STRAAT Dutch Style · Plant Encyclopedia

🌿

Photo coming soon

Syngonanthus macrocaulon

Syngonanthus macrocaulon (= Tonina sp. 'Belem')

🌍 Brazil · Amazon · blackwater rivers Uncommon CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Most common species — formerly traded as "Tonina sp. Belem". Compact with dense green crowns on thin stems. Branches naturally under good growth. NEVER cut tops! Requires truly soft blackwater conditions.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Easiest Syngonanthus. Ideal entry point for the genus in Dutch style.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Syngonanthus lago grande

Syngonanthus sp. 'Lago Grande'

🌍 Brazil · Lago Grande region Uncommon CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Similar to macrocaulon but with more pointed/spiky growing crowns. The spikier crown gives different visual texture. NEVER cut tops. Same soft water requirements.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Spikier crown than macrocaulon — slightly different texture in Dutch style.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Syngonanthus manaus / Inondatus

Syngonanthus sp. 'Manaus'

🌍 Brazil · Manaus region Uncommon CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Larger species than macrocaulon. Similar appearance but grows significantly taller. Inondatus may also refer to the same strain. Same soft water requirements as macrocaulon.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Larger version of macrocaulon for background in Dutch style.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Syngonanthus Rio Negro Giant

Syngonanthus sp. 'Rio Negro Giant'

🌍 Brazil · Rio Negro Uncommon CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Largest Syngonanthus variant. Impressive branching stems. NEVER cut tops. Same ultra-soft water requirements as all Syngonanthus species.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Largest species — impressive background in Dutch style. Large tank needed.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Syngonanthus caulescens / Bolivia 2002

Syngonanthus caulescens (= Eriocaulon Bolivia 2002)

🌍 South America · Bolivia / Brazil Uncommon CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Synonym of the species formerly traded as "Eriocaulon Bolivia 2002". One of the earlier introductions to the hobby. Same soft water requirements as other Syngonanthus species.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Early introduced Syngonanthus. NEVER cut tops.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Syngonanthus Madeira

Syngonanthus sp. 'Madeira'

🌍 Brazil · Madeira river Uncommon CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Syngonanthus species from the Madeira river area in Brazil. Similar in care to macrocaulon but slightly less available. Ultra-soft water essential.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Madeira river Syngonanthus variant for Dutch style.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Syngonanthus Meta

Syngonanthus sp. 'Meta'

🌍 Colombia · Meta river Uncommon CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Colombian species named after the Meta region (same as Ludwigia Meta). Fine stems with bright green crowns. Same soft water requirements as other Syngonanthus species.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Colombian Meta river Syngonanthus for Dutch style.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Syngonanthus Pedra

Syngonanthus sp. 'Pedra'

🌍 Brazil · rocky rapids Rare CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Rare and demanding Syngonanthus from rocky rapids. KH preferably 0 (ultra-soft). One of the most difficult species in the genus. Only for the most experienced soft water aquarists.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–1 °dKH

⚠ KH preferably 0 — ultra-soft water

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Rare demanding Syngonanthus for experts with ultra-soft water setup.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline
KH preferably 0 — hardest of all Syngonanthus
Ultra-soft water required

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Syngonanthus Uaupes

Syngonanthus sp. 'Uaupes'

🌍 Brazil · Uaupes river (Rio Vaupés) Uncommon CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Syngonanthus species from the Uaupes/Vaupés river area on the Brazil-Colombia border. Similar soft water requirements to other species. Medium-high difficulty.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Uaupes river Syngonanthus for Dutch style.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Syngonanthus Vichada

Syngonanthus sp. 'Vichada'

🌍 Colombia · Vichada department Uncommon CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Colombian species from the Vichada department. Similar soft water requirements to other Syngonanthus. NEVER cut tops.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Colombian Vichada Syngonanthus for Dutch style.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Syngonanthus La Lindosa

Syngonanthus sp. 'La Lindosa'

🌍 Colombia · La Lindosa region Rare CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Rare Syngonanthus from the La Lindosa area in Colombia. Highly priced (€35). Similar ultra-soft water requirements. Limited availability.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Rare Colombian Syngonanthus. Ultra-soft water setup required.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Tonina fluviatilis

Tonina fluviatilis Aubl.

🌍 Amazon · Venezuela · Brazil · Guyana · rivers Uncommon CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Classic soft-water stem plant with whorls of fine leaves. Similar to Syngonanthus but is a separate genus. NEVER cut tops — fatal. Acidic soil essential. Requires ultra-soft water conditions (KH <2°).

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Classic soft-water stem plant. NEVER cut tops.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Tonina fluviatilis Lotus Blossom

Tonina fluviatilis 'Lotus Blossom'

🌍 Amazon · Brazil Rare CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Popular Tonina variety with characteristic lotus-like growing heads. Spectacular compound flower-bud appearance. Same ultra-soft water requirements as T. fluviatilis. NEVER cut tops.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Lotus-like growing heads are spectacular. Ultra-soft water required.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)

🌿

Photo coming soon

Tonina Tocantis

Tonina sp. 'Tocantis'

🌍 Brazil · Tocantins river Uncommon CO₂ Required Diff.: ★★★ 📏 Midground/Background 📈 Slow

Tonina variant from the Tocantins river area. Similar soft water requirements as T. fluviatilis. NEVER cut tops.

⚗️ Water parameters

🌡️ Temp

22–28 °C

⚗️ pH

4.5–6.5 pH

🔵 KH

0–2 °dKH

⚠ KH <2° required — preferably 0-1°

💧 GH

1–8 °dGH

📊 TDS

20–100 ppm

🌿 CO₂

15–30 ppm

🧪 NO₃

2–10 ppm

🔬 PO₄

0.05–0.2 ppm

⚙️ Fe

0.05–0.2 ppm

💡 PAR

60–200 µmol

🪨 Ammonia-rich acidic soil required

🇳🇱 Dutch Style

Tocantins river Tonina. NEVER cut tops.

💡 Tips

NEVER cut the growing tops — plant will die
Only thin from bottom to control height
KH <2° is the absolute key
Acidic soil (pH <6.5) required
Keep CO₂ stable — fluctuations cause decline

🔍 Problems

⚠ Plant dies after trimming

→ Growing tops cut — FATAL

⚠ Slow decline

→ KH too high (above 2°)