If you are interested in aquarium plants, then you are probably familiar with cryptocorynes and anubias. Their hardiness and variety of forms have long won the hearts of aquarists. But in their shadow there is another amazing genus that is becoming increasingly popular – Bucephalandra.
Among them, one particularly beautiful species stands out—Bucephalandra kedagang. This plant attracts attention not with its lush growth or height, but with its amazing texture and coloration. Its leaves, often with wavy edges, can shimmer with different shades of blue, green, and even reddish colors.
But the real “highlight” of this plant is its spotting. The surface of the leaves, especially on young shoots, looks as if someone has carefully applied the finest silver or light speckles. This unique pattern makes each Bucephalandra kedagang a unique living decoration.
Like its well-known relatives, this plant is quite unpretentious. It grows slowly and does not require complex care, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced aquarists who want to add something special and exquisite to their underwater garden.
Distribution
This plant grows in Southeast Asia. It is found on the island of Kalimantan. It is believed that Bucephalandra sp. “Kedagang” got its name from one of the regions of Indonesia. Bucephalandra can be found in small streams and rivers flowing through tropical forests.
Growing and care
Bucephalandra sp. “Kedagang” is a rare and expensive plant that few people have. It is very demanding in terms of conditions, so only experienced aquarists can grow it.
In aquascaping, this representative of the aroids is used in the foreground or middle ground. It can also be planted in the back of the composition, but in this case, the plant loses its decorative appearance.
It is important to maintain stable conditions in the aquarium. A sharp deviation from the specified parameters will be fatal for Bucephalandra kedagang.
If the conditions in the aquarium change too abruptly, Bucephalandra sp. “Kedagang” is susceptible to “cryptocoryne disease,” which is common to many members of the Araceae family. In this case, the leaves of the plant become pale, watery, and weak. As a result, the leaf plates begin to die off.
Bucephalandra kedagang can be kept both in aquariums in an underwater form and in the air in paludariums or humid greenhouses. Some aquarists grow this plant in greenhouses. In them, the humidity level is also maintained at close to 100%.
However, unlike a paludarium, there is no layer of water above the soil in greenhouses. It is simply necessary to water the soil periodically so that the roots of the plants feel comfortable. To prevent the humidity from dropping too much, the greenhouse is covered with glass.
Water parameters for ideal maintenance
It is advisable to maintain the following hydrochemical parameters:
- temperature — acceptable range — 20-26ºC, recommended — 22-26ºC;
- hardness — 0 to 10 German degrees is acceptable, but 2 to 8 is better.
- acid-alkaline balance — acceptable range — 5-8, recommended values — 6-7.
Water should be changed 1-2 times a week, depending on requirements. According to owner reviews, some Bucephalandra species only need 1/5 of the aquarium water to be changed, while others require at least a third of fresh water every week.
Lighting requirements
Bucephalandra sp. “Kedagang” can grow at almost any light level. You can set up either intense lighting with a power of 1 W/l or more moderate lighting with a power of 0.5 W/l.
In the first case, the daylight hours should be between 6 and 8 hours. With a weaker light flux, at least 11 hours will be required.
Too bright lighting often provokes the growth of lower algae.
As practice shows, the decorative properties of Bucephalandra kedanang are best manifested in bright lighting — about 100 Lm/l.
Then, even in a densely populated herbarium, the plant will actively grow.
However, owners of these plants note that this rule only applies to red or purple Bucephalandra. Subspecies with green leaves, on the contrary, prefer weaker lighting.
Soil requirements, nutrient substrate
In its natural habitat, Bucephalandra kedagang attaches its roots to rocks and driftwood. The plant is not adapted to being planted directly in the soil. Since it does not take root in open ground, it must be attached independently, for example, with pieces of lava.
Some aquarists recommend placing a stone or lava fragment with Bucephalandra so that the base of the bush is 2-3 cm above the soil surface. When the thin roots of Bucephalandra kedagang grow, they partially sink into the soil and receive nutrients from there.
Aquarium soil should be as neutral as possible and not cause sudden fluctuations in hydrochemical indicators.
The following products can be used as the main or bottom substrate:
- ADA Aqua Soil Malaya. A golden-colored nutrient substrate with characteristics that are as close as possible to the soils of Southeast Asia. Excellent for growing cryptocorynes. The granules are quite soft, which reduces the risk of damage to the plant's root system. Not as nutritious as Amazonia from the same line, but does not cause sudden changes in water parameters.
- JBL AquaBasis Plus. Nutritious soil with clay, rich in trace elements. In particular, it is a source of iron, which is necessary for plants with reddish leaves. Does not contain phosphates or nitrates. The substrate is able to absorb nutrients when they are in excess in the water and release them back when there is a shortage.
- Aquayer Nutrient Substrate. Bottom soil, which must be laid under “empty” sand or small pebbles. It is a source of nutrients necessary for the healthy and rapid growth of aquarium plants. In particular, it is ideal for representatives of the Araceae family.
Fertilizer requirements
Good growth of Bucephalandra sp. “Kedagang” is only possible with daily feeding with liquid mineral fertilizers. According to aquarists, Bucephalandra does not need large amounts of macro fertilizers.
To be on the safe side, you can use Redfield's proportions — a ratio of nitrates to phosphates of about 20:1, and it is better to keep the concentration to a minimum to reduce the risk of algae growth. Good sources of micronutrients include fertilizers such as:
Plants need much more micronutrients, especially potassium and iron. The following preparations can be used to stimulate growth and maintain the color of Bucephalandra leaves:
- Tetra PlantaMin. A liquid source of trace elements necessary for the proper development of aquarium plants.
- Aquayer Micro+. A liquid fertilizer containing a large amount of trace elements. Used every day.
- Aquabalance Micro-balance+K. A nutrient solution with a high iron and potassium content. Designed to accelerate the growth of aquarium plants. Add twice a week.
- Sera Florena. A liquid fertilizer designed to accelerate the growth of aquarium flora. Contains iron chelates, other trace elements, and minerals necessary for many plants.
In addition to feeding with mineral fertilizers, it is recommended to saturate the water with carbon dioxide. The required concentration of carbon dioxide is 25-30 mg/l.
Reproduction
New Bucephalandra plants can be obtained by vegetative division of the mother bush. This requires a healthy and strong plant. Use a sharp knife to mark the area for division on the rhizome.
There should be 4-5 leaves and a couple of growth points left on each side. Cut the root at a 45º angle at the desired location. New plants can be secured in the aquarium.
Bucephalandra kedagang is a small but very expressive aquatic plant that looks great in an aquarium thanks to its dark green leaves with bright spots and velvety texture. It is related to Anubias and Cryptocoryne, so it requires similar care—no bright light or complex fertilizers. It grows slowly, does not require constant trimming, and thrives when attached to rocks or driftwood. An ideal choice for those who want to add something unusual but unpretentious to their aquarium.
Variations and shapes of the plant
The plant itself also has its own subspecies, for example:
- Red. Also known as Bucephalandra Kedagang Red Godzilla. The size of the leaves does not differ from the original variation of the plant. A notable feature is that the rhizomes and young leaves of this bucephalandra are wine-red in color.
- Mini. Looks good in the foreground of the aquarium due to its small size. Can be a good refuge for fry and small fish. Best attached to rocks.
- Round. A fairly easy-to-grow subspecies that is suitable even for beginners. It differs from its genetic “parent” in the more rounded shape of its leaf plates, which grow up to 2 cm in length. It grows very slowly. The rhizome should never be buried in the soil to prevent it from rotting.
- Tropica. This subspecies reaches about 8 cm in length. It does not have high requirements for living conditions and is content with weak or moderate lighting. The leaves are elongated, lanceolate, with wavy edges. Almost all leaf plates are brownish-green in color.
- Japan. A small plant that does not require special care, so it can be grown by aquarists of any experience level. The leaf plates are rounded, slightly elongated and curved. When viewed from above, they resemble green drops.
- Purple. A relatively small plant with leaves 2 to 4 cm long, slightly curved and rounded. Unlike many Bucephalandra species, it has a rich purple-red color. Suitable for growing in shrimp tanks, but it should be placed higher up on a log or rock, where there is less risk of damaging the root system.
- Mini round. A variation suitable for nano aquariums. This plant has narrower and smaller leaves than the main form of Bucephalandra kedagang. Carbon dioxide fertilization is not necessary for this variation, but the presence of carbon dioxide promotes better plant growth. The leaves of this subspecies are rounded, small, and dark green in color.
Bucephalandra kedagang is a truly special and beautiful aquatic plant. Its understated but expressive beauty with shimmering spots can enliven any aquascape. This plant will become the jewel of your collection, drawing attention to the details of the underwater world.
Like its famous relatives, Anubias and Cryptocoryne, it is quite undemanding. Even a novice aquarist who is prepared to provide basic care can grow it. The main thing is not to rush and give the plant time to adapt to new conditions.
If you are looking for more than just “green mass” and want a plant with character and grace, take a closer look at Bucephalandra. It will bring a touch of the mystery of Borneo's wild nature to your aquarium and will delight you for a long time with its unique foliage. It is an excellent choice for creating a natural and harmonious underwater landscape.
