Nitella

Nitella (common name: brittlewort)

Overview: It resembles like any other aquatic plant, but are actually a form of algae that is bright green in colour. They grow in shallow and deep waters of natural habitats and prefer soft water bodies, acid lakes and bogs. They also grow in deep waters and form a dense carpet-like growth at the bottom.

Hard /Soft plant: Soft Plant

Appearance: Although they appear to have leaves and stem, in reality they don’t have true leaves, stems or roots. About 6-8 even branches spaced at regular intervals grow in whorls along the smooth stem and resemble leaves. Nitella does not bear flowers but has microscopic spore bearing organs.

Ideal water temperature conditions: It thrives under temperatures between 20 and 30 degree Celsius.

Lighting conditions: Like any other algae, Nitella thrives in high lighting levels. They grow fast in ponds exposed to direct sunlight or in aquariums with sufficient lighting for longer duration.

Ideal pH condition: In saltwater aquariums, Nitella prefers low acidic pH. While in ponds and fish tanks, they thrive under high alkaline pH conditions.

Functions and uses:
1) Submerged parts of these plants provide habitat for micro and macro invertebrates.
2) Stabilizes the sediments at the bottom thereby preventing muddy water.
3) The invertebrates seeking refuge in the submerged portions of Nitella are eaten by fishes and other aquatic animals like amphibians, reptiles, etc.
4) Branches of Nitella provide nutrition to waterfowls.

Did you know?
Reproduction is aided by vegetative propagation as well as spores transported by animals. Often confused with Chara, the only distinguishing character is that Nitella does not emit any odor when crushed and is soft to touch unlike Chara.

FAQ

What is Nitella and how is it different from regular aquarium plants in India?

Nitella is a freshwater charophyte algae that resembles a delicate, branching aquatic plant and is used in Indian planted tanks as a natural oxygenator and soft-water indicator species. Indian aquarium hobbyists source it from Bunnycart across India for shrimp tanks and soft water biotope setups, where its fine, whorled green branches provide both oxygenation and excellent foraging habitat for dwarf shrimp colonies.

Where can I find Nitella aquarium plant for sale online in India for my shrimp tank?

Bunnycart is one of the few online aquarium stores in India that regularly stocks Nitella, shipping it across the country with a live arrival guarantee and free delivery on plant orders above Rs 499. Indian shrimp tank enthusiasts who source Nitella from Bunnycart use it as a soft, foraging-friendly moss alternative that creates excellent grazing and hiding habitat for Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp colonies.

Is Nitella better than Java Moss for a shrimp tank in India?

Nitella is softer and more delicate than Java Moss, making it gentler for very small shrimp juveniles in Indian tanks, though Java Moss is hardier and tolerates a wider range of conditions. Indian shrimp keepers who buy Nitella from Bunnycart across India often use both together, with Nitella providing fine, soft foraging areas and Java Moss offering a more robust structural element in the shrimp tank layout.

How do I keep Nitella from floating around in my Indian aquarium?

Nitella can be gently bundled and placed in a ceramic ring or weighted loosely with a plant anchor to keep it positioned where you want it in an Indian aquarium without damaging its delicate structure. Many Indian hobbyists who buy Nitella from Bunnycart across India prefer to let it drift freely in a shrimp tank corner, where its natural floating habit creates an organic, effortless look that complements minimalist aquascape styles.