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I've now bought what I was told was Rotala mini type 1 twice, only to have type 2 show up.

I thought this a might be helpful for folks to understand the size difference between them. Type 1 is maybe 1/8" all the way across. Type 2 is almost as big as Ammania Bonsai, maybe 3/8" across.

Type 1 leaves curl under from end to end, but do not curl up side to side. In a dosed tank, Type 2 leaves curl up side to side.

Here is a picture of the two right next to each other. Type 1 in the center, Type 2 on either side of it. Those are the leaves of Java Fern Trident behind it, and an undescribed dwarf lillaeopsis in front of it the size of (chubby leaved) hairgrass for reference to sizes.

 

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And by the way, if you have type 1 for sale or trade, and know it is actually the type one shown above, please do pm me.

bigstick120 was selling it for a while, not sure who else. bigstick is out of it though, already checked.

 

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Nope - I'll show you what type 2 morphs into in my tanks in another pic. Type 2 has a stem that is literally as thick as the entire plant of type1. These are two distinct plants.

Well..sorta.

What I call Type 1 is the first one I saw, and bought as type 1. It is also called Rotala 'Pearl'.

I'm now learning there is another definition of the types as well, I've seen pics from mrkookm that shows yet another type! Those two, I'm almost thinking are indeed morphs - they are the same size, shape, just different leaf turns.

Here is what type 2 turns into in a (well, mine anyhow) mineralized soil and non-dosed tank:

Round leaves, color on both sides, color is reddish veins instead of the purple from a dosed tank. Neat, huh?