HELP! What kind of plant is this?

[CoreyMac]

I think it is in the Anubias family. I did the rookie thing and bought a plant I didn't know much of anything about. The gal at petsmart told me that it was a low-maintenance plant. This is the best pitcure I can get right now. My digital camera is down and I am reduced to using the phone. I want to know the name for it if anyone can help.

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/ATrainBuc/plant.JPG

[sarcare]

It looks like a crypt of some kind, don't wory if the leaves die back, it is typical for that species.

[CoreyMac]

possibly a crypt. Very good. Thank you. Anyone agree or disagree?

[pugman]

Looks like red Cryptocoryne wendtii. Great plant--easy to grow even without tons of light and a C02 system. Mine is thriving in a rather low-tech setup. I do supplement with Flourish Excel, Trace and Iron, however.

[CoreyMac]

I have a book coming on all things aquaria. Before I buy a plant I ask if I need to introduce CO2 to the system, but am told that with what I have, I should not add CO2. These things you mentioned - flourish excel, trace and the like... should I use these?

[plah831]

Depends on what kind and how much lighting you have. If you have lots of light, plants photosynthesize a lot and will need a source of carbon (either CO2 or Excel) and extra nutrients besides what's in your tap water and from your fish wastes. If you have low light, you can get away with no need for extra carbon or nutrients, just do regular water changes (50% weekly) to replenish used up minerals and metals.

[CoreyMac]

I have no clue about the lighting. Guess I will have to get back to you on that one. I plan on adding several more plants, so I suppose I should start picking up these extras.

[plah831]

if you want to get more serious about plants, I'd suggest probably retrofitting your current fixture or buying a new fixture.

Is your current lighting only a single bulb flourescent? That's normally the standard one that comes with tank kits, and is not enough light for anything but very low light plants like java fern, Anacharis, Anubias, some crypts.

[CoreyMac]

It is a single bulb. It has a GE Wide Spectrum 20W bulb. I bought what I believe to be an asian ambulia ( Looks Almost Exactly like this one (http://www.plantgeek.net/images/plantpics/ambulia.jpg) )and it has doubled in size over the past week.

[CoreyMac]

Actually it is a Cabomba, not asian ambulia.