Red Mangrove Propagule | Rhyzophora mangle
Red Mangrove Propagules
Scientific Name: Rhizophora mangle
Red Mangrove Propagules offer a unique opportunity to introduce the iconic structure and ecological benefits of a coastal tree into your aquarium. Best suited for brackish ecosystems, we have grown these in 100% freshwater with our betta hendra. These propagules begin as buoyant seedlings that gradually transform into rooted saplings, extending prop roots down into the substrate while sending leaves toward the light. Unlike traditional aquatic plants, Red Mangroves are grown emersed with their roots in water, leaves in air.
They are not fast-growing, but rather slow and deliberate. Patience is key with them! As they mature, they help stabilize substrates, encourage microfauna on their roots, and provide gentle nutrient absorption. To tie in the look and function of a mangrove forest, we also provide the dried red mangrove leaves, which are sustainably harvested and gently air-dried.
Caring for Red Mangroves in Blackwater Aquariums
Sold As: Sprouted Seedling
Care Level: Medium (Patience and consistency are key)
Lighting Requirement: Medium to High (Leaves must be above water and well-lit; avoid direct contact with hot bulbs)
CO2: Not Needed
Tint Tolerance: Not sensitive—will grow in tannin-rich environments as long as leaves remain dry and exposed to air
Growth Rate: Medium
Native Habitat: Coastal estuaries and intertidal zones in the Americas, especially Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America
Do not bury the propagule. Anchor vertically near the surface until roots begin to develop downward and leaves unfurl. Use in brackish water whenever possible. If keeping in freshwater, begin in freshwater from the start—do not switch salinity mid-growth. All Mangroves are sourced as legally-collected propagules and may contain natural surface variation.
All Plants may contain snails or snail eggs. We keep them in all of our tanks for the benefits they provide. Our blackwater aquarium plants are provided by H2OPlants in adherence to their Shipping and DOA Policies. Your curated selection will arrive in their packaging separate from your botanical & merch orders.
Home is getting a bit more natural
While the aesthetic appeal of botanicals and tinted water can be quite attractive to us, the recreation of nature to emulate water conditions, feeding patterns, spawning displays, and territory building are the true benefits botanicals provide to our critters.
Botanical FAQs
Compostable Packaging Promise
Our packaging is designed to return safely to the Earth, just like the botanicals inside. Every bag is BPA- and Phthalate-free, GMO-free, and contains no animal products. Each meets ASTM D6400 composting standards, ensuring it can fully break down in a home compost bin.
What are the Fluffy White Growths on my Botanicals?
That’s biofilm and fungi—what we call the “goo phase.” It’s one of the clearest signs that your aquarium is alive and functioning. These growths wax and wane naturally as botanicals decompose. They’re harmless, even beneficial, and will disappear on their own once microbial populations stabilize.
Will botanicals lower the pH of my water?
That depends entirely on your source water. In very soft or RODI water, botanicals can gradually lower pH as tannins and humic substances accumulate. In medium to hard tap water, buffering capacity often resists these shifts, and you may not notice much change. At Betta Botanicals HQ, our very hard water (350+ ppm) shows almost no pH change unless we use botanicals like Alder Cones or Macaranga Leaves.
When should I replace leaves or pods in my tank?
We recommend allowing botanicals to fully break down into detritus, since this fuels microbial life and enriches the substrate. You can remove them once they stop tinting the water, but you’ll lose some of their ecological benefits. Each time you add new botanicals, follow proper preparation and observe your livestock until you learn your aquarium’s rhythm.
Are your products just for bettas?
Nope. Our botanicals are safe for almost all aquariums, terrariums, vivariums, and paludariums. The only exceptions are goldfish and axolotls, which may ingest small pods like alder cones or casuarina cones. For those species, we recommend large leaves such as Indian Almond, Loquat, or Jackfruit.
What are Tannins?
Tannins are natural compounds released by leaves, seed pods, and bark as they decompose in water. They soften water, gently lower pH, and create the characteristic tea-stained tint found in blackwater habitats. But their role goes far beyond color—tannins fuel beneficial bacteria, fungi, and biofilms, which form the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. They also offer mild antifungal benefits and help reduce stress in fish by replicating the natural conditions they’ve evolved in. At their core, tannins are plant-derived antioxidants that connect your aquarium to the same processes at work in wild flooded forests and streams.