Description
Riccia fluitans, commonly known as Floating Crystalwort or Slender Riccia, is a widely distributed and popular aquatic liverwort in the aquarium hobby. It features bright green, branching thalli that can form dense mats. Found naturally across multiple continents, this plant is known for its ability to grow floating on the surface or attached to various substrates in freshwater environments like ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers.
Care
Maintain gentle water flow, as strong currents can break the fragile thalli. Provide nutrient-rich water column fertilization, as this plant absorbs nutrients through its body. Regular maintenance, including water changes, helps keep the plant healthy.
Propagation
Propagation is primarily achieved through fragmentation. Simply separate mature portions or small pieces of the plant, and these fragments will develop into new colonies. Although it can also reproduce through spores, fragmentation is the most common and practical method for aquarists.
Trimming
Due to its rapid growth rate, regular pruning is often necessary. Trimming helps manage the plant’s size and shape, prevents it from overgrowing the water surface or attached areas, and keeps it from potentially clogging aquarium filters.
Notes, Tips, and Considerations
- While generally compatible with most aquatic life, large or aggressive fish, certain snails, or crabs may damage the fragile plant.
- When attaching Riccia to hardscape for carpeting or accents, it may require tying down initially with fishing line or mesh until new growth anchors it.
- This plant absorbs nutrients directly from the water column, benefiting from liquid fertilizers.
Origin
- Regions
- Africa
- North America
- Habitat: pond, lake, river, wetland
- Water Type: freshwater
- Water Depth: 0 – 0.5 m
- Water Flow: still, slow
- Light: medium, high
- Temperature: 15 – 30 °C
- Humidity: high
- Substrate: soil, mud, bare, rock, floating
