Riccia Fluitans, also known as crystalwort or floating crystalwort, is a type of aquarium plant that is easy to care for and suitable for aquarists of all levels. It can add an attractive and unique touch to any aquarium and is highly versatile, making it a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts.
Despite looking like moss, Riccia Fluitans is actually a plant (liverwort) that can be molded into various shapes, used as a carpet or floater, or made into walls, making it’s use quite diverse. Let’s dive into the care requirements for this remarkable plant species.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Light | Medium to high |
| Temperature Tolerance (°C / °F) | 15 to 30°C (59 to 86°F) |
| Optimum Temperature (°C / °F) | 20 to 27°C (68 to 81°F) |
| Carbonate Hardness (°dKH) | 0 to 21 |
| pH Value | 5 to 7.5 |
| Carbon Dioxide (mg/l) | 10 to 40 |
| Nitrate (mg/l) | 10 to 50 |
| Phosphate (mg/l) | 0.1 to 3 |
| Potassium (mg/l) | 5 to 30 |
| Iron (mg/l) | 0.01 to 0.5 |
| Growth | Fast |
| Propagation | Fragmentation, Splitting, Cutting off daughter plants |
| Can Grow Emersed? | Yes |
| Suited for Outdoor Cultivation / Ponds | Yes |
| Aquarium Suitability | Yes |
| Usage | Plant for spawning, Nano tanks, Carpet |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Introducing Riccia Fluitans
Famed aquascaper Takashi Amano popularized the use of Riccia Fluitans in aquariums in the early 1990s. He was the first to use it fully submerged in water and used it as a carpet in one of his tanks. However, its versatility means that it can be used in any way you can imagine. Some aquarists even trim the leaves of the Riccia Fluitans to sculpt it into impressive designs.
If taken care of properly, oxygen bubbles will form at the tips of its leaves, creating a stunning phenomenon known as pearling. Its vivid green color makes it perfect for decoration in any tank.
Origins of Riccia Fluitans
Riccia Fluitans was first cataloged by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Variants of Riccia Fluitans can be found in Thailand, Europe, and Singapore, but only the Japanese variant can survive fully underwater. It was popularized by Japanese aquascaper Takashi Amano, who was the first to submerge it entirely.
Caring for Riccia Fluitans
Riccia Fluitans is easy to grow and doesn’t require much care or preparation to grow in any freshwater tank environment. If taken care of properly, it can even produce more oxygen for your tank! It grows best in tanks with low water flow, which is the habitat it’s typically found in. A swift-moving current can break its fragile stems, causing it to float around the tank.
Riccia fluitans is very easy to cultivate and it can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, such as water hardness levels from very soft to very hard. If it’s kept submersed and tied to rocks or wood, it will need more light and CO2, as well as a high supply of nutrients like nitrate, phosphate, iron, and potassium.
This plant forms dense cushions on the water surface and provides a great spawning location for labyrinth fish, as well as protection for juvenile fish. If grown on a moist substrate, the thalli will be wider and shorter. Spore formation only occurs in terrestrial plants.
Lighting Requirements
The lighting requirements for Riccia Fluitans depend on where it’s grown in the tank. If grown at the bottom of the tank, it will require more light than if it’s grown on the surface. Low-level lighting is sufficient for plants grown on the surface, while high-level lighting, preferably from an LED light, is recommended for healthy growth.
Temperature for Riccia Fluitans
Riccia Fluitans can survive in a wide range of temperatures, from 15 to 30°C (59 to 86°F). It thrives best at temperatures of 20 to 27°C (68 to 81°F).
pH Requirements for Riccia Fluitans
Riccia Fluitans requires a pH values between 5 and 8, making it suitable for tanks with various species of fish. Crystalwort does not require very specific water conditions. It does not need a substrate to survive and can easily thrive with just clean and rich flowing water.
Growth and Height of Riccia Fluitans
Crystalwort is a fast grower and can easily grow into thick clumps of green threads that form a ball-like shape. To keep it from floating away, many hobbyists will tie it down using a fishing line, hair netting, or thin thread. The threads will eventually grow over the line, hiding it from sight.
If the pH level, temperature, and lighting requirements are met, it will grow quickly and beautifully, reaching 3 to 5 centimeters every two months. Its rapid growth could overtake your tank, so regular trimming is recommended to keep it under control. The detached leaves can clog the aquarium filter, but the pieces that have broken off or been trimmed can be used to grow more Riccia Fluitans.
Appearance
This plant can either float on the water surface or grow rooted in moist substrate. It has thin branches that are slightly wider at the top, but narrower in floating plants compared to terrestrial ones. The branches can be up to 2mm wide and 10-40mm long and are regularly branched dichotomously several times. The forked angle is between 45-80° and the plant is light to medium green in color.
Floating plants don’t have many rhizoids, while terrestrial forms have a slight groove on the upper side and ventral scales on the thallus and rhizoids on the underside.
Types of Riccia Fluitans
There are two forms of Riccia fluitans, the normal form and the dwarf form. The dwarf form has shorter and narrower thalli than the normal form, but has the same forked angle. There’s also a sinking form called “Japan,” but the thalli will strive to reach the water surface after a few weeks. Riccia rhenana, also known as R. fluitans, has wider thalli and obtuse fork angles (> 90°).
Create a Riccia Carpet
When kept as a floater, Riccia fluitans can quickly grow into an unsightly cluster, but it’s easy to trim. You can also fix it to objects like wood or rocks using a hairnet, and weigh down the net with small rocks to create a carpet in the foreground of your aquarium. Overgrown parts can be removed with a pair of scissors to prevent the lower parts of the plant from dying due to lack of light.
Nature Aquarium with Riccia
Takashi Amano showed us the great potential of submersed cultivation of Riccia fluitans when it comes to setting up a nature aquarium. He was the first to create carpets of Riccia in the foreground and midground of an aquarium, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Vivarium Placement
Crystalwort is an aquatic plant and should be placed in an enclosure with sufficient amounts of water. It can be free-floating or attached to surfaces like rocks, logs, or driftwood to create interesting aquascaping looks. It can even be attached to mesh to create a carpet or wall look.
This plant is versatile and will do well in a variety of vivarium types, including paludariums, ripariums, and aquariums.
Watering and Maintenance
As a fully underwater or partially submerged plant, Crystalwort doesn’t need much watering. However, it does benefit from a high nutrient supply of nitrate, phosphate, iron, and potassium. Adding liquid fertilizer and CO2 will help the plant grow even faster, especially if it is kept at the bottom of the tank.
Keep an eye out for algae growth, as the dense Crystalwort can accumulate debris and promote algae. A slow but steady water current can help prevent this. Regular water changes and trimming will also keep the plant healthy and growing.
Similar Plants
If you’re looking to add some variety to your aquarium, try mixing in some different plants that thrive in the same conditions as Crystalwort. Some similar options include Flame Moss, Christmas Moss, and Weeping Moss.
Where to Buy Crystalwort
When shopping for Crystalwort, look for plants that are algae and snail-free and sold in small tissue cultures. With a little patience, you can easily propagate the plant and only need to purchase it once.
Conclusion
Crystalwort is a beautiful and low-maintenance plant that is perfect for any aquarium with aquatic features. Its fast growth rate and versatility make it a great option for aqua-scaping and decorating. Just be mindful of the types of fish you add to the tank, as the leaves of the plant can be fragile and easily damaged.
Taxonomy
| Taxonomy | Description |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Marchantiophyta |
| Class | Marchantiopsida |
| Order | Marchantiales |
| Family | Ricciaceae |
| Genus | Riccia L. |
| Species | Riccia fluitans L. |
Tim Priest, a renowned aquarium expert with over 15 years of experience in aquatic gardening and fish education, is dedicated to helping enthusiasts create stunning and thriving aquatic environments. As the founder of LearnTheAquarium.com, Tim shares his wealth of knowledge, passion, and expertise through engaging articles, educational resources, and personalized advice.
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