Utricularia

Utricularia is the bladderwort genus, and it is unusual in an aquarium because it is carnivorous. Small bladder traps sit along the fine stems and take microscopic organisms from the water. In a tank it reads as a soft green tangle rather than a structured plant, either drifting near the surface or creeping low across the substrate and hardscape.

It prefers soft, gently acidic water and clean, moderate to bright light. CO2 is not required, though growth is denser with it, and nutrient demand is modest. Because it spreads by tangling rather than rooting firmly, expect to thin it and reposition it now and then.

It suits a keeper who likes an unusual, low-structure planting in a quiet nano tank rather than a formal aquascape. Availability is limited and rotates with each plant order, and local pickup is available at our Lethbridge store.

Browse the rest of the range in Live Plants.