plant · Araliaceae
Hydrocotyle Japan
Hydrocotyle tripartita
Wild range: Eastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria) and New Zealand; aquarium trade often labeled SE Asia (Oceania)
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At a glance: Hydrocotyle Japan care
Compiled reference information. Review the care notes and original sources below.
What temperature is listed for Hydrocotyle Japan?
The compiled profile lists 18.0–28.0 °C for Hydrocotyle Japan (Hydrocotyle tripartita). Check the original sources below for context and differing recommendations.
What tank size is listed for Hydrocotyle Japan?
The profile lists a minimum tank volume of 5.0 US gallons (20.0 liters). Volume alone does not establish suitability; consider dimensions, group size and other inhabitants alongside the full care notes.
What pH is listed for Hydrocotyle Japan?
The compiled profile lists a pH of 5.0–7.5. Review the cited care sources alongside the other water parameters in this profile.
Natural habitat
Low creeping amphibious pennywort with small, vivid green, deeply three-lobed clover-like leaves on thin stems. Spreads by runners over moist banks and into shallow water; in aquaria forms a carpet under strong light or a bushier midground clump when allowed to grow upright.
Where they are found
Primary trade name Hydrocotyle tripartita (Tropica, Dennerle, Buce); Flowgrow treats the aquarium form as Hydrocotyle cf. tripartita pending emersed flower/fruit ID. Common trade labels Hydrocotyle sp. 'Japan', H. sp. Japan, H. sp. Australia, Japanese pennywort — kept as aliases. Misapplied name Hydrocotyle maritima is incorrect (Flowgrow). Wild H. tripartita is Australian/NZ (Wikipedia/GBIF; Dennerle Origin Australia); Tropica lists Origin Asia for the SE-Asian trade path of this variant. Family Araliaceae (APG/Flowgrow/Wikipedia); older nursery cards sometimes still say Apiaceae.
Aquarium care
Plant small portions into fine nutrient substrate or tuck runners into hardscape cracks; it also attaches well to rock and wood. Medium light is the catalog baseline (Tropica Medium; Dennerle/Flowgrow medium–high). CO2 is optional: Tropica rates CO2 Low and the plant grows without injection, but denser, lower creeping carpets need stronger light plus CO2 and frequent trimming (2Hr Aquarist, Dennerle). Under weaker light it grows more upright into a midground bush. Fast grower—trim runners before they overrun neighbors; replant tip cuttings. Fertilize regularly; pale leaves usually mean nutrient shortfall. Shrimp-safe tissue-culture cups are widely sold.
Compatibility
Peaceful community plant; Flowgrow lists nano suitability. Will shade or smother slower foreground plants if unchecked. Not a food plant issue for typical community fish; goldfish may nibble soft stems. Pair with other medium-light stems or hardscape accents; keep clear of delicate carpets you do not want overgrown.
Sources
Compiled from multiple independent care sheets — not copied from a single site.