Rotala rotundifolia 'Blood Red' *SG*

**Rotala Blood Red - Enhance Your Aquarium's Beauty** 

Aquascaping enthusiasts often choose Rotala Blood Red because this aquatic plant exhibits a stunning dynamic appearance coupled with vibrant red coloring. Aquascapers love this plant because its intense red color and small size provide vibrant accents for Iwagumi layouts and nature aquascapes and Dutch-style tanks. Rotala Blood Red enhances aquarium setups whether planted in the foreground or midground or used to create contrasting colors.

Rotala Blood Red possesses thin elongated leaves that exhibit a rich red-purple coloration which becomes more pronounced under high lighting conditions and increased CO2 levels. The dense clusters of Rotala Blood Red create structural and textural elements within aquascapes. This plant reaches a height of 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) and performs well under moderate to high lighting conditions while showing optimal growth in CO2-enriched tanks. The plant grows at a slower pace in low light conditions and its bright red color fades away.

Aquarium enthusiasts find that Rotala Blood Red suits diverse setups because of its adaptable growth patterns and visually stunning appearance. Planted in the midground or background of an aquarium it forms a lush crimson shrub that looks stunning alongside green foliage and stony elements such as rocks and driftwood. The vivid coloration of this plant creates a striking contrast with green, purple, and gold foliage which positions it as the perfect centerpiece in aquascapes. Rotala Blood Red serves as an excellent background filler that brings texture and depth to your aquarium's appearance.

Rotala Blood Red serves as a protective habitat for small fish and invertebrates in shrimp tanks. The plant's compact formation acts as a protective shelter and the red leaves against the clear water boost visual appeal. When Rotala Blood Red grows it develops vertical layers which create natural depth in your aquascaping design thus giving larger tanks a fuller and more dynamic appearance.

Rotala Blood Red serves as an effective plant for enhancing water quality in aquariums. This plant removes surplus nutrients like phosphates and nitrates from water and prevents algae growth which maintains clean water conditions. The plant's gradual growth rate prevents it from dominating other vegetation and helps sustain a balanced aquarium ecosystem.

**Requirements for Care** 
The Rotala Blood Red plant needs moderate to high lighting and CO2 supplementation for optimal growth. The plant needs nutrient-dense substrate and consistent fertilization to display bright coloration. The plant thrives in temperatures between 72°F and 82°F (22°C and 28°C) when grown in water with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. The plant reaches optimal growth in conditions with moderate water circulation.

Advanced aquarium setups benefit from Rotala Blood Red which serves well in midground or background aquascaping as well as Dutch-style aquascapes and nature tanks and works perfectly in shrimp or fish breeding environments. The plant's vibrant color together with its robust structure makes it an ideal choice for freshwater aquariums.