In this guide on the Bucephalandra we will teach you everything you need to know about the care of this Aquarium Plant.
CARD OF LA BUCEPHALANDRA
La Bucephalandra is a rhizome aquatic plant from the Araceae family found in fast flowing rivers, very similar to Anubias and Cryptocorynes. When they were first introduced to aquarium hobby, they were compared to Cryptocoryne species for their overall appearance. However, its rhizomes and roots are more in line with the characteristics of the Anubias. These types of plants have been known for more than 150 years, but not so long since they were introduced to the hobby of planted aquariums. The genus Bucephalandra is a plant still relatively hard to find in stores It captivates many fans around the world thanks to the attractive appearance of its leaves and striking colors. In this article we will show you detailed information about what is known about these plants so far.
HABITAT AND ORIGIN
All Bucephalandras are endemic, meaning they can only be found in certain areas, usually islands. These aquatic plants are from the island of Borneo. To this day, they are continually discovered new varieties of Bucephalandra that had not been previously scientifically recorded.
La Bucephalandra It is found in rivers and streams, usually on the banks of rivers. Borneo has a tropical climate, which means that it is not the same climate all year round, with annual average temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius. Despite the consistent weather in some areas of the island, Borneo still has two seasons that are determined by the amount of rain. During the rainy season, when the river level rises, the Bucephalandras that grow on the banks of the river become dive underwater for a few months. However, this does not prevent them from adapting, continuing to grow and being able to easily transform their leaves into their submerged form. The main differences between the submerged and emerged form is that they have a more delicate leaf structure and exhibit a more intense coloration when they are underwater.
Despite being relatively new to the Aquarium hobby, there are records of Bucephalandra in the scientific world since 1858.
GROWTH OF LA BUCEPHALANDRA
In Aquariums, Bucephalandras can grow anchored to wood, roots and objects intended for reproduction such as stainless steel or ceramic meshes. The root system of these plants develops best on hard surfaces like rocks, for example (volcanic rock is a good option). The roots adhere strongly to virtually any surface.
In the Bucephalandras, the rate of crecimiento it depends on the variety. Some varieties can produce 2 leaves per week under optimal conditions, while others produce only 1 leaf every 2 weeks. In general they are said to be slow growing plants, but if you provide them with an intense light, the correct fertilization, and a good contribution of CO2, a faster growth rate will be achieved.
It is difficult to know what factors cause the plant to produce flowers (inflorescences). Flowering in Anubias species is often due to deteriorating environmental conditions and is considered a form of plant survival. However, the Bucephalandras can flourish when they have access to a complete supply of nutrients and when they are in ideal conditions. Even Bucephalandras can have more than one flower at a time.
Because Bucephalandras grow slowlyGreen spot algae can be a common problem, which can limit access to light and also slow down the growth rate of the plant. However, they are very resistant and most types of algae can be removed by using a 5-10 minute bath in a "glutaraldehyde" solution (4 ml of glutaraldehyde per 500 ml of water). The glutaraldehyde solution safer on moss and delicate liverworts than other types of abrasives. This mixture is too weak to damage Bucephalandra leaves, but it is strong enough to kill algae.
All the bucephalandras also they can grow in paludos, but the coloration of the leaves tends to be weaker, and the leaves tend to be harder. They must be kept with very high humidity To thrive in these kinds of environments, otherwise the leaves may start to dry up bit by bit.
PARAMETERS OF LA BUCEPHALANDRA
The parameters of water that the Bucephalandra can tolerate are the following:
| Lighting design | Low - Medium |
| Temperature | 20º - 28º (they can support more than 30º) |
| PH | 5.0 – 8.0 |
| Hardness |
Almost anyone (preferably low) |
| Co2 | Optional |
It should be noted that, due to the fact that Bucephalandras are Riófitas type (plants that like fast currents), we must mention that we will need to provide similar conditions in our aquariums in order to achieve the best results with these plants. Such currents can be achieved by using an internal filter, a small water pump, or by placing them near the filter outlet. Bucephalandra leaves are flexible when acclimatized underwater.
In stressful situations associated with environmental changes (such as changes in light and water parameters), Bucephalandras can lose some of their leaves. This occurs in a similar way in Cryptocoryne species (often referred to as “Cryptocoryne disease”). Sudden changes in fertilizer or an algae infestation are often responsible for the loss of leaves. However, this process is gradual and there is rarely a situation where the plant quickly loses all of its leaves, so it is usually possible for the hobbyist to treat the problem before all the leaves have fallen. Even without leaves, if the rhizome is healthy, the plant is still alive and usually recovers over time. Dimming the light and increasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water when the photoperiod ends can help the plant recover much faster.
Even without high lighting, in a low tech aquarium, Bucephalandras in well oxygenated waters can continue to grow and continue to produce new leaves, but the color of the plant is usually not as striking.
Being an easy and undemanding plant, Bucephalandras can be a good choice for a planted shrimp or aquarium.
Green leaves are common when Bucephalandra is grown out of the water (in emerged). In plants that have been submerged, the green leaves near the bottom of the stem remain, while the new dark leaves near the tip are the result of having grown underwater.
To guarantee a good coloration, strong lighting recommended and add nutrients to the water column. Small amounts of CO2 and fertilizer can help the plant to show more attractive colors.
SPECIES OF BUCEPHALANDRA AND NAMES
The name of the genus Bucephalandra refers to the shape of the stamens that resemble the head of a bull, it is based on three Greek words: bous - bull, Kephale - head and andros - male, It is also said that it refers to the name of the black horse of Alexander-Bucephalus.
Currently, there are 30 Bucephalandra species which are described in the botanical books, the most prominent are: Bucephalandra gigantea which was described in 1984 by one of the most famous experts on aroids, the German Joseph Bogner (J. Bogner), Bucephalandra motleyana, this was described by the Austrian Heinrich Schott (H. Schott) in 1858, the name of this species is given in honor of a plant collector, the English engineer James Motley (J. Motley) and Bucephalandra catherinaeThis plant is named after the artist Eleanor Catherine, illustrator of one of S. Mayo's books, J. Bogner and P. Boyce.
Other scientifically described Bucephalandra species along with their commercial name they are:
Bucephalandra Akantha
Bucephalandra aurantiitheca (Bucephalandra Longspath)
Bucephalandra Belindae
Bucephalandra bogneri (Bucephalandra Serian)
Bucephalandra chimaerae
Bucephalandra Chrysokoupae (Bucephalandra Marie, Miranda or Julia)
Bucephalandra Diabolica (Bucephalandra Paris)
Bucephalandra elliptica
Bucephalandra filiformis
Bucephalandra Forcipula (Giant Bucephalandra)
Bucephalandra Goliath (Bucephalandra Goliath)
Bucephalandra Kerangas
Bucephalandra Kishii (Bucephalandra Skeleton King or Dark Achilles)
Bucepholandra Magnifolia
Bucephalandra Micrantha
Bucephalandra Minotaur (Bucephalandra Giant)
Bucephalandra Muluensis
Bucephalandra oblanceolata
Bucephalandra Oncophora
Bucephalandra Pubes (Sekadau 2)
Bucephalandra Pygmaea (Bucephalandra Bukit Kelam)
Bucephalandra sordidula (Bucephalandra Titan)
Bucephalandra Spathulifolia (Bucephalandra Tebakang)
Bucephalandra Tetana (Bucephalandra penelope)
Ultramafic Bucephalandra
Bucephalandra Vespula
Bucephalandra Yengiae
However, you can find more than 500 variants within trade names, and the vast majority are new species that have not yet been described.
Here we show you a complete list of the trade names of Bucephalandra that we know:
Bucephalandra names
- # 4, Daerah Malawi
- The thing
- Abun turquois
- Achilles, Central Kalimantan
- Adonis purple
- Alamanda purple
- Alamanda V1 Blue
- Alamanda V3 Dark
- Alamanda V4 Purple
- Amanda
- Amanda red
- Angel tears
- animus
- antyovani
- Aphrodite
- Apollo
- Apple Leaf, Malinau
- Aquamarine
- Aragon
- Army Red
- arrogant Blue
- Arrow head
- Athena
- Atlas
- Aurora
- Aurora Blue
- Aurora Blue (limited edition)
- Aurora Blue, Melawi
- Aurora, Melawi
- Aurum
- Balai Karangan aka Giant Red Stem
- Balai Karangan, Sanggau
- Balloon
- Batang Lemanak
- Batang Sadong
- Batang Kawa
- Batang Ai
- Belindae
- Mini Bibles
- Biblis Pink "Alamanda Green"
- Bibles Pink Green
- Bibles Network
- Biblis Sky Blue "Fino Mimosa"
- Bibles, West Kalimantan
- Bilbis Dark
- Bingo
- bishai
- Black Achilles
- Black Angel
- Black bell
- Black Carpet, Daerah Melawi
- Black catherine
- Black centipede
- Black Centipede 2, Melawi
- Black ghost
- Black hades
- Black Kayu Manis
- Black Leaf
- Black mist
- Black Pearl "Odin"
- Black phantom
- Black Purple
- Black Pink
- Black semuntai
- Black shappire
- Black Velvet
- Black ventii
- Black wave
- Blue bell
- Blue centipede
- Blue emerald
- Blue gaia
- Blue Giant
- Blue Green
- Blue Leaf Melawi South, West Kalimantan
- Blue maharani
- Blue theia
- Blue Theia type 2
- BlueTitan
- Upper Stream
- Blue Velvet
- Blue Dream
- Blue, Sekadau
- Stupid
- Bodock 2
- Bogneri
- Bonti
- Bonti river
- braun rot
- Braun-Rot, Serimbu
- Bronze Mini
- Bronze Red
- brown leaves
- Brown Red
- Brownie
- adinda
- Brownie amanda
- Athena brownie
- Brownie blue
- Indo Brownie
- Brownie Brown, Ulu Kapuas
- Brownie Bukit bank
- Brownie Firebird
- Brownie firebird
- Brownie ghost
- Brownie Ghost 2011
- Brownie Ghost El Nino
- Brownie Ghost from the south 2015
- Helena Brownie
- Hermes Brownie
- Brownie Irises
- Brownie Irises 2
- Jade Brownie
- Brownie Jade New Location
- Muda Merah Brownie
- Metallic Brownie
- Metallica Brownie
- Brownie opera
- Phantom Brownie
- Phantom Mini Brownie
- Phantom Red Brownie
- Phantom green brownie
- Phantom type 2 brownie
- Brownie phoenix
- brownie phoenix 2
- Brownies Phoenix Mini
- Brownie Phoenix Purple
- Brownies Phoenix Red
- brownie pixel
- Pixy Brownie
- Brownie purple
- Red Brownie
- Brownie Red Cuba
- Brownie Red, Ulu Kapuas
- Sapharius brownie
- Brownie sugar
- Sweet brownie
- Brownie Upper Ghost
- Bukit biru
- Bukit Kelam I
- Bukit Kelam Utara Dark Green, Kalimantan
- Bukit Kelam, Sintang
- Bulu ayam
- Bulu Ayam Red
- bungan
- Canyon
- Cascade king
- Catherine Mini
- Catherine Green
- Catherineae Mini Green
- Catherineae Red
- Centipede
- Central Borneo
- Central Cali, North Kudagan
- Cherish
- Cherish 2
- Cherish 3
- Cherish 4
- Cherry
- Cherry Black
- Cherry mini
- Cherry Red
- Chili green
- chinasaw
- Cyprys
- Claudia
- Cleopatra
- Coch
- Coin
- Coin 2
- Copy Susu
- Copi Susu, Kalimantan
- Copper Leaf Melawi, West Kalimantan
- Copper Leaf, West Kalimantan
- Corona
- Green Crown
- Crimson
- Crocodile land
- Cypris, East Kalimantan
- D2, Kalimantan
- Dark Achilles "Skeleton King"
- Dark Achilles Mini "Skeleton King Mini"
- Dark afika
- Dark black rose
- dark Blue
- Dark centini
- Dark green brownish
- Dark green wavy
- Dark Grey
- Dark Metallic Wave
- Dark narcissus
- Dark Pearl Gray
- Dark Pedang
- Dark purple
- Dark pygmea
- Dark Silver Gray
- Dark skull
- Dark Super Mini
- Dark tears
- dark velvet
- Dark Velvet Mini
- Dark Violet
- dark
- daun pedang
- Deep Purple, Kapuas
- Diablo
- Eclipse, Malawi
- Elegant Blue
- Emerald Carpet
- Emerald, Daerah Melawi, West Kalimantan
- Emerald, East Borneo
- Enae Red
- Entikong Small, West Kalimantan
- Entikong type 2
- Entikong, West Kalimantan
- Emerald
- Emerald Red
- Evny red
- Fake Cascade King
- Fake Catherine
- Fake penelope
- Fake pink lady
- Fake semadang
- Fine Edge Green Melawi, West Kalimantan
- Flaming sword
- Flaming Sword Mini
- Flamingo
- Gaia
- Gianmara
- Giant catherine
- gigantea bogner
- Giant Blue Wave
- Gladys Borneo
- Gladius
- Gladius Mini
- Godzila
- Godzilla Green Mini
- Godzilla mini
- Gold wave
- Golden bell
- Golden shark
- Goliath
- Gorilla
- Gost long leaf
- Gray sokan
- Green Acentana
- Green Saw, West Kalimantan
- green scotlight
- Green Spathe, Daerah Sanggau
- Green tears
- Green Velvet
- Green Velvet 2
- Green Velvet Leaf type 1, Daerah Sanggau
- Green Velvet Leaf type 2, Daerah Sanggau
- Green Velvet Leaf, Daerah Sanggau
- Green, West Kalimantan
- Gray green
- Gray Silver
- Gunung betung
- Gunung sumpit
- Hades
- Hades blue
- Dark Hades
- Mini Hades
- HadesOriginal
- Helen Dark
- Helios
- Heron
- Horned Leaf, Daerah Sanggau, West Kalimantan
- Hyperion, Melawi
- I.O Black
- IO Green
- Intermediate
- IO "Fino Sherry"
- Isabelle dark
- Isabelle gold
- Jade pearl
- Kalbar from Mukok
- kanowit
- kapit
- chapter 4
- Kapit Sulatan "Green Chapter"
- Kapit Sulatan Red
- Kapuas Hulu
- kayu lapis
- kayu lapis 1
- Kayu Manis Brown
- Kayu Manis Brown, Ulu Kapuas
- kedagang
- kedagang 2
- Kedagang Classic
- Japan
- Kedagang Mini
- Kedagang Mini type 2
- Kedagang Purple
- Kedagang Round
- Ken arok
- Dagger
- King crododile
- King Kong
- Kir Adonis, West Kalimantan
- Kir Royale
- Kirara, Daerah, Malawi
- Clarina
- Kota baru
- Krivbass, Ulu Kapuas
- Kualakuayan 1
- Kualakuayan 2
- Kudangan, Central Kalimantan
- Laline
- Lalin Black
- Lalina Green Blue
- Lamandau Classic
- Lamandau Green
- Lamandau Mini
- Lamandau Mini Green
- Lamandau Mini Purple
- Lamandau Mini Red
- Lamandau Purple
- Lamandau Round
- Lamandau Round Leaf
- Lanjak Entimau
- Last moon
- Laura
- Long Stem, Daerah Sanggau, West Kalimantan
- Luna
- Macam 2, Daerah Melawi, West Kalimantan
- Magnum blue
- Maia
- Malinau
- Marie
- Mau Flight, Sarawak
- mawang 1
- Mawang green
- Malay
- Melawi Blue
- Melawi Dark
- Melawi Fine Edge
- Melawi Green
- Melon
- Melon blue
- mentarang
- Metal
- Metalica
- Metallic Gray
- Metallic wave
- Metallica Big Leaf
- Microcatherinae
- Microtype 2
- Midnight Blue
- Midnight blue 2
- Mini Black Carpet
- mini catherinae
- mini-coin
- Mini-Melawi
- Mini Needle Leaf
- Mini Purple
- Mini Pygmaea
- Mini Red Velvet
- Mini Velvet
- Mini Wave, Daerah Sanggau, West Kalimantan
- Mini beetle
- Mirabelle Perfect Ghost, Rubicundum Sericeus
- Miranda
- Motleyana "Brown Leaves"
- Motleyana "Brown Red"
- Motleyana "Giant Catherine"
- Motleyana "Pancuraji"
- Motleyana "Sungai Ayak"
- Motleyana Batang Ai
- Motleyana Black Purple
- Motleyana Giant
- motleyana gray
- Motleyana Padawan
- Motleyana Red Mini
- Motleyana White Line, Central Sarawak
- Mukok I
- Mukok Network
- Nanga Bunut 1
- Nanga Mahap, Sanggau
- Nanga Pinoh "Gray"
- Nanga Pinoh "Lagoon"
- Nanga Pinoh "Tangerine"
- Nanga Pinoh Green
- Nanga Pinoh Gray
- Nanga Sepauk
- Nanga Taman "Big Brown"
- Nanga Taman, Sanggau
- daffodil 1
- daffodil 2
- daffodil 3
- Narcissus Blue
- Narrow Leaf Sintang, West Kalimantan
- Neo Amanda
- North Sanggau
- Noyan, Sanggau
- Odissey
- Olong kurik
- Ongis Swim
- Palm Tree, Daerah Sanggau
- Pancuraji
- Pandora Coin
- Pandora Coin Purple
- Pandora Mini Brown
- Pandora queen
- Paris
- Pearl Gray
- Penelope
- penelope circle leaf
- Penelope Mini
- Phantom Red
- Phantom Super Mini
- Phoenix
- Pina
- Pink Lady, Daerah Sanggau
- Pixy
- P
- Poring B, Daerah Malawi
- Poring C, Daerah Malawi
- Poseidon
- Purple Blue
- Purple diamond
- Purple leaf
- Purple Rain
- Purple Shoot, Sanggau
- pygmaea
- Pygmaea "Japan"
- Pygmaea "Rajang"
- Rainbow blue
- Rainbow centipede
- Rainbow frost
- Rainbow marble
- Red Aphrodisiac
- Cerberus Network
- Red chili
- Cloud Network
- Red Gaia, Melawi, West Kalimantan
- Redd Green Velvet, Daerah Melawi, West Kalimantan
- Red leaf
- Maharani Network
- Red Rose
- Scorpio Network
- Red Shoot, Daerah Sanggau, West Kalimantan
- Red Stem
- Network Under
- Red Vein
- Riam macam
- Rosetta
- Round leaf
- Royal pink lady
- Royale
- S11 Melawi, West Kalimantan
- Sang Master
- sanggau
- sanggau 2
- sanggau 3
- sanggau 4
- sanggau 5
- Sanggau lancip
- Sanggau Sunshine
- Sanggau Undulata
- Sayan
- Sayan 1
- sedong
- sekadau
- 1
- 2
- 3
- Sekadau Blue
- Sekadau Gray
- Sekadau Long Wavy
- Sekadau Narrow
- Sekadau Narrow Leaf
- Sekadau Pink
- Sekadau Round
- semadang
- Miss
- Seri Haman
- Would
- setapang
- Sexy Pink, Daerah Sanggau
- Sherry "Circuli Purpurascentibus"
- ShineBlue
- Shine Blue 2 "Gigantic Shine Blue"
- Shine Green "Sokan 4"
- Silky Blue 1, Daerah Malawi
- Silky Blue 2, Daerah Malawi
- Silky Blue 3, Daerah Malawi
- Silver Gray
- Silver Mini
- Silver powder
- Silver Powder, West Kalimantan
- Silver stain
- Syntang 2006
- Syntang Short
- Sintang, West Kalimantan
- Dark Skull
- Sokan Blue Purple
- Solid Blue
- Spathulifolia Dark Mini
- Stripes, Tapah
- Suang black
- Suang blue
- Suang green
- Suang Melawi
- Suang Red
- Suang silver
- Sunshine
- Super Black
- Super blue
- Super Blue 2, Central Kalimantan
- Super blue type 2
- Super Blue, Central Kalimantan
- Super Blue, Melawi
- Super mini
- Super Mini Catherineae, Central Borneo
- Super Mini Coin
- Super Red
- Swamp, Sekadau
- Sweet maharani
- Sylvia
- T-Rex
- T4
- Tapah
- Tebakan
- Theia 1
- Theia 2
- Theia 25
- Theia 3
- Theia 4
- Theia 5
- Theia 6
- Theia 7
- Theia 9
- Theia Black
- Theia Brown
- Theia Coin
- Theia Compact
- TheiaPurple
- Theia Red
- Theia Sekayam
- Titan II, Daerah Malawi
- Titan III, Daerah Malawi
- Titan IV, Daerah Malawi
- Titan, Daerah Malawi
- Treasure 2011, West Kalimantan
- Tricolor
- tricolor 2
- Ulysses, Central Kalimantan
- Upper ghost
- Upple leaf
- urban
- Vampire
- Velvet
- Velvet Black Leaf
- Velvet Leaf 2
- Velvet Leaf 3
- Velvet Leaf 4
- Velvet Leaf Entikong
- Velvet Leaf, North of Sanggau, West Kalimantan
- Velvet Tricolor
- Velvet blue
- Venus
- Vermouth
- Very Long Stem, Daerah Malawi
- Purple
- Vulcan
- Wavy Leaf, Melawi
- Xerxes
Because many species names are currently unknown to science, trade names are created based on the names of the regions, rivers, or states in which they were discovered (for example: Kedagang, Sintang, Lamandau, Sabah , Sanggau, Kalimantan) Names are also created according to the coloring and shape of the leaves (eg Bucephalandra Brownie Purple, Bucephalandra Velvet Leaf, Bucephalandra Purple Blue or Bucephalandra Super Blue). An interesting example of the names of these plants is Bucephalandra Brownie Ghost, which appeared only once in a given area and then disappeared from the site.
Others examples of Bucephalandra they could be: Bucephalandra Bilbis, Bucephalandra Theia Red, Bucephalandra Mini Coin, Bucephalandra Deep Purple, Bucephalandra Green Velvet, Crisped Leaves, Bucephalandra Red Mini o Bucephalandra Lamandau Purple.
In Aquarium hobby, the Bucephalandras appeared in 2005-2006 and quickly became popular. This type of plant is rare and difficult to obtain., but over time they become more accessible.
APPEARANCE AND COLOR
What makes Bucephalandra so interesting is the shape of its attractive leaves. There are many varieties of leaf shapes. The leaves can be oval-shaped, flat-edged, oval with a wavy edge, long and straight, long and wavy, or even almond or raindrop-shaped.
The colors of the stems are mainly pink or red, but the leaves can be of different colors. Depending on the species, some sheets can even have multiple colors at once. Most usually have a bluish color, in some varieties we can also see other colors similar to a bright green color, or copper color and reddish tones. There are few varieties that are completely green in their submerged state, the most attractive are the dark navy or purple leaf varieties.
Bucephalandras are usually a small plant. Many of them only grow about 3-5 cm. But there are also many that have a larger size (8-15 cm) even some have been found approximately 25 cm high.
A distinctive and recognizable feature of all Bucephalandra species are the bright spots on the leaves, mistakenly recognized by many aquarists as air bubbles that result from the photosynthesis process. These spots are found in most varieties of araceae plants. Depending on the variety, the arrangement of points can be more or less intense. Similar characteristics can also be seen in the Anubias, but they are not as noticeable. In the Emerged Bucephalandras, the spots are less visible, their intensity of these points is much higher when the plant is under water.
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