H. decipiens features small, oval shaped leaves, with a white vein down the middle with 6-8 cross veins per blade. Individual plants grow to just 1″ wide by about 3″ tall. It grows attached to a single rhizome in 4-6″ of sediment. It is abundant in calm protected water, where it often forms dense meadows in substrate rich in organic matter. It is typically found at shallow depths, but has been reported in water 280 feet deep in some locations. This species has recently become popular for use in the aquarium and is becoming more available due to the propagation efforts of aquarists within in the United States. H. decipiens is only native to a select area in the state of Florida, mostly the Indian River Lagoon. It is highly protected, so collected plants must be found free floating as drift specimens. Like other varieties of Halophila, it is relatively undemanding in the aquarium, but needs moderate lighting and an organic substrate to grow. Because it can grow very deep, it can often do well in refugiums with high levels of organic nutrients and low light. Not palatable to fish.
Scientific Name: Halophila decipiens
Common Name: Oar Grass
Origin: Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Caribbean, S.Pacific
Depth Collected: 10-100 Feet
Maximum Height : 4″
Growth Rate: Slow
Light: Moderate
Temperature: 72-86
Propagation: Rhizomes, Seeds
Difficulty: Moderate
Food Value: Not Palatable
Nutrient Uptake: Good once established
Flow Rate: Moderate to High