background plant · advanced

Rotala wallichii: height, light, CO₂ & fish that eat it

Rotala wallichii typically grows 3.9–12 in tall (10–30 cm) and grows in the background of a tank. It's rated for medium–high light, and injected CO₂ is needed. Temperature 59–86°F, pH 5–7.

Try it in the tank builder See which fish eat it

How tall it grows

Each bar is roughly the water depth a tank leaves above the substrate. The teal band is the plant's reported height range. ✓ fits, trim means it can reach the surface, ✕ means it typically outgrows the water.

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Quick facts

Grows to: 3.9–12 in (10–30 cm)
Height basis: Tropica 2-month avg (10-30+); Aquasabi care height 15-60
Where it goes: midground, background
Light: medium–high light
Injected CO₂: needed
Growth: medium–fast
Difficulty: advanced
Temperature: 59–86°F
pH: 5–7
Hardness: 0–30 dGH
Feeds through: not published
Also sold as: —

Planting tip: Plant several stems together in a group and replant trimmed tops.

Fish and Rotala wallichii

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 (6)

Different water (3)

Fish that leave it alone and share its water (92)

Pearl Gourami Angelfish German Blue Ram Bolivian Ram Kribensis Bronze Cory Panda Cory Pygmy Cory Julii Cory Bristlenose Pleco Otocinclus Kuhli Loach Hillstream Loach Siamese Algae Eater Cherry Shrimp Amano Shrimp Mystery Snail Glowlight Tetra Lemon Tetra Congo Tetra Black Neon Tetra Chili Rasbora Boesemani Rainbowfish Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish African Dwarf Frog Pea Puffer Ghost Shrimp Iridescent Shark Bala Shark Red-Tail Shark Rainbow Shark Chinese Algae Eater Neon Tetra Cardinal Tetra Black Skirt Tetra Serpae Tetra Rummy-nose Tetra Ember Tetra Harlequin Rasbora Zebra Danio Celestial Pearl Danio White Cloud Mountain Minnow Cherry Barb Tiger Barb Guppy Endler's Livebearer Molly Platy Swordtail Betta Dwarf Gourami Honey Gourami Head-and-tail-light Tetra Bleeding Heart Tetra Diamond Tetra Silver Tip Tetra Pristella Tetra Penguin Tetra Silver Hatchetfish Marbled Hatchetfish Lambchop Rasbora Pearl Danio Giant Danio Scissortail Rasbora Gold Barb Rosy Barb Odessa Barb Denison Barb Variatus Platy Three-spot Gourami Moonlight Gourami Sparkling Gourami Paradise Fish Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid Firemouth Cichlid Discus Blood Parrot Cichlid Peppered Cory Sterbai Cory Clown Pleco Pictus Catfish Glass Catfish Upside-down Catfish Weather Loach Forktail Blue-eye Clown Killifish Bumblebee Goby Crystal Red Shrimp Bamboo Shrimp Ramshorn Snail Malaysian Trumpet Snail Japanese Trapdoor Snail

Common questions

How tall does Rotala wallichii grow?

Growers report about 3.9–12 in (10–30 cm). Basis: Tropica 2-month avg (10-30+); Aquasabi care height 15-60.

How much light does Rotala wallichii need?

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

Does Rotala wallichii need CO₂?

Yes. Its sources say it needs injected CO₂.

Which fish eat Rotala wallichii?

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 Rotala wallichii

PlantLive Rotala wallichii. Compare sellers and pot sizes.Find on Amazon →LightA planted-tank LED. Rotala wallichii needs at least medium light.Find on Amazon →CO₂Pressurized CO₂. Its sources say it needs injection.Find on Amazon →FertilizerA liquid fertilizer for plants that feed from the water.Find on Amazon →

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Sources

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

tropica.com /en/plants/plantdetails/18748/18748
aquasabi.com /Rotala-wallichii
flowgrow.de /db/aquaticplants/rotala-wallichii