Cryptocoryne spiralis ‘Tiger’ (Tiger Cryptocoryne)

Description

Species Background

Cryptocoryne spiralis comes from South Asia, where it grows along marsh edges and slow flowing streams with soft, silty bottoms and shifting water levels through the seasons. ‘Tiger’ is a cultivated form selected for its bold striping and taller, narrower leaf shape, which makes it behave more like a vertical texture plant than a typical broad leaf crypt.

Growth Behavior

This is a rooted rosette plant that feeds heavily from the substrate and spreads by runners once it settles in. Like most Cryptocoryne, it prefers stability. When conditions change, it may shed older leaves and replace them with new growth adapted to your tank.

Size and Growth Form

Expected height is typically 10 to 20 inches in most aquariums, with a narrow, upright growth form that creates a clean vertical line. Spread varies by conditions and time, forming a clump as runners develop. In gentle current, the long leaves move naturally and add motion without needing “busy” plant mass.

Aquascaping Tip

Use it behind wood or stone to build height and depth, or place a small group off center as a vertical accent that breaks up large areas of green.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 72 to 82°F
• pH: 6.0 to 7.5
• GH: 3 to 12
• KH: 1 to 8

It handles a wide range of community tank parameters well when the tank is stable.

Light Requirements

Low to moderate light. Moderate light helps maintain stronger striping and a cleaner, more defined leaf pattern. In very low light it may grow taller and thinner.

CO₂ Requirements

CO₂ is optional. It can improve growth speed and leaf density, but the plant does well in low tech aquariums when nutrients and substrate are consistent.

Nutrient Requirements

Primarily a substrate feeder. A nutrient rich substrate or periodic root tabs will make a noticeable difference in long term growth and fullness. Water column fertilization helps, but the roots do the heavy lifting.

Tank Placement

Midground to background. Best used where its height and movement can be seen, without shading smaller foreground plants.

Why Aquarists Keep It

Cryptocoryne spiralis ‘Tiger’ adds vertical structure, natural leaf movement, and bold striping that reads clearly even from across the room. It also provides calm cover for fish and a stable surface zone that small micrograzers work around.

Short Description