ADA Glossostigma elatinoides

Glossostigma elatinoides, commonly known as "Glosso," is a popular and sought-after aquatic plant in the aquarium hobby due to its low-growing and carpeting nature. Originating from Australia and New Zealand, Glosso is highly regarded for its ability to create lush, vibrant green carpets that resemble a vibrant meadow underwater. It belongs to the Plantaginaceae family.

Physical Characteristics:

1. Leaf Structure: The leaves of Glosso are small, round or oval, and typically measure around 0.5 to 1.5 cm in diameter. They are light green in color and have a glossy appearance.

2. Growth Form: Glosso is a prostrate or creeping plant, which means it spreads horizontally along the substrate rather than growing vertically. This growth habit makes it ideal for creating a carpet-like effect in aquariums.

3. Rooting System: It develops a network of delicate, fine roots that anchor it to the substrate. These roots are important for nutrient absorption and anchoring the plant in place.

Aquarium Requirements:

1. Lighting: Glossostigma elatinoides is considered a high-light demanding plant. It requires bright lighting conditions to thrive and carpet properly. If the light is insufficient, the plant may become leggy and fail to form a dense carpet.

2. Substrate: A nutrient-rich substrate is crucial for the success of Glosso. Choose a substrate specifically formulated for planted aquariums or add root tabs to provide essential nutrients for healthy growth.

3. CO2 Injection: For optimal growth and carpeting, supplementing the aquarium with carbon dioxide (CO2) is recommended. CO2 injection helps the plant undergo photosynthesis more efficiently, promoting faster growth and denser carpets.

4. Water Parameters: Glosso thrives in slightly acidic to neutral water with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. The water hardness should be moderate, ranging from soft to moderately hard. Maintain a temperature between 22 to 28°C (72 to 82°F).

Propagation: Glossostigma elatinoides can be propagated through runners. Runners are long, thin stems that develop from the main plant and extend horizontally across the substrate. These runners produce new plantlets at their tips, which eventually take root and grow into independent plants.

Maintenance: Regular pruning is essential to ensure that the carpet remains healthy and maintains its dense appearance. Trim any overgrown or decaying leaves to prevent shading of the lower portions of the plant.

Aquascaping Use: Glosso is popularly used in aquascaping to create lush foreground carpets, providing a stunning contrast to taller plants in the background. It creates a sense of depth and scale within the aquarium, mimicking the appearance of a natural landscape.

Challenges: Achieving a successful Glosso carpet can be challenging due to its high demands for light, CO2, and nutrients. It's important to strike the right balance between these factors to prevent issues such as algae overgrowth or poor growth of the plant.

Glossostigma elatinoides is a captivating aquatic plant that offers aquarists the opportunity to create visually striking aquascapes. With proper care and attention to its specific requirements, Glosso can transform an aquarium into a lush underwater garden, providing a vibrant and natural focal point.

Plants with great success!

Tissue Cultures are very young plants cultivated and delivered directly from the laboratory. The plants are guaranteed to be free from snails, algae and pesticides and, therefore, are harmless for sensitive shrimp and fish.

Success with your aquarium depends largely on the proper plant choice. In a Tissue Culture cup, you get many plants that can be divided into small portions and cover a larger area. Plants are compact from the start, so you will experience dense and beautiful growth if you give them the right fertiliser and CO2!

• Carefully take the plant out of the cup and rinse off the growing media.
• To prevent mildew and algae, rinse with chlorine-free water.
• Split the plant into portions using your fingers or scissors.
• Plant portions into the substrate using tweezers or attach to the hardscape in case of rhizomatous. 

Then watch them grow!

Origin
Country or continent where a plant is the most common. Cultivars arise or are bred in cultivation.

Growth Rate
Growth rate of the plant compared to other aquatic plants.

Height
Average height (cm) of the plant after two months in the tank.

Light Demand
The average or medium light demand of an aquarium plant is 0.5 W/L.

CO2 Demand
A medium need in CO2 is 6-14 mg/L. A high demand in CO2 is approx. 15-25 mg/L.