Mangrove Pack of 3

Three salt-loving propagules anchor the shallows on stilted aerial roots.

Add a mangrove shoreline to your tank with this pack of 3 red mangrove propagules—natural nitrate control, shelter and striking roots for brackish or marine setups.

• Water conditions: Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) are remarkably adaptable and can be grown in freshwater, brackish water and full marine conditions, but they demand stability. Aim for a temperature of 22–28°C, a pH between 6.5 and 8.5, and a salinity range of 0–35 ppt depending on how they have been acclimatised. The key is slow, gradual acclimation: never move propagules straight from freshwater to marine or vice versa. Raise or lower salinity in small steps over several days, and keep evaporation top-offs consistent with RO water in marine systems to prevent salinity swings. Provide moderate water movement around the roots, but avoid blasting the propagules directly. High lighting is essential for healthy leaf growth and nutrient uptake—6–10 hours of bright aquarium or grow light is ideal. The roots must remain submerged while the leaves stay above the waterline, so open-top tanks, sumps, refugiums and paludariums are ideal. Use dechlorinated water, avoid copper-based treatments around sensitive roots, and maintain good oxygenation. In low-nutrient freshwater setups, trace-element supplementation may be beneficial.
• Suitable tank mates: Mangroves are peaceful and provide excellent cover, making them a natural fit for calm brackish and marine communities. Good companions include mollies, guppies, killifish, gobies, blennies, small wrasses, seahorses in dedicated setups, and refuge-friendly invertebrates such as copepods, amphipods and small shrimp. In freshwater or brackish paludariums, peaceful community fish that do not nip leaves work well. Avoid large herbivores that may graze on the leaves, such as some tangs, rabbitfish and certain crabs, as well as vigorous diggers or root-disturbing species like large cichlids and puffers that can uproot propagules. Snails and crabs may climb the stems and damage new growth, so monitor closely. Avoid housing mangroves with fish that jump or climb out of open-top systems without a secure mesh cover. Because mangroves grow slowly, choose tank mates that will not bully or repeatedly disturb the developing roots. Always quarantine new livestock and observe interactions during the first few weeks.
• Feeding habits: Mangroves are not fed like fish or corals—they are photosynthetic plants that absorb ammonia, nitrate, phosphate and trace elements primarily through their root systems. They do not require target feeding, and offering meaty foods or pellets is unnecessary. In fact, their nutrient-export ability is one of their biggest aquarium benefits: healthy roots help reduce nitrate and phosphate while creating a more natural environment. In nutrient-poor or heavily filtered systems, a balanced aquatic plant trace fertiliser containing iron and micronutrients can support growth, but dose conservatively and avoid over-fertilising, which can fuel algae. They benefit from normal fish waste and do not replace regular water changes or good husbandry. If leaves yellow, pale or stop growing, check lighting intensity, salinity stability, root health and trace-element availability rather than adding more food. Keep leaves clean and free of salt creep or dust so photosynthesis remains efficient.
• Care requirements: Unpack the pack of 3 propagules promptly and acclimatise them to your tank’s temperature and salinity before positioning. Keep each propagule upright or at a slight angle with the root end down and the leaves clearly above the waterline; use foam, rock rubble or a sump basket to support them without crushing the stems. They can be planted shallowly in sand or mud, but many aquarists suspend them in refugiums to protect the roots and make pruning easier. Provide bright light, gentle flow and good humidity around the leaves, especially in open-top rooms with dry air. Prune overly long roots and leggy growth to keep the plants manageable, and remove dead or yellowing leaves promptly. Inspect regularly for pests, salt buildup and root clogging, and keep the propagules away from cold draughts and strong direct heat. With stable conditions, slow salinity changes and patience, these mangroves will develop striking prop roots and become a long-term living feature of your system.