop.

This is a very beneficial plant. It covers small fish with its foliage and absorbs toxins from the water.

Optimal water parameters

Alternanthera should never be exposed to cold water. The density of the bushes and the saturation of pink and purple hues disappear even after a brief visit. Its development stops when the temperature falls below 20 °C.

Suggested hydrochemical parameters:

temperature – 24-28 °C;

general hardness – 2-12 ° dGH.

In old, stagnant water, the growth of leaves slows down. As a result, setting up a water filtration system and replacing 20% of the entire volume once a week are essential.

Lighting requirements

The lighting intensity affects how saturated the color is on Alternanthera Rosanerwig leaf blades. It favors bright light, much like a lot of plants that have similar-colored leaves. Its vital activity is positively impacted by sunshine exposure.

Installing LB type fluorescent lamps is required to replicate the lighting found in its natural habitat. The power calculation is based on a water surface area of 3 W per dm.

Lighting fixtures should be placed 30 centimeters or less from the water’s surface. If not, there will be severe burns on the delicate upper leaves. It is not advisable to use regular incandescent lamps for the same reason.

A minimum of twelve hours of daylight are advised. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the plant could perish in low light.

Soil quality

Since Alternanthera gets most of its nutrients from water, substrate characteristics and soil silting level are not particularly important. However, coarse sand promotes better root system development.

Need for feeding

This variety grows quickly, so regular mineral feeding and carbon dioxide supply are beneficial. Use caution when adding beneficial solutions to water. Not every kind of aquarium animal can withstand fertilizers from plants.

An adequate amount of iron in the water is necessary for the leaves’ color to be vivid and expressive. Consequently, divalent iron salts should be added twice a month at a rate of 0.2 mg per liter of volume.

Features of reproduction

The plant reproduces vegetatively. To form a new bush, you should divide the strengthened stem into cuttings containing 5 whorls with leaves and place them in water.

After 1 week, roots will form in the lower part of the shoots. This means that the "babies" are ready for transplantation into the ground.

Name variations

There are numerous other names:

• Alternanthera reineckii rosanervig;
• Alternanthera reineckii rosanervig;
• Alternanthera Marble;

• Alternanthera reineckii "Cardinalis Variegata";
• Alternanthera reineckii "Red Ruby";
• Alternanthera reineckii.

We would like to remind you that this variety’s botanical name is Alternanthéra reinéckii Briq.

The Alternanthera rosannervig, also known as the Pink Cardinal, is a striking plant with gorgeous pink hues that lives up to its name. This colorful aquatic plant has the ability to create an eye-catching underwater garden in any aquarium. It is a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts due to its striking colors and distinctive texture, which lends refinement and charm to any tank.

Although it takes some care to grow the Pink Cardinal, the benefits are substantial. It requires frequent trimming to keep its lovely form and color, and it grows best in substrates that are high in nutrients. It not only makes your aquarium look better when taken care of, but it also gives fish and other aquatic life valuable hiding places.

To sum up, adding Alternanthera rosannervig to your aquarium is a fantastic way to infuse some color and energy into your aquatic arrangement. Because of its beauty and relatively simple maintenance requirements, it’s a great option for both inexperienced and seasoned hobbyists. You can create a dynamic and lively environment in your tank that highlights the best features of the underwater world by adding this gorgeous plant.

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