Floating Crystalwort (Riccia fluitans) – Lush, floating aquarium moss for fry cover & aquascaping; oxygenates and beautifies tanks.
Bring life, texture, and function to your aquarium with Floating Crystalwort (Riccia fluitans), a delicate yet vibrant moss-like plant that floats gracefully on the water surface or can be anchored to create rich green carpets. Loved by aquascapers and fish breeders alike, this fast-growing, floating plant adds a natural, wild aesthetic to freshwater tanks while serving a practical role: it oxygenates water, shelters fry, and enhances water quality.
Originally found in slow-moving freshwater streams across Europe and Asia, Riccia fluitans is prized for its bright green, feathery mats that shimmer under the light. Its unique floating habit allows it to drift freely, creating dynamic movement and visual interest as it sways with currents or bubbles. When anchored with fine mesh or tied to driftwood, it forms a dense, velvety carpet that doubles as a functional décor and natural habitat.
✨ Appearance & Growth Habit
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Small, densely branched fronds form lush, emerald mats.
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Grows both as a floating plant and as an attached carpet on rocks, driftwood, or substrate.
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Rapid growth allows it to quickly cover open water, creating shade for sensitive species and reducing algae growth.
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Soft texture provides an ideal refuge for fry and shrimp, giving them confidence and hiding spots in planted aquariums.
💧 Optimal Growing Conditions
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Lighting: Moderate to high. Bright light promotes dense growth and a vivid green color.
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CO₂: Not strictly required, but supplemental CO₂ accelerates growth and enhances lushness.
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Water Parameters:
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Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
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pH: 6.0–7.5
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Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water
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Flow: Gentle currents are ideal to allow floating mats to drift without damage.
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Propagation: Simply divide floating mats or trim anchored sections to expand coverage.
🌱 Benefits & Uses
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Natural Fry Shelter: Fry and small shrimp find cover among the soft fronds, reducing predation risk.
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Oxygenation & Filtration: Contributes to healthy oxygen levels and helps control nitrates and other nutrients.
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Aquascaping Appeal: Creates floating greenery that adds depth, texture, and movement.
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Versatile Placement: Use it in nano tanks, shrimp tanks, or large freshwater aquascapes.
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Algae Control: Provides shade that inhibits algae growth by limiting direct light on the substrate.
🌿 Maintenance Tips
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Floating mats may need occasional thinning to prevent overcrowding.
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When anchored, gently tie Riccia to mesh, stones, or driftwood to create carpets or vertical accents.
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Trim regularly to maintain shape and encourage dense growth.
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Fertilize with liquid plant nutrients to keep it vibrant, especially in low-nutrient tanks.
🪴 Design Inspiration
Use Floating Crystalwort in combination with stem plants like Rotala or Ludwigia for dramatic color contrast. Let it drift naturally above hardscapes for a dynamic top layer, or secure it to create floating islands that enhance verticality in the tank. Its feathery texture complements mosses like Java Moss or Christmas Moss for multi-dimensional aquascapes.
🌸 In the Box:
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Healthy portion of Floating Crystalwort (Riccia fluitans), ready for immediate introduction to your aquarium.
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Safe for shrimp, fry, and all freshwater fish species.
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Carefully cultivated, free from pesticides and harmful chemicals.
✨ Why Choose Floating Crystalwort?
Floating Crystalwort is more than decoration; it’s function and beauty in perfect harmony. It provides shelter, enhances water quality, and transforms a standard aquarium into a lush, living scene. Whether you are raising fry, creating a striking aquascape, or simply seeking a low-maintenance floating plant, Riccia fluitans rewards you with rapid growth, deep green mats, and a natural touch that elevates any tank.
Bring elegance, function, and vitality to your aquarium with Floating Crystalwort (Riccia fluitans)—a versatile floating moss that floats, carpets, and thrives wherever you place it. 🌿💧