Myriophyllum mattogrossense
Myriophyllum mattogrossense (Mattogrosso Milfoil, Matto Grosso Milfoil)
A beautiful, undemanding plant suitable for virtually any aquarium. Myriophyllum mattograssense needs a medium to high amount of lighting as well as regular fertilization. It will thrive in a low-tech aquarium though CO2 injection will make it grow faster and denser. It has spectacular, delicate looking feathery leaves growing from a reddish stem and the upper most leaves may turn a reddish color under intense lighting. With regular pruning, M. mattogrossense can be quite a bushy plant that is perfect for the midground or background of any aquarium.
Since this species can be very fast growing, it needs ample nutrients in both the substrate and water column and is thus incredibly useful for removing nitrogenous waste from heavily stocked tanks. In the absence of a large animal bioload, this plant benefits tremedously from regular fertilization.
Some consider this to be one of the easiest species of Myriophyllum to cultivate as long as it gets enough light and water temperatures do not drop below 20C/68F.
QUICK NOTES:
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Type: Stem
Size: Can grow to reach tank’s surface (maximum height 60cm) though pruning will keep the plants short and bushy enough to use in the midground.
Position and Usage: Midground to background placement
Growth rate: Fast/Very Fast
Lighting: 3/5 – 5/5
Water Conditions: 24 - 30°C
CO2: Not required - will result in faster, denser growth.
Propagation: Cuttings
Special Requirements: Nutrients are essential for keeping this fast growing but otherwise undemanding plant healthy. A standard iron-rich substrate or root tabs is recommended as well as regular water column fertilization. M. Mattogrossense likes warm water.
INVASIVE SPECIES POTENTIAL: Though not current listed as an invasive exotic in either Canada or the United States, other species of Myriophyllum (that we do not sell) such as M. spicatum (Eurasian Milfoil) have become major invasive pests in waterways throughout the continent. Because of it's fast growth rate and wide tolerance to a variety of water conditions, this species could potentially become a threat to our native waterways - especially in warmer climates such as California, Texas and the Southeast US (Including Florida). Please be mindful that we need to protect the biodiversity of our precious native waterways and NEVER intentionally release this plant into the wild!!! Extra cuttings can often be traded for store credit at your local fish store. They can be properly disposed of by placing the cuttings in a plastic bag and sealing it before tossing them in the trash. If you want to go one step further to protect our waterways, freeze, boil or soak the cuttings in bleach before disposing.
Description
A beautiful aquarium classic with green, lush, feathery leaves and is extraordinarily useful for adding "volume" to your aquascape. Stems may take on a reddish appearance. Under good lighting conditions and regular pruning, M. mattogrossense can produce stunning bushy growth making a fantastic choice for either the midground or background of your planted aquarium. Under intense lighting, the most exposed upper leaves may turn a reddish color, creating a very unique appearance.
Natively found in an area from Central America, Peru and the Amazon river in Brazil, this plant is undemanding and does well in both low tech and high tech aquariums as long as there is sufficient lighting. It is a fast growing plant and as such, it demands a lot of nutrients in both the water column and substrate so regular fertilization is highly recommended.
Because Myriophyllum mattogrossense uses up so many nutrients from the water column, it is a fantastic plant for keeping your nitrates and phosphate levels low thereby creating a healthier environment for fish, shrimp and other critters. It also does a lot to keep algae at bay either by competing for nutrients or perhaps even secreting substances that inhibit algal growth through a process known as allelopathy.
M. mattogrossense enjoys slightly warmer waters than some other Myriophyllum species. In good conditions, this plant will produce abundant flowers in your aquarium.
There is some debate about the true identity of the plant as it was first named in 1915 by Hoehne but appears to be different than the current plant discovered in the early 1990s by Orchard and Kasselmann. Our product is the more recent species rather than the since remaned Myriophyllum tuberculatum.
As with all aquatic plants - this should NEVER be introduced into any natural waterways including ponds on your property that are connected to other bodies of water. Always dispose of all aquatic plants properly either by trading cuttings in for store credit at your local fish store or simply tying the unwanted cuttings in a bag and tossing it in the trash. If you want to be extra careful, you can also freeze, boil or bleach the plants before throwing them out. While it is related to the infamous Eurasian Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), it is unrestricted in both Canada and the US - however, this plant could become a potential problem in warmer climates such as southern parts of the United States including California, Florida, Texas and the Southeast.
