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Here are complete details about the Red Lily aquarium plant, a beautiful and popular bulb plant often used as a centerpiece in freshwater planted tanks:


🌿 Red Lily – Overview

  • Common Name: Red Tiger Lotus, Red Lily

  • Scientific Name: Nymphaea zenkeri

  • Family: Nymphaeaceae

  • Origin: West Africa (especially Cameroon and surrounding regions)

  • Type: Bulb plant (true aquatic lily)


📏 Physical Characteristics

Feature Description
Height 20 – 50 cm (can grow even taller with floating leaves)
Width 15 – 30 cm spread
Leaf Color Reddish-brown to deep red with marbled green or purple spots
Leaf Shape Heart- or oval-shaped; some submerged, others float
Growth Rate Moderate to Fast

💡 Lighting Requirements

Type Description
Light Level Medium to High
Ideal Strong lighting enhances red coloration
Effect Low light = more green leaves; High light = deep red tones

💧 Water Parameters

Parameter Ideal Range
Temperature 22 – 28°C (72 – 82°F)
pH 6.0 – 7.5
Hardness Soft to moderately hard (3 – 12 dGH)
CO₂ Not required but beneficial for faster, richer growth

🌱 Planting & Placement

  • Tank Position: Midground or background

  • Planting Method: Do not bury the bulb completely—leave the top half exposed above the substrate

  • Substrate: Nutrient-rich preferred (aqua soil or gravel with root tabs)

  • Floating Leaves: May produce lily pads; can be trimmed to encourage compact underwater growth


🔁 Propagation

Method Details
By Bulb New bulbs form from the base or offshoots
How to Replant Let new bulbs detach naturally or gently separate and replant
Flowering Can bloom with small purple or white flowers if floating leaves are allowed to mature and reach the surface

🧪 Fertilization & CO₂

Element Notes
Root Tabs Highly recommended – heavy root feeder
Liquid Fertilizer Supports overall coloration and growth
CO₂ Injection Optional – boosts growth, especially under high light

🐠 Tank Compatibility

  • Fish Compatibility: Safe with most fish, including tetras, barbs, gouramis, bettas

  • Shrimp-Friendly: Yes – large leaves offer great hiding spots

  • Avoid With: Large herbivores like goldfish and silver dollars (may nibble leaves)


🎨 Aquascaping Use

  • Works best as a focal point plant in mid or back of the tank

  • Adds color contrast in green-themed or nature-style tanks

  • Ideal for Dutch-style and low-maintenance setups

  • Can be combined with carpeting plants like dwarf hairgrass for contrast


⚠️ Care Tips

  • Trim floating leaves if you want to encourage shorter, submerged leaf growth

  • Bulbs may go dormant; don’t discard if it stops growing—wait and it may regrow

  • Avoid planting the bulb too deep—bulb rot is a common mistake

  • Remove yellowing or old leaves to prevent algae buildup

  • Leaves may get algae if lighting is too high without balancing nutrients


Advantages

  • Stunning red to maroon color – adds a dramatic accent

  • Easy to grow and low-maintenance once established

  • Grows well even in low-tech tanks

  • Natural shelter and spawning site for fish

  • May flower in mature tanks


Challenges

  • Can dominate smaller tanks with large leaves

  • May need regular pruning to control floating pads

  • Sensitive to bulb planting depth

  • Can block light if floating leaves spread too much



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