Plant leaves curling?

[Oli]

Noticed recently some of my Hygrophila polysperma (I think!) leaves curling? Have had the plants established for over a year now, cutting and replanting without issue when growing too tall. Planted in gravel with root tabs and never had an issue?

Any insight as to why this could suddenly start to happen?

 

[connorlindeman]

Do you inject co2? What are your current fertilizers and dosing schedule?
I think you will notice this curling is at the top of the aquarium closest to light.
More light, faster growth, higher demands for co2 and ferts.

 

[MattW]

My guess would be a deficiency of some kind but I'm not 100% sure what.

I have seen a few posts on Reddit claiming curling leaves to be a symptom of plant stress but no idea if that is true or not.

 

[noahm]

My guess would be a deficiency of some kind but I'm not 100% sure what.

I have seen a few posts on Reddit claiming curling leaves to be a symptom of plant stress but no idea if that is true or not.

This ^^, likely a deficiency. I am not as familiar with aquatics, but potassium in non-aquatics causes leaf curling and eventual browning (unlikely in the water). The issue might not be a deficiency in and of itself, but a deficiency given the light. intensity. In other words, the higher light is causing growth rates that need just a tad more potassium. Lots of ferts tend to lean N and are less focused on K.

I wouldn't go crazy and overdo K, but maybe look for a balance that is a little more leaning that way. That or cut the light back a smidge. Overall, they don't look in a bad way, just not perfect.

 

[Oli]

Do you inject co2? What are your current fertilizers and dosing schedule?
I think you will notice this curling is at the top of the aquarium closest to light.
More light, faster growth, higher demands for co2 and ferts.

I don’t inject co2 and the only fertilisers I use are roots tabs in gravel. The tank is a discus tank, so sits around 30c but I have never had a problem. In fact my plants have been stunning from day 1 which was certainly a suprise to me given the temperature and low tech set up but this randomly occurred about a week ago. Lighting is in for 8 hours a day, but it does get full natural lighting all day…

 

[Archerfish]

Carefully examine what has changed in your tank or its surroundings. Has your light significantly increased? A 'gut reaction' leads me to think it is too much light. Have the water parameters changed? I recommend before making any changes (such as adding more ferts etc) that you take a few moments to carefully investigate what has changed. Look over a time period of weeks not days. Plants are sometimes slow to display their displeasure with subtle changes.