The black mangrove features wide spreading, below ground roots with hundreds of slender, brown, pencil shaped breathing tubes that emerge vertically from the substrate to about a foot high . These are known as pneumatophores and they collect oxygen for the submerged roots. Black mangroves typically grow higher above the low-tide mark than both red and white mangroves so that their breathing tubes are never completely submersed in water. Mature trees can reach heights of up to 70 feet tall. Because of their submersed root system they are not good candidates for use in the marine aquarium. As with the white mangrove, they can be grown in specific aquarium biotopes if elevated in substrate above the water line.
Scientific Name: Aviennia germinns
Common Name: Black Mangrove
Origin: Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Caribbean
Depth Collected: low tide zone
Maximum Height : 70′
Growth Rate: Slow
Light: High
Temperature: 65-100
Propagation: Rhizomes, Seeds
Difficulty: Moderate
Food Value: None
Nutrient Uptake: Fair once established
Flow Rate: Low