Cryptocoryne parva
Dwarf Water Trumpet
Scientific Classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Phylum:Tracheophytes
Class:Magnoliopsida
Order:Alismatales
Family:Araceae
Genus:Cryptocoryne
Species:parva
IUCN Status:Least Concern
Quick Stats
Difficulty
Medium
Environment
Freshwater
Temperature
20°C - 28°C
pH Level
6 - 8
Water Hardness
36 - 215 ppm
Growth
Very Slow
Lighting
Medium - High
Max Height
3-10 cm
Placement
Carpet
CO2 Requirements
Low
Water Flow
Low Flow
Aquarium Building Information
Max Height
3-10 cm
Placement
Carpet
Lighting
Medium - High
Growth
Very Slow
CO2 Requirements
Low
Water Flow
Low Flow
Substrate
Sand
Gravel
Soil
Attachment Method
substrate
Oxygen Production
Low
Waste reduction
Low
About This Species
Basic Description
The Dwarf Water Trumpet, or Cryptocoryne parva, is one of the smallest aquatic plants available, making it a popular choice for the foreground of an aquarium. Don't be fooled by its small size; it can be a bit tricky. It is considered 'medium difficulty' mainly because its growth is extremely slow. This means you'll need a lot of patience to see it fill in and form the green carpet it's known for. While it can survive in a low-tech tank, it truly looks its best with good lighting and nutrients. Since it's a 'root feeder,' it pulls most of its food from the gravel or sand. To keep it happy, you should use a special nutrient-rich aquarium soil or add 'root tabs' (little fertilizer capsules) under the substrate near the plants. When you first plant it, or if your water conditions change suddenly, it might 'melt,' where all its leaves die back. This is normal for this type of plant! As long as the root is healthy, it will slowly grow new leaves that are better suited to your tank. Its slow growth means less trimming, making it a great 'set it and forget it' carpet once it's finally established.
Detailed Description
Cryptocoryne parva is a classic but often misunderstood foreground plant. Its 'medium' difficulty rating stems not from demanding water parameters—it's quite adaptable—but from its exceptionally slow growth rate and specific nutrient requirements. As a member of the Araceae family originating from the rivers of Sri Lanka, it is a true root-feeder. Relying on water column fertilization is insufficient; success with C. parva is heavily dependent on a nutrient-rich substrate or consistent use of high-quality root tabs. Without adequate root-zone nutrition, the plant will stagnate and eventually fade away, even in otherwise perfect conditions. To create a carpet, individual plantlets should be separated from the mother plant or tissue culture pot and planted an inch or two apart in the substrate. This encourages the plant to send out runners, though this process can take many months. While it is listed with a low CO2 requirement, this simply means it can survive without supplemental CO2. For it to thrive, spread, and achieve its potential as a carpeting plant, CO2 injection is highly recommended, as it significantly boosts its metabolic rate. Similarly, while it tolerates medium lighting, high-intensity light is necessary to encourage dense, compact, horizontal growth rather than taller, sparser vertical growth. One of the most common experiences with this genus is 'Crypt melt.' When moved to a new aquarium, C. parva will often shed its existing leaves as it adapts to new water chemistry and lighting. Hobbyists should not discard the plant, as the rhizome remains viable and will produce new, more resilient submersed-form leaves over time. Unlike many other Cryptocoryne species, C. parva's appearance changes very little between its emersed and submersed forms, which helps in visualizing its final look in the aquascape. Its extremely slow growth makes it highly resistant to being overgrown once established, but also makes it vulnerable to being smothered by algae during its initial acclimation period.
Scientific Description
Cryptocoryne parva, described by de Wit in 1970, is a diminutive species within the Araceae family, endemic to the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Its species name, 'parva,' is Latin for 'small,' accurately reflecting its status as the smallest of the Cryptocoryne genus. Morphologically, it presents with narrow, lanceolate green leaves that form a compact rosette. A distinguishing characteristic is its minimal phenotypic plasticity between emersed and submersed forms; both exhibit similar leaf shape and coloration, a trait not common among its congeners. Its primary mode of propagation in an aquarium setting is vegetative, occurring via the slow development of adventitious plantlets from its creeping rhizome (runners). The plant's 'medium' difficulty classification can be attributed to its low metabolic rate. This slow growth makes it a poor competitor, particularly against algae, in environments with fluctuating nutrient levels or during the initial establishment phase. It is a heavy root-feeder, adapted to sourcing nutrients from the substrate rather than the water column. Its success in cultivation is therefore intrinsically linked to the availability of a nutrient-rich substrate, such as an aquarium soil or the application of root-zone fertilizers to supplement an inert substrate like sand or gravel. The well-documented phenomenon of 'Cryptocoryne melt' is a physiological stress response. When subjected to significant shifts in environmental parameters (e.g., pH, hardness, light intensity, or CO2 levels), the plant undergoes rapid senescence of its existing foliage. This process is an energy-conservation strategy, allowing the rhizome to reallocate resources to generate new leaves that are physiologically optimized for the new conditions. Its native habitat in Sri Lankan rivers, often in limestone areas, explains its notable tolerance for a broad pH spectrum (6.0-8.0) and moderate to high general and carbonate hardness (GH/KH). According to the IUCN Red List, Cryptocoryne parva is categorized as Least Concern (LC), indicating a stable wild population, though it is subject to the same habitat pressures as other local flora.
