There is this gorgeous plant a my lfs... The name they have it listed as is Dragon's tongue.... I have looked at some sites and can not find it listed but I've also not gone thru and looked at every single plant they have listed ... have just used the search on the site... it's probably a common name I am using and not hte scientific name. Description of the plant.... It's hash tall skinny type leaves and it a beautiful shade of deep red... almost with a purple tint.... absolutely gorgeous.... I would love to get some fo my tank but am afraid I do not have correct lighting and that it will get munched heavily once I get some goldies in the tank... anyone know anything about this plant....

Thanks!
Betty

Usually red plants are more demanding and need higher light and added CO2. There aren't any I can think of that don't need more than 2.5 watts per gallon... The only way I can get red in my tanks (not really high tech) is to go with reddish crypts and sunset hygro (which is pretty pink).

The name you mentioned sounds familiar though, trying to see if I can find it...



Trying to link to a picture.. if a picture of a red plant doesn't show above, go to:
http://www.aquabotanic.com/abstore/index.html
and scroll down to the "Red Temple" and tell me if that's what you saw. That plant is moderate (2.5) to bright (3.5+) light, its all I can think of at the moment that fits your description.

Otherwise, check out the forums at www.aquabotanic.com and ask if they know what the plant is.

Otherwise, I found this store online that claims to carry it, but they don't give a scientific name. You could email them and see if they know what it is.

http://animalcityinc.com/fish/Plants.htm

EDIT: Ha! Got it! Okay, from what I found out, its not considered aquatic, in other words, it will live for a while then die off, its not really supposed to be underwater. Here's the scientific name: Hemigraphis repanda (dragon's tongue)

I did a google search on "aquatic plants, dragon tongue" and every hit that was actually for the aquatic plant was an article about how this plant should not be used in aquariums because it is not truely aquatic. Bummer!

Ok the picture you listed above looks similar to it.... but what I am seeing in the tank at the lfs is a deeper red almost purple color... I will probably wait til later to get it... after I upgrade lighting.... That one site doesn't have any pictures... what a shame... I am looking into getting an anubias nana and maybe a Java fern... I have a small bit of Java moss at present...Thanks for your help!

Hummmm will stay away from it then.... Thanks sooo much.... I ouwld suppose that is why doen't sell real well...lol.... people must get it and it dies so they don't get anymore...

If you're looking for plants that add some reddish colors to the tank, some that do well in my moderately lighted tanks (~2.5 wpg) are: red ozelot sword, red rubin sword, red melon sword, rotata indica, and reddish tinted cryptocorynes.

Thank you very much Valkyrie.... I don't really have enough lighting yet for the red tinted plants... I have 20 watts on a 20gal... so low lighting.... I will upgrade later when finances allow...lol.... I was basically curious about that particualr plant.... I think it's very attractive... but of course not for aquatics.... maybe I'll get some for just around the house....

Well, you could get some for around the house, and take trimmings off it for in your tank. Then when they start to object to being submerged, replant them in soil again. Its an idea

I have found very little information on Dragon's Tongue except that according to these two websites which state that it is unsuitable for acquariums:

http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/plants...ble_Plants.html
http://www.pets-warehouse.com/plant-comps.htm

I might do something like that,... I wonder how well they stand up out of the water.... something I might look into... I may not even put them in the tank... will look around... and see if I can find a version out of the water first....

Thanks!!
Betty