Limnophilla Hippuroides

🌿 Species Profile

• Common Name: Red Ambulia
• Scientific Name: Limnophila hippuridoides
• Plant Type: Stem plant
• Origin: Southeast Asia
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Placement: Midground to background

🌱 Appearance

• Fine, whorled leaves along tall stems
• Color varies:
  • Green lower parts
  • Pink, red, or purple tops under good conditions
• Bushy, soft texture
• Size:
  • Height: 30–60 cm (12–24 in)

It creates a soft red-pink “cloud” effect in aquascapes.

🧪 Tank Requirements

• Temperature: 22–28°C
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Hardness: Soft to medium
• Lighting: Medium to high (important for red coloration)
• CO₂: Recommended for best color and compact growth

🌿 Substrate & Nutrition

• Grows rooted in substrate
• Benefits from:
  • Nutrient-rich soil or aquasoil
  • Liquid fertilizers
  • Iron (important for red coloration)

Without good nutrients, it becomes mostly green.

✂️ Care Tips

• Requires regular trimming to stay bushy
• Replant cut tops for denser groups
• Provide good light penetration
• CO₂ improves compact growth and color intensity

🌱 Propagation

• Very easy:
  • Cut stem sections
  • Replant into substrate
• Quickly forms dense groups

🐟 Aquarium Use

Best for:

• Color contrast in aquascapes
• Background “red bush” effect
• Dutch-style planted tanks

Compatible with:

• Tetras
• Rasboras
• Shrimp
• Peaceful community fish