Are Your Crypts Melting: Possible Causes and Preventive Measures

Cryptocoryne is one of the most popular aquarium plants that comes in different varieties such as lucens, spiralis, walkeri, and more. The plant is not only beautiful but also adapts to the new environment easily. At the same time, it is low maintenance, making it suitable for beginners as well. However, one frustration that comes with Cryptocoryne is ‘crypt melting’.

Crypt melting is a condition wherein a healthy Cryptocoryne plant turns soft, start losing its leaves and seems like it is dissolving in water. It feels like the plant is going to die within a day or two. However, on the contrary, it is not as complex a problem as it seems to be in the first place.

If your aquarium also has crypts or you are thinking to add one of them, this article will help you understand this plant well. Here, you will learn about the melting of crypts, the causes behind it, mechanisms and how to prevent and manage the condition effectively.

What are Crypts?

Crypts is a short name for a plant species belonging to Cryptocoryne. They are native to Southeast Asia, where they can be found growing along the riverbanks and other small water bodies. It grows easily where the conditions, such as water level, light, and nutrients, are favourable.

The leaves of different species of Cryptocoryne have different shapes and sizes. The color also varies from green to bronze and some with reddish tones. It is one of the reasons why aquarists prefer Crypts for aquascaping, and they often grow in a freshwater tank.

Another good thing about Crypts is they can grow in both emersed and submersed conditions, that is, above and below water. However, when the water conditions change, the leaves of the plant become soggy and start shedding.

What is Melting of Crypts?

Melting of crypts or ‘Crypt Melt’ is a condition in which the leaves of the Cryptocoryne plant start deteriorating rapidly. A plant which is all hale and hearty with green and flashy leaves suddenly start losing them. Initially, the leaves turn soft and translucent and eventually disintegrate into water. It gives an appearance of plant melting; thus, the name, ‘crypt melt’.

This situation may seem alarming to the aquarists as it happens quite suddenly. The leaves are severely damaged within a few days, and it looks like the plant will also die.

But the good news is, melting is crypts is a condition that affects only the leaves, and the rest of the plant remain unaffected. While the leaves, which are above the substrate, dissolve and die, the rhizome and roots, which are below, remain alive, healthy, and capable enough to produce new growth.

Therefore, crypt melt is only a transition phase in which the plant is trying to adapt to the new water conditions.

Why do Crypts Melt?

Plants start to show some physical changes when the environmental conditions around them change. Depending upon the intensity of change in conditions around them, the plants show certain signs, and the melting of leaves is one of them.

Whenever the Cryptocoryne plant is moved to a new aquarium, the sudden change in surroundings puts it under stress. In order to cope with this, the existing leaves struggle the most. It is when the plant reset itself by shedding the older leaves, giving space for the new ones that better suit the new environment.

While crypt melting may put aquarists under stress, it is the plant’s survival strategy. Crypts adjust to their new environment easily, but they take time, during which the leaves get soft and eventually die and shed off. It helps the entire plan to withstand the new water conditions, restart, and reestablish in the new aquarium.

Below are some major causes that lead to crypt melt-

A- Change in water parameters suddenly

As the water chemistry changes, crypts try to adapt to the change and adjust in the new water conditions. This change could be water hardness, pH, temperature, or any other factor that plays a role in aquarium plants’ development.

At the same time, crypts are sensitive to changes in water parameters. When you move the plant from one tank to another or even when you perform a large water change in the same tank, the new conditions may arise. Even if the conditions align with the plant’s requirements, the sudden fluctuation will put it under stress.

Additionally, crypts are one of those aquarium plants that prefer stability over perfection. So, even if the parameters are slightly up or down, crypts will stay happy rather than staying in fluctuating conditions.

B- Moving from emersed to submersed condition

Often, the aquarium store owners grow plants in an emersed condition, which is above water. It allows them to grow plants faster and in an economical manner. The leaves developing in an emersed condition are different than those growing under water.

Now, as you transfer the plant from emersed to submersed condition, the leaves try to adapt to this new condition, resulting in their shedding. In this way, the plant directs its energy in developing new leaves that readily adapts to the new environment instead of wasting it in stabilizing the older leaves.

Therefore, melting of crypts is considered a very normal and natural process of adapting to new water conditions.

C- Changes in lighting

Crypts prefer low to moderate light conditions. Therefore, when it comes to lighting, they are not very demanding or particular. However, if there is a sudden increase in light intensity, it becomes overwhelming for the plant. As a result, the crypt starts to melt. In addition, the high-light conditions also put the plant under stress and cause leaf decay.

So, when it comes to providing light to a crypt, put consistency over intensity. A regular light intensity is far better than sudden brightness or dullness of light in the aquarium.

D- Imbalance in nutrients

Crypts, the rhizomatous plants, are considered heavy root feeders. Most of the nutrient uptake of crypts occur from the substrate and not the water column. Therefore, enriching the substrate with enough nutrients is a necessity, or else the leaves will struggle to stay on the stem.

Besides, if there is a sudden change in the nutrient availability, the plant will suffer. Too little and too much of fertilization will disrupt the plant’s balance, making it stressful. Here, it is important to mention that Crypts require iron and potassium, and their deficiency will make the plant weak and susceptible to melting.

Other Reasons

Now that you have understood some common reasons behind the melting of crypts, it is equally important to mention that any disturbance in the substrate also leads to the same result. Once established in the tank, crypts do not like to be disturbed. The root system is sensitive, and the plant may come under stress when often disturbed.

At the same time, fluctuations in any water parameter, be it the pH, hardness, or temperature, can also result in a stressed plant and thereby the shedding of leaves. Therefore, maintaining a consistent temperature is a must.

You also need to maintain water quality in terms of dissolved gases like carbon dioxide, ammonia, and nitrites. The more is the level of these gases and organic waste, the higher will be the chances of melting of crypts. Always remove the decayed or dead leaves from the previous melt episode, as they add to the organic load of the tank. The key to a healthy tank for aquarium plants is regular maintenance and proper filtration.

Signs that a crypt is melting

If you notice slight discoloration of the leaves, especially around the edges, or if the leaves seem to change texture, turning from flashy to soggy, it indicates the start of crypt melting. Over time, the leaves will turn fragile, translucent, and eventually lose their entire texture and structure, and break apart.

In some cases, the leaves just detach from the stem and start floating in the water. Remove these leaves from the tank as they add to the waste.

So, if you are able to notice something unusual in your crypts, take action immediately to improve the water condition.

Is the melting of crypts a worrying condition?

No, if you have recently added a crypt in the tank and melting is happening as a part of the adaptation process, there is nothing to worry about. In such cases, the plant usually survives and bounces back to a healthy one with new leaves.

However, if the crypt is melting due to sudden changes in water parameters, you may need to worry a little and detect the issue. If the parameter is left unattended, it may gradually harm other plants and fish in the tank.

How to prevent crypts melting?

If the crypts are melting as a part of their adaptation process, there is nothing to worry about. In such cases, the plant gets better with every passing day. However, if the crypts are melting due to fluctuations in water parameters, you can do the following-

• Check the parameters such as pH, temperature, hardness, etc.
• Maintain stable conditions
• Do not make frequent adjustments, but focus on having a consistent environment
• Acclimatize new plants
• Enrich the substrate with enough nutrients
• Perform regular water changes and cleaning

Your goal should be creating an environment where crypts don’t feel like resetting again and again.

Recovering from crypt melt

If the crypt seems melting, cut or trim the decaying leaves and remove them out of the tank. In this way, you are reducing the organic load on the aquarium. Next, look for the water conditions and rule out the imbalances.

Make sure that in the entire process, you are not disturbing the root system or rhizome. Even if all the leaves are dead and the plant is bare, life is still there beneath the substrate.

Lastly, keep patience and over a week or two, you may start witnessing new growth and a recovered, hale and hearty crypt in your aquarium.

Mistakes to avoid

One thing that you need to avoid is overreacting to the situation and trying to change all the water parameters all at once. This chaotic and sudden change may put your crypt even more under stress.

Secondly, you must avoid moving or replanting crypt frequently. This plant takes time to establish at a point, and when frequently shifted, it gets stressed. Disrupting the root system and rhizome will prevent crypt from settling.

Finally, you need to maintain stable water parameters, including a stable dose of fertilizers and carbon dioxide. Always remember that consistency is the key to a healthy crypt.

Tips for raising a successful crypt

Once you have understood and observed the nature of crypts, it becomes easy to understand how to grow them successfully in the long term. Below are some points to remember for a healthy crypt-

• Maintain stable water conditions
• Perform gradual changes
• Adjust parameters slowly
• Give the plant time to respond
• Pick the right variety of crypt
• Hardy species ensure more success

Should I add Crypt despite them being problematic?

First of all, crypts are not problematic plants: it is we who make conditions difficult for them. In fact, they are one of the most rewarding aquarium plants because once they adjust to the environment, they become incredibly hardy, require minimal maintenance, and flourish abundantly.

In addition, crypts are slow-growing plants, and with their steady growth, they add aesthetic value to your tank, creating a stunning aquascape. Gradually, a single crypt turns into clusters and increases the overall look of the aquarium.

Most of the time, if the crypt is melting in the initial stage, consider it as a simple hurdle before a long-term success.

Final Words

Cryptocoryne is one of the most popular aquarium plants, and for all the good reasons. The only thing that bothers aquarists is crypt melting. Even though it may seem disheartening, the melting of leaves is just an adaptation process or a temporary response to a change in the environment.

Once you have found out whether crypt melting is due to fluctuations in water parameters or only as a part of settling down in a new tank, you can take the necessary steps to overcome it.

With crypts (and all other aquarium plants), all you need is patience and a detailed knowledge about their behaviour, and once attained, you can enjoy the rewarding beauty of the plant.