Melastoma Roots

Melastoma Roots come from Melastoma malabathricum, the Straits rhododendron, a shrub native from tropical Asia to northern Australia. It grows along riverbanks and forest edges and in wet, open ground. Ours are imported from Sumatra and Java, Indonesia, within its native range. The roots branch finely, with thin stems, and look like a smaller, more delicate spiderwood, sized for nano tanks and tight layouts. Each set has 4 pieces that you can combine into one root mass. They float at first and need boiling and soaking to sink. Once waterlogged, they last for months, darkening as biofilm and algae colonize the surface. Tannin output is low. Their value is structure: a fine root tangle that gives small fish shelter and territory.

Habitat Snapshot

Tannin Character: Low · Water Tone: Minimal · Habitat Origin: Imported from Sumatra & Java, Indonesia (native range: tropical Asia to N. Australia) · Breakdown: 3–12 months · Best For: Root tangle · Wild bettas · Nano fish · Preparation: Rinse + Boil + Soak · Use with Caution: Floats until fully waterlogged, so weight with a rock; thin roots are brittle when dry, so handle gently · Quantity: 4 pcs

Key Benefits

• Fine branching roots form a natural tangle at nano scale
• Lasts for months as stable hardscape
• Darkens and grows biofilm over time
• Native to Sumatra and Java, where ours are sourced

How to Use

Rinse thoroughly. Boil for 20–30 minutes, then soak until fully waterlogged, which can take 24 hours. Roots may float again at first, so weight them with a rock until they stay down. Arrange several pieces into a layered root mass, using 1–2 groupings per 10 gal (38 L). A soft white film may appear in the first weeks; it's normal biofilm and fades. Pairing: Drape Kelakai fronds through the roots for a swamp-edge tangle.

Best For

Wild bettas, rasboras, sparkling gouramis, Parosphromenus (licorice gouramis), and other nano fish in Southeast Asian biotopes where a fine root tangle defines the scape.

Not for human consumption. Preparation required. Because this is a natural product, size, shape, color, and texture will vary from piece to piece.

Let the botanical become part of the system. The value is in the slow breakdown, biofilm, tannin character, habitat texture, and natural behavior it encourages. This is where sunken forests come to life.