🌿 Basic Overview

• Scientific Name: Hygrophila sp. “Araguaia Chai”

• Common Name: Hygrophila Chai, Araguaia Chai

• Family: Acanthaceae

• Origin: Cultivated variety (derived from Hygrophila sp. “Araguaia”, originally from the Araguaia River, Brazil)

• Type: Stem plant / creeping midground plant

🌱 Appearance

• Stem: Short, creeping to semi-upright; grows 5–15 cm tall.

• Leaves:

  • Narrow, lance-shaped, slightly wavy edges.

  • Smaller and more delicate than the regular Hygrophila Araguaia.

  • Color ranges from light pink to peach-pink, sometimes with a pale green base.

• Coloration:

  • The “Chai” variant is unique for its soft pastel pink to rosy hue, giving a warm accent to planted tanks.

  • Color intensity depends on light and CO₂ levels.

• Texture: Smooth and fine, creating a soft visual contrast against darker or red plants.

💧 Tank Conditions

🌾 Growth & Maintenance

• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate compared to typical Hygrophila species.

• Form: Naturally compact and creeping; tends to spread horizontally before growing vertically.

• Trimming:

  • Regular trimming encourages side shoots and thicker patches.

  • Avoid cutting too low; leave a few nodes for regrowth.

• Spacing: 2–3 cm between stems to allow proper light and airflow.

• Placement: Best in midground or as a color highlight in the foreground of larger tanks.

🌈 Color & Health Tips

1. High lighting (medium-high intensity) enhances pink and peach tones.

2. Consistent CO₂ (20–30 ppm) ensures compact growth and prevents melting.

3. Iron-rich fertilizers and balanced micro dosing maintain the soft pink color.

4. Maintain clean water and stable conditions — it dislikes fluctuations.

5. Avoid heavy shade — lower leaves may darken or fall off.

🧪 Propagation

• Method: Stem cuttings or side shoots.

• Simply trim healthy tops and replant in the substrate.

• Roots form easily from nodes, and side branches develop naturally.

🌍 Aquascaping Use

• Excellent for color contrast in Nature-style or Dutch-style aquascapes.

• Its pastel tone pairs beautifully with green and red plants.

• Perfect for creating soft transitions between vivid red plants (like Rotala or Alternanthera) and lush green backgrounds.

• Often used in nano aquascapes due to its compact size and refined appearance.

⚠️ Challenges

• Sensitive to unstable CO₂ or low light — may lose color or melt.

• Grows slowly, so algae on leaves can be an issue if light is too intense without balance.

• Requires patience and stable tank conditions for best results.

🪴 Quick Summary