RARE BUCEPHALANDRA BLACK CATHERINAE (Very Dark, Narrow Leaves)

(Information written by Aquarzon based on actual growing experience, observations and research. Please do not copy any information or photos) 

Portion Size : Around 5-6 Leaves per rhizome (leaf length is around 1cm to 1.5cm)

Growth Speed   : Slow-Very Slow
Difficulty Level   : Easy
Temperature      : 10-30°C
PH Range          : 5.5-7.8
Min. Light Needs: Low
Origin                 : Borneo, Asia

Bucephalandra Black Catherinae is a rare variety of small type Buce which can grow very dark and very narrow leaves.

It is the darkest variety among the several different varieties of the Catherinae that Aquarzon propagates. 

Although it is a small variety, their leaves grows a bit longer than Mini Catherinae. Mini Catherinae leaves are usually around 0.5-1cm in length whereas Black Catherinae are usually around 1-1.5cm in length. Depending on aquarium condition, their leaves can grow longer than that. 

This Bucephalandra Black Catherinae can still grow green leaves depending on lighting intensity, fertilisation and tank conditions it is being grown in. To encourage it to keep growing very dark leaves, high lighting intensity with RGB LED is recommended along with good fertilisation. 

Our original stock was sourced from a local Australian aquarium hobbyist a few years ago.

In the photo below taken by Aquarzon, the comparison between Bucephalandra Black Catherinae (top part of 1st photo) vs Mini Catherinae (bottom part of 1st photo) can be seen. This photo was taken under MML RGB LED. The Black Catherinae is clearly darker than the Mini Catherinae. It also grows longer leaves.

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Please note that not every piece has the same colour tone as it can change based on aquarium conditions that vary from time to time. For example, even by just moving it from center to a side of an aquarium, its new growth may be greener due to the reduction in lighting received. Aquarium lighting can also affect its appearance. Under pure white lighting, most Buce appear greener and under RGB LED aquarium lighting, most Buce usually reflect more colourful tones.

The Bucephalandra rhizome for sale here by Aquarzon here is indoor aquarium submersed grown. It is not emersed or tissue culture which can suffer melting when transitioned to an aquarium. This leads to ammonia and organics increase, making it susceptible to algae issues like BBA. It is also not pond grown which can carry outdoor parasites and diseases. It is also not harvested from the wild as it is non-legal and can cause extinction. The Buce rhizome for sale here is naturally aquarium-propagated which takes a long time due to its very slow growth rate. 

Majority of our Buce is aquarium submersed grown for 1-3 years and only sold once they meet our quality standards. The price reflects the care, effort and time in propagating these very slow-growing plants (some growing just 1 leaf in 2 weeks).

By purchasing from Aquarzon, you are assured of quality, indoor aquarium submersed grown Bucephalandra that do not suffer diseases or emerse-to-submerse melting issues that can affect emersed-grown Bucephalandra and support sustainable growth efforts which helps protect them from extinction.