Since there are numerous aquatic plants available in our surroundings, choosing a single aquatic plant can be as hard as choosing which fish you want for your tank.
As an aquarium plant Temple Compacta looks more traditional. It is a fast-growing, tall, brightly colored plant that suits well in the background of a fish tank.
It is also a hardy species, Even new aquarists will be able to take care of it without any issue.
Here in this article, we will cover everything you need to know about Temple Compacta plant care, including their propagation, perfect environment, and a lot more…
20 Pack (Green) Artificial Aquarium Plants for Fish Tank Decorations
About this item
- Set of 20 pieces artificial aquarium green plants, and different styles, great for fish tank and aquarium decorations, will make them more beautiful
- Best for both freshwater or saltwater environments
- These plastic aquarium plants are made of soft and reliable material. It won’t contaminate tank water. The color won’t fade
- Soft leaves allow the fish to hide and shuttle in the water plants. It won’t hurt your fish or other tank mates
- Each artificial aquarium plant has a heavy-duty and thick ceramic base. It can prevent plants from floating in the water
- Assorted sizes of fish tank decor plant, from 2″ to 12″ in height. Great for fish aquariums of 10, 20, 30, 50 gallons, or even large
| Category | Rating |
| Level of Care: | Easy |
| Lighting: | Medium |
| Color Type: | Green |
| Origin: | Southeast Asia |
| Height: | Up to 24 inches |
| Family: | Acanthaceae |
| Minimum Size of Tank: | 10 gallons |
| Tank Set-Up: | Freshwater Aquarium |
| Rate of Growth: | Fast |
Overview
Temple Compacta (also called Starhorn, Temple Plant or Giant Hygro) belongs to the freshwater aquatic plant from the Southeast Asia region. This plant is native to countries such as Thailand and Malaysia.
The scientific name of Temple Compacta is Hygrophila corymbosa and it belongs to the Acanthaceae (acanthus) family. This family consists of more than 3,000 different species which are spread in different regions of all around the world in all kinds of habitats.
Temple Compacta is a sturdy species that can grow in a wide range of habitats and it can tolerate various environmental conditions.
It is mostly appreciated by beginners. Temple Compacta plant makes the ideal starter plant. It can survive through the little mistakes you might make.
This plant falls amongst the fast-growing plant. That’s why you might have to trim your plant down to size more often, taking up a lot of your time.
It costs about $5-$10, you can find this species in your nearby stores. If you are not willing to spend so much money, purchase a small amount and after that propagate it. This will need a lot of patience though.
Buy the healthiest specimens as possible. Avoid plants with damage or faded colors to their stems/leaves, as being introduced to a new environment they may not survive for a long time.
Temple Compacta species is an ideal option for a paludarium or aquarium. It has a vibrant color and it gives various services for your aquarium, such as oxygenating the water or providing shelter for your fish.
Temple Compacta Appearance
This species doesn’t show off with so many fancy designs or colors, it grows tall in a simple way to display its form and strength. This is an elegant species.
The leaf of the temple compacta plant is broad. The wide leaves intensify their bright greens. The stems of the plant are much darker and thick in color, often it seems bronze.
If this plant isn’t getting everything it requires for photosynthesis, then colors will start to fade.
Temple Compacta plants can reach a maximum height of 24 inches if freely allowed to grow. More space can be taken up by this tall plant when you account for its leaves. However, you can trim this plant down to your desired size.
As a background plant, it is best suited where it can stretch up your aquarium water without blocking the view. There are a lot of different species you can use in the midground or foreground.
This plant generates side shoots during propagation that can make it look bushier.
In the wild environment, The Temple Compacta plant generates purple flowers when it grows above the water.
Tank Conditions and Habitat
Naturally, you would find Temple Compacta in Southeast Asian regions like Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. Now it is grown in different areas, like the USA, and in the aquarium trade, it is sold across the world.
It survives in various habitats, however, they tend to grow in the shallows of streams and rivers where there is a slight water current.
The water would be slightly acidic and warm. They should have so much access to sunlight from above.
This plant can grow both under and above the surface of the water which makes it a very versatile option for your paludarium.
To keep the plant as healthy as possible, replicate their natural environment at your home. Their preferred conditions are outlined below.
Tank Conditions
Your Temple Compacta should be anchored in a soft and sandy substrate. The fine grains damage the roots in small amounts as compared to gravel.
Your aquarium’s water conditions are the only factor that these plants are mostly concerned about. Therefore designing the rest of your tank comes down to meeting the requirements of tank mates or, to personal preference.
Use a heater to maintain your aquarium’s temperature between 72°F and 84°F. The pH will require controlling to 6.0 to 7.5 too.
To support photosynthesis medium lighting is preferred. General tank lighting is suitable, but you have to ensure there are no floating plants in your tank casting a shadow over the Temple Compacta.
You may use a supplementary fertilizer but it is not compulsory, it is optional. It can surely help to speed up growth. CO2, potassium, and providing iron, will help if your Temple Compacta plants begin to wilt.
What Size Aquarium does it require?
Although the temple compacta plant grows quite large, you can keep it in small-sized aquariums if you trim it down to the desired size.
The smaller the aquarium, the more frequently you need to do this, particularly since it is a fast-growing plant species.
A smaller tank like 10 to 20 gallons could be unmanageable.
Care
It’s easy to Caring for Temple Compacta. This plant is a hardy species and it doesn’t have any difficult preferences which you require to meet. It means this species is tolerant to a wide range of conditions and it’s easy to create a preferable environment.
Maintaining its environment by regularly keeping your aquarium clean. Do regular partial tank water changes and wipe away the unwanted algae as it may cause issues for your aquatic plants.
To correctly check the parameters of the water, use a water testing kit every week. Changes in water conditions can start a wilting process, routine water testing means you can respond before any wilting process happens.
Be aware of ‘melting’, it is a big issue. A sudden change in conditions may cause your plant to become frail and it may begin shedding the plant’s leaves. When you add the plant for the first time to your setup this is the most common issue.
Always remove the dead plant matter. To a new condition, new growth will be better adapted.
You have to trim the Temple Compacta plant whenever it becomes too big for your aquarium. or remove side shoots (you can replant these removed side shoots for propagation) or Cut the tops of the plant’s stems.
While disposing of cuttings be careful, accidentally you don’t want to place the species in your local ecosystem. Bissolve, bury, or compost the plant cuttings in bleach.
Nutrient supplements aren’t required in a healthy environment. CO2 injections and Fertilizers can be used to speed up its growth or develop the health of your plant, perhaps for propagation.
Tank Mates
Temple Compacta plants perform so well in a community tank. With an array of various tank mates, it can be paired easily. However, research any plant which you want to add carefully, with a view to ensure that there won’t be compatibility issues.
Fish are the most obvious tank mate options. The majority of fish species are good, however, there are so many types to steer clear of.
My recommendation is not to add notorious plant-eaters in your tank. Temple Compacta plant’s broad leaves can be very appealing as a snack and it could take harm.
A few species are just too boisterous/aggressive. For instance, Oscars are infamous for uprooting equipment and aquarium plants in their surroundings.
Tiny invertebrates, such as Mystery Snails or Ghost Shrimp can be good tank mates too. Freshwater crabs and Crayfish are highly destructive towards live plants in aquariums though.
Temple Compacta plants are popular options for paludariums. You can plant it alongside different plant species too.
Propagation
Propagation is the way in which plants reproduce in order to develop and multiply new stems. This can be done asexually and sexually.
In a maximum period of time, only the asexual method occurs in a fish tank. This is performed through the growth of side shoots.
The side shoots of the plant develop into new stems with leaves and roots, eventually, it is detached to form a new plant.
This isn’t the smooth and fastest method, however by cutting off the plant’s side shoots slightly you can speed the process up and replant them. You have to wait until they have developed leaves for the purpose of photosynthesis.
You can also have the option to replant cuttings you have got from the top of the plant. The cuttings are required to have leaves attached and will be a few inches long.
Temple Compacta propagating is a great way to get so many plants without paying a lot of money, only you have to wait for them to grow up.
Luckily, this species is a fast-growing one, however, CO2 injections and nutrient supplements can speed up development rates even more.
Is Temple Compacta Plant Suitable for Your Aquarium?
Temple Compacta is a highly hard species that anybody will be able to take care of without any problem. Also, the main selling point of this species is its ease of care.
This plant can be kept in a lot of different types of setups because of its broad tolerance to environmental conditions.
It’s convenient to propagate and fits well into a community tank. Don’t forget that it’s an attractive plant with bright and broad green leaves.
Temple Compacta plant is a great option for anyone who prefers to add plant life to a fish tank (or paludarium) without having to worry a lot about it.
Do you have a Temple Compacta in your aquarium? Why do you like it? Let us know in the comments section below…
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