Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 5589356

Goldfish Plant

Nematanthus gregarius

Also known as Clog Plant

Clinging to mossy tree trunks and rock outcrops in Brazil's coastal Atlantic Forest, this trailing perennial produces glossy, succulent foliage tailored for retaining water in high-canopy perches. Swollen orange corollas resemble tiny swimming fish, featuring constricted lips specifically shaped to dust visiting hummingbirds with pollen. Although prized globally as a robust houseplant, wild populations remain deeply tied to the humidity and indirect light of native cloud and lowland rainforests.

EpiphyticFloweringTropical
Goldfish Plant reference1 / 4
Licensed reference(c) Reinaldo de Oliveira Elias, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Mealybugs
  • Spider mites
  • Scale insects
ThreatsHabitat loss from deforestation and agricultural expansion
HabitatsTropical rainforests and humid coastal montane forests
Life span10–20 years
Classification
  1. OrderLamiales
  2. FamilyGesneriaceae
  3. GenusNematanthus
  4. SpeciesNematanthus gregarius
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance and non-toxic to household pets.
Responsible observation
  • Indoor Lighting: Position in bright, filtered light to stimulate abundant flowering without scorching the waxy leaves.
  • Watering Practice: Allow the top centimeter of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot in potted specimens.
Related species
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