{"product_id":"red-root-floater-phyllanthus-fluitans-freshwater","title":"Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) | Live Freshwater Floating Plant, Beginner","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eRed Root Floater\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePhyllanthus fluitans\u003c\/em\u003e) is a beginner-friendly floating aquarium plant prized for its small lily-pad leaves and signature crimson roots. Under medium to high light, the leaves blush a deep red-pink that contrasts beautifully against green tanks and shows off bettas, gouramis, or shrimp swimming below. Each cup is a hand-portioned starter colony ready to drop into a tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSee more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\" target=\"_blank\"\u003efreshwater aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e or shop \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eall freshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beginner — one of the easiest floating plants once acclimated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium to high. Strong light brings out the red coloration; low light keeps the leaves green and growth slow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Floats on the surface — no planting needed. Drop in and let it spread.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSurface flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep flow gentle. Strong filter return or surface agitation will splash water onto the leaves and rot them. Use a feeding ring, surface skimmer baffle, or barrier to corral floaters in one area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNutrients:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavy water-column feeder. Pulls nitrates, phosphates, and trace minerals straight from the water — making it a great natural nutrient sponge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO2:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not required. Atmospheric CO2 is freely available from the air.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePropagation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spreads by daughter plants — clip and remove excess weekly to prevent surface coverage and shade out submerged plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\"\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eRed Root Floater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhyllanthus fluitans\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eSouth America (Amazon Basin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eMedium to High\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eSurface (floating)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMin. Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e5 gal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e70–82°F (21–28°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eSoft to moderately hard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Root Floater pairs especially well with bettas, gouramis, killifish, dwarf cichlids, and shrimp tanks — the dangling roots provide cover for fry, biofilm grazing for shrimp, and shade that softens overhead light. Avoid tanks with strong surface agitation or top-feeding fish that constantly disturb the leaves (large goldfish, oscars, severums).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/christmas-moss-portion-cup\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eChristmas Moss\u003c\/a\u003e — classic carpeting moss for the lower scape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bucephalandra-kapuas-brownie-ghost-freshwater-plant\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBucephalandra Kapuas Brownie Ghost\u003c\/a\u003e — low-light midground rhizome plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/eriocaulon-sp-vietnam-rare-freshwater-aquarium-plant\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eEriocaulon sp. Vietnam\u003c\/a\u003e — rare star-shaped foreground accent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBrowse all freshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e for more midground and background options.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow red will the leaves get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nUnder strong full-spectrum light, leaves take on a deep pink-red blush along the edges and veins. Under low light, leaves stay mostly green — healthy, but without the signature color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFast under good conditions. Expect a small portion to double surface coverage in 1–2 weeks. Plan to thin it weekly so it doesn’t shade out submerged plants below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe with shrimp and bettas?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes — ideal for both. Shrimp graze biofilm off the dangling roots, and bettas use the canopy as a resting spot near the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it survive without CO2 or fertilizers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. Floating plants get CO2 from the air and pull nutrients from the water column, so they thrive even in low-tech tanks. A balanced liquid fertilizer can boost growth and color in nutrient-poor tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat comes in the cup?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA hand-portioned starter colony — typically several connected daughter plants ready to spread. Quantity varies slightly with each batch.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48518204752091,"sku":"FW5-MREROP","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_021ac910-435a-4588-a0b9-2246da0c3263.jpg?v=1774634477","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-root-floater-phyllanthus-fluitans-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}