Cryptocoryne spiralis (Green)
Ribbon-grass crypt that sways like vallisneria and asks for nothing.
The green form of spiralis grows in tall, narrow emerald ribbons that twist gently along their length, moving constantly in the current. It fills a background the way vallisneria does but stays cleaner, spreads by controlled runners, and thrives in low-tech tanks with no CO2. Farm-raised and shipped as an established rooted plant.
What it needs to thrive
- Lighting
- Low to moderate — 25–50 PAR.
- Flow
- Low to moderate; leaves sway attractively in gentle current.
- Feeding
- Column and root feeder — dose a complete liquid fertilizer weekly; root tabs for heavy substrate rooters.
- Temperament
- Peaceful — shrimp-safe, fry-safe, and grown pesticide-free.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Ideal Tank Size
- 20 gallons and up
- Water Parameters
- 70–80°F · pH 6.0–7.5 · GH 3–10 · KH 1–8 · nitrate 10–25 ppm with a complete liquid fertilizer
Background curtain or side panels. Runners fill in behind it over a few months.
Peaceful. Expect melt on arrival — the crown always recovers if left undisturbed.
Quarantine, dip, and acclimation
Quarantine
Hold all new fish in a bare-bottom 10–20 gallon QT for a minimum of 4 weeks. Observe for flashing, clamped fins, white spots, or breathing changes. Treat preventatively with copper (1.75–2.5 ppm chelated) or tank-transfer method for ich, plus a praziquantel course for flukes. Invertebrates and corals skip QT but go through dip and observation instead.
Recommended coral dip
For every new coral: a 5–10 minute bath in your reef-safe dip of choice (Bayer Complete, CoralRx, or Reef Primer) following label dosage, followed by two clean saltwater rinses. Inspect plugs and bases for flatworms, pyramid snails, and eggs — remove or refrag onto clean plugs before placing in display.
Acclimation
Float sealed bags in your QT or display for 15 minutes to match temperature. Then drip acclimate at 2–4 drops per second for 45–60 minutes until volume has tripled. Net livestock into the tank — never pour shipping water in. Dim the lights for the first 24 hours to reduce stress.
