Why is my Egeria densa turning brown and shedding leaves at the bottom?

This is typically caused by insufficient light reaching the lower parts of the stem. Ensure your light is strong enough to penetrate to the substrate, and avoid planting the stems too closely together, which causes them to shade one another.

Can I grow Brazilian Waterweed floating?

Yes, absolutely. It naturally grows as a floating mat in many environments. Floating it positions it closer to the light source, often resulting in even faster growth.

Do I need to use CO2 injection for this plant?

No, it is highly adaptable and will grow very well without supplemental CO2. However, injecting CO2 will significantly accelerate its already rapid growth rate.

Is liquid carbon safe for Egeria densa?

Generally, no. Egeria densa is notoriously sensitive to glutaraldehyde, the active ingredient in most liquid carbon products, which will often cause the plant to melt and die.

How do I plant it in the substrate?

Simply take a cutting, strip the bottom inch of leaves off to prevent them rotting beneath the soil, and push the bare stem gently into your gravel or soil using planting tweezers.

FreshwaterPlantsBeginner

Brazilian Waterweed

Egeria densa

A robust, fast-growing stem plant ideal for beginners, highly valued for its oxygenating properties and ability to absorb excess nutrients.

List this species for sale Find Brazilian Waterweed near me

Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 10 – 25 °C
pH range: 6.5 – 8
Hardness: 5 – 20 dGH
Adult size: 30 – 100 cm
Nano tank: 20 litres+
Lifespan: 1 – 5 years
Diet: Photosynthetic
Water flow: low to moderate
Preferred setup: Can be planted into the substrate in groups or left freely floating at the surface.

About the Brazilian Waterweed

Brazilian Waterweed, frequently traded under the older name Anacharis, is one of the most popular and enduring aquatic plants in the hobby. Characterised by its long, vibrant green stems clad in dense whorls of lanceolate leaves, it creates lush, forested backgrounds in the aquarium. Its legendary hardiness makes it a staple for new aquarists, particularly in coldwater or unheated setups, though it remains highly versatile across tropical community tanks. Because of its vigorous growth rate, it is an excellent tool for combating nuisance algae by outcompeting it for available nutrients in the water column.

Find Brazilian Waterweed

Search current listings in your chosen area. If none are available, save an alert and we’ll let you know when a match is listed.

Find locally Check compatibility Add to a Setup

Availability alerts only use public sale listings. Adding this species to a Setup updates your private records.

Is it right for your tank?

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

Where Brazilian Waterweed comes from

Native range

South America, Paraná River Basin

Countries / regions

Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay

Habitat

Found in slow-moving or stagnant bodies of water, including lakes, ponds, canals, and sluggish rivers, where it forms dense, submerged mats.

Now naturalised in many temperate and subtropical regions worldwide, where it is often considered an invasive species.

Similar species

Canadian Pondweed
Elodea canadensis
Hydrilla
Hydrilla verticillata
Hornwort
Ceratophyllum demersum

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

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
Livebearers appreciate the dense cover provided by the foliage, offering fry an excellent place to hide.
Great
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Shrimp thrive in the fine leaves, safely foraging for biofilm and algae that accumulate on the stems.
Great
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Small, peaceful fish benefit from the oxygenation and security of a densely planted background.
Great
Goldfish
Carassius auratus
While a popular coldwater combination, goldfish are notorious for nibbling on soft-leaved plants and may consume it entirely.
Compatible with caution
Silver Dollar
Metynnis argenteus
These largely herbivorous fish view soft-leaved aquatic plants as their primary food source and will quickly decimate the stems.
Not recommended
Buenos Aires Tetra
Psalidodon anisitsi
A well-known plant eater that will relentlessly graze on the foliage until the plant is destroyed.
Not recommended

Current marketplace listings

Checking the marketplace…

See all Brazilian Waterweed listings

Public Wanted requests

No open requests for Brazilian Waterweed in this market yet.

Looking for Brazilian Waterweed?

Search current listings near you, or post a wanted request so local sellers know what you’re looking for.

Search Brazilian Waterweed listings Post a wanted request