AquariumSetup

floating plant · easy to medium

Red root floater: height, light, CO₂ & fish that eat it

Phyllanthus fluitans typically grows 0.4–2 in tall (1–5 cm) and floats at the surface. It's rated for low–high light, and injected CO₂ is not needed. Temperature 64–86°F, pH 5–8.

Try it in the tank builderSee which fish eat it

How tall it grows

It floats, so height doesn't limit which tank it suits.

Will it fit your tank?

Fits any tank. It floats at the surface. Thin it out so plants below still get light.
Check it with your fish →

Quick facts

Grows to
0.4–2 in (1–5 cm)
Height basis
Tropica 2-month avg 3-5+; Aquasabi care height 1-3
Where it goes
floating
Light
low–high light
Injected CO₂
not needed
Growth
medium–fast
Difficulty
easy to medium
Temperature
64–86°F
pH
5–8
Hardness
0–30 dGH
Feeds through
not published
Also sold as
—

Planting tip: Float it on the surface; stronger light and lower nitrate turn the leaves redder.

Fish and Red root floater

Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: plant-eating and digging named in each fish's sources, plus temperature and pH overlap.

Eats it (9)

May uproot it (0)

  • Not rooted, so digging fish can't pull it up.

Different water (0)

  • Every fish shares some temperature and pH range with it.
Fish that leave it alone and share its water (97)
Pearl GouramiAngelfishGerman Blue RamBolivian RamKribensisElectric Yellow LabBronze CoryPanda CoryPygmy CoryJulii CoryBristlenose PlecoOtocinclusKuhli LoachHillstream LoachSiamese Algae EaterCherry ShrimpAmano ShrimpNerite SnailMystery SnailGlowlight TetraLemon TetraCongo TetraBlack Neon TetraChili RasboraBoesemani RainbowfishDwarf Neon RainbowfishAfrican Dwarf FrogPea PufferGhost ShrimpIridescent SharkBala SharkRed-Tail SharkRainbow SharkOscarChinese Algae EaterNeon TetraCardinal TetraBlack Skirt TetraSerpae TetraRummy-nose TetraEmber TetraHarlequin RasboraZebra DanioCelestial Pearl DanioWhite Cloud Mountain MinnowCherry BarbTiger BarbGuppyEndler's LivebearerMollyPlatySwordtailBettaDwarf GouramiHoney GouramiHead-and-tail-light TetraBleeding Heart TetraDiamond TetraSilver Tip TetraPristella TetraPenguin TetraSilver HatchetfishMarbled HatchetfishLambchop RasboraPearl DanioGiant DanioScissortail RasboraGold BarbRosy BarbOdessa BarbDenison BarbVariatus PlatyThree-spot GouramiMoonlight GouramiSparkling GouramiParadise FishCockatoo Dwarf CichlidFiremouth CichlidElectric Blue AcaraDiscusBlood Parrot CichlidPeppered CorySterbai CoryClown PlecoPictus CatfishGlass CatfishUpside-down CatfishWeather LoachForktail Blue-eyeClown KillifishBumblebee GobyCrystal Red ShrimpBamboo ShrimpRamshorn SnailMalaysian Trumpet SnailAssassin SnailJapanese Trapdoor Snail

Common questions

How tall does Red root floater grow?

Growers report about 0.4–2 in (1–5 cm). Basis: Tropica 2-month avg 3-5+; Aquasabi care height 1-3.

How much light does Red root floater need?

It's rated for low–high light. Growers often disagree on light, so this is the full range across our sources.

Does Red root floater need CO₂?

No. Its sources rate its CO₂ need as low, and it grows without injection.

Which fish eat Red root floater?

In our database, Convict Cichlid, Common Pleco, Common / Comet Goldfish, Clown Loach, Tinfoil Barb, Buenos Aires Tetra, Kissing Gourami, Yoyo Loach, Fancy Goldfish are flagged as eating live plants. Tough-leaved anubias usually hold up better.

Gear for Red root floater

PlantLive Red root floater. Compare sellers and pot sizes.Find on Amazon →LightA basic aquarium LED is enough for low light.Find on Amazon →FertilizerA liquid fertilizer for plants that feed from the water.Find on Amazon →

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Related guides

Beginner aquarium plantsPlanted tank lightsLiquid ferts vs root tabsTrimming & propagation

Sources

Values come from these pages, in our own words. Where growers disagree, we show the full range. Last reviewed 2026-10-17.