{"id":4361,"date":"2025-04-02T16:41:35","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T16:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/?post_type=product&p=4361"},"modified":"2025-04-02T16:41:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T16:41:35","slug":"cryptocoryne-balansae","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/product\/cryptocoryne-balansae\/","title":{"rendered":"Cryptocoryne Balansae"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cryptocoryne balansae<\/strong> is a species of aquatic plant in the Araceae<\/em> family, commonly found in freshwater environments. It is often used in aquariums due to its attractive appearance and relatively easy care requirements. Here’s a detailed description:<\/p>\n

Appearance:<\/h3>\n
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    Leaves<\/strong>: The plant has long, narrow, and elongated leaves, which can grow to be around 12\u201324 inches (30\u201360 cm) tall. The leaves often have a dark green to reddish-brown hue, and they can develop a striking texture with ripples or waves along their edges.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Stem<\/strong>: The stem is typically tall, but it is often hidden beneath the leaves and the substrate in an aquarium.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Root System<\/strong>: Cryptocoryne balansae has a strong, fibrous root system that helps anchor it to the substrate in an aquarium.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Growth Habit:<\/h3>\n
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      It is a slow-growing plant, but with the right conditions, it can form dense, bushy patches in the aquarium over time.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      It thrives in well-lit environments but can tolerate lower light levels too, though its growth may slow down.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Habitat:<\/h3>\n
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        In its native habitat, Cryptocoryne balansae is found in streams and slow-moving waters of Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand and Malaysia.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        It prefers calm waters with a slightly acidic to neutral pH and can tolerate a variety of water hardness levels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Care Requirements:<\/h3>\n
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          Lighting<\/strong>: Moderate to high lighting will help it grow well. Low light conditions may lead to slower growth.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Water Conditions<\/strong>: It thrives in temperatures between 75\u00b0F to 82\u00b0F (24\u00b0C to 28\u00b0C), and prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.5).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Substrate<\/strong>: Cryptocoryne balansae benefits from a nutrient-rich substrate to promote healthy root growth.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Fertilization<\/strong>: It appreciates regular fertilization, especially with micronutrients, to support healthy growth, particularly in aquarium environments where the water may be low in natural nutrients.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Water Movement<\/strong>: Prefers calm waters, so strong currents or turbulence should be avoided.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Common Issues:<\/h3>\n
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            Crypt Melt<\/strong>: Like many Cryptocoryne species, it is prone to “crypt melt” when moved to a new environment or when water conditions change suddenly. This is a temporary condition where the plant may lose its leaves but can regenerate over time as it acclimates to its new surroundings.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Uses in Aquariums:<\/h3>\n
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              Hardscape and Background Planting<\/strong>: Due to its height, it is often used in the background of aquascapes, especially in larger tanks.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Aquascaping Style<\/strong>: Its unique leaf shape and coloration can add texture and contrast to aquascaping layouts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Overall, Cryptocoryne balansae is a beautiful and versatile plant for aquariums, but it does require stable and optimal water conditions to thrive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":4375,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"product_cat":[25],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4361","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-cryptocorynes","7":"product_shipping_class-randall_sehr","9":"first","10":"outofstock","11":"shipping-taxable","12":"purchasable","13":"product-type-simple"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/4361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4361"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=4361"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=4361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}