Utricularia gibba & longifolia Care in Aquariums

Alonso keeps U. gibba in a 3L aquarium and U. longifolia in similar conditions. He asks about water/soil changes, peat vs. straw, propagation, and pollination techniques.

U. gibba—Aquarium Setup

• Add an undergravel filter to oxygenate water and stabilize biology.
• Do partial water changes monthly (like a fish tank).
• Acidify water: boil a large handful of peat moss, cool, and add to the container. Peat or straw both work—goal is tannins and low pH.
• Use opaque containers (≥20 gal ideal) to limit algae; small tanks are problematic.
• Propagate by breaking off sections once the plant reaches ~1 foot (30 cm) total length.

U. longifolia—Light

Adaptable; does best in partial shade. In humid climates, full sun may work—test and observe.

Pollination

Utricularia and Pinguicula flowers are tiny and complex; hand-pollination is beyond the scope of a Q&A format.