Why are the tops of my Amazon Frogbit leaves turning brown and mushy?

This is almost always caused by water sitting on top of the leaves. Strong filter flow, splashing bubblers, or condensation dripping from an aquarium lid can wet the crown, leading to rot. Try reducing surface agitation or improving ventilation under your lid.

How do I control its growth in my aquarium?

Amazon Frogbit grows very quickly and can easily cover the entire surface of a tank, blocking light from reaching the plants below. Simply scoop out handfuls of excess rosettes during your weekly water change. Remember to dispose of them securely (e.g., in a compost bin) so they do not enter local waterways.

Why are the roots on my Frogbit so short?

Root length is often tied to nutrient availability and water flow. In highly nutrient-rich water, the plant does not need to grow long roots to search for food. Alternatively, if your surface flow is too strong or fish are continually grazing on them, the roots may break off and remain short.

Can I keep Amazon Frogbit with a strong filter?

It is not recommended. Amazon Frogbit evolved in still or slow-moving waters. Heavy surface flow will toss the plants around, break their roots, and splash water onto their leaves, which ultimately causes the plant to deteriorate.

Do I need to add CO2 to grow it?

No. As a floating plant, it extracts all the carbon dioxide it needs directly from the air above the tank, which is much richer in CO2 than the water below. This allows it to grow very quickly even in low-tech setups.

FreshwaterPlantsBeginner

Amazon Frogbit

Limnobium laevigatum

A highly popular, fast-growing floating plant known for its round, lily-like leaves and beautifully trailing roots that excellent nutrient-absorbing capabilities.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 18 – 30 °C
pH range: 6 – 8
Hardness: 2 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 5 – 10 cm
20L minimum to prevent rapid surface crowding: 20 litres+
Lifespan: 1 – 5 years
Diet: Phototrophic / Nutrient absorber
Water flow: Low
Preferred setup: Open-top aquarium or well-ventilated lid; requires calm surface waters.

About the Amazon Frogbit

Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) is a versatile and attractive floating plant that features smooth, round, bright green leaves resembling miniature lily pads. It is particularly prized in the aquarium hobby for its extensive, trailing root system that creates a beautiful, naturalistic jungle aesthetic. Beyond its visual appeal, it provides essential cover for fry and shy fish species while actively purifying the water column.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Amazon Frogbit against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Amazon Frogbit comes from

Native range

Amazon Basin, Orinoco Basin, Central America

Countries / regions

Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru

Habitat

Still or slow-moving waters including lakes, ponds, marshes, and the shallow margins of rivers.

Widely introduced outside its native range and considered an invasive species in parts of North America and Australia.

Similar species

Dwarf Water Lettuce
Pistia stratiotes
Red Root Floater
Phyllanthus fluitans
Salvinia
Salvinia auriculata

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Betta Fish
Betta splendens
Bettas appreciate the shaded, calm surface waters and frequently use the trailing roots to anchor their bubble nests.
Great
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Shrimp love to climb upside-down on the undersides of the leaves and graze on the micro-organisms caught in the fine root hairs.
Great
Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
Like Bettas, Gouramis are labyrinth fish that thrive under the natural canopy this plant provides.
Great
Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Goldfish are notorious for eating soft-leaved aquatic plants and will quickly consume the roots and leaves of Frogbit.
Not recommended
Silver Dollar
Metynnis argenteus
Herbivorous fish that will heavily graze on or entirely devour floating plants.
Not recommended

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