Staurogyne bihar

Staurogyne bihar — A Rare and Refined Carpeting Plant for the Planted Aquarium

Staurogyne bihar is a rare and highly sought-after species from the genus Staurogyne, closely related to the popular Staurogyne repens but offering a distinctly different growth character — more upright, with slightly larger, textured leaves in rich, deep green. Collected from Bihar, India, this species is prized among planted aquarium enthusiasts for its refined appearance, manageable growth habit, and suitability for both foreground and lower midground placement in medium to high-tech aquascapes.

Upright Elegance, Rare Provenance

Where Staurogyne repens hugs the substrate in a low, creeping mat, Staurogyne bihar grows with a more upright, structured habit — producing compact stems with slightly larger, crinkled leaves that add fine texture and visual interest to the aquascape. Its rich green colouration holds well across a range of conditions, and under strong light and CO₂ it develops a particularly lush, dense, and well-branched form. A rarer find than repens and a rewarding addition to any serious planted aquarium collection.

Care Profile

• Scientific Name: Staurogyne bihar
• Origin: Bihar, India — shallow, clear streams and rivers
• Type: Stem (compact, upright)
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
• Height: 5–15 cm
• Placement: Foreground to lower midground; effective as a compact accent plant or low border species
• Light: Medium to high — performs best under good light; tolerates medium light but growth will be slower
• CO₂: Recommended — CO₂ injection improves growth rate, branching density, and leaf colour
• Fertilisation: Regular macro and micronutrient dosing recommended; root tabs beneficial in nutrient-rich substrate setups
• Water Temperature: 22–28°C
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Propagation: Stem cuttings — trim tops and replant side shoots to encourage bushing and increase density

Aquascape Compatibility

Staurogyne bihar is an excellent choice for Nature Aquarium-style layouts where a compact, textured green foreground or lower midground accent is desired. It pairs beautifully with carpeting plants such as Hemianthus callitrichoides, Eleocharis, and Glossostigma, and complements fine-leaved mosses and small epiphytes on hardscape. Its rarity and refined appearance make it a prized specimen in any high-quality planted aquarium collection.

Rare, refined, and quietly captivating — Staurogyne bihar is the specialist’s foreground plant that rewards the discerning aquascaper with texture, depth, and genuine botanical rarity.