Riccia fluitans 'Sunset' Care Guide
Riccia fluitans 'Sunset' is a yellowish-green liverwort variant tied to stones for the classic pearling-lawn aquascaping look.
Overview
Riccia fluitans, the floating crystalwort, is a liverwort of the family Ricciaceae rather than a true rooted plant. The 'Sunset' variant has yellowish-green thalli that take on golden tones under bright light. Tied down to stones it is used to create the classic pearling-lawn aquascape.
Taxonomy
- Family: Ricciaceae
- Genus: Riccia
- Scientific name: Riccia fluitans 'Sunset'
- Common name: floating crystalwort
Habitat
Riccia fluitans naturally floats at the water surface but can also attach to submerged logs and rocks. It grows rapidly and forms dense, bright-green mats when placed a few centimetres below light or in ponds with full sunlight, and is used in livebearer tanks as a retreat for fry.
Aquarium requirements
- Temperature: 18-28 °C (64-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 2-14 °dGH
- Lighting: high
- CO2: recommended (drives pearling and submersed growth)
- Placement: carpet (tied to hardscape)
- Maximum height: about 5 cm
Submersed, the plant needs strong light and benefits from CO2, which encourages dense growth and heavy pearling. Without anchoring it tends to float; it is therefore tied or netted onto stones. It is not compatible with duckweed, which can crowd it out at the surface, and is easily overtaken by hair algae.
Care and growth
Growth rate is fast. Because Riccia has no roots, it relies on dissolved nutrients in the water column. Mats need regular trimming and re-tying, as they thicken and can detach and float to the surface.
Propagation
Riccia fluitans propagates by division. Any single branch or bud can grow into a large colony under suitable conditions; portions of a mat are simply split and re-attached.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, based on a European regional assessment.