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Ceratopteris thalictroides - Water Sprite

Reviews	Views	Date of last review
2	1790	Sun January 7, 2007

Recommended By	Average Price	Average Rating
100% of reviewers	$5.25	10.0

supersize	supersize	supersize

Description:

Common Name: Water Sprite

Scientific Name: Ceratopteris thalictroides

Light: Moderate to Very High

Co2: Not essential to growth

Level of Difficulty: Very Easy

Also commonly referred to as “Indian Fern” or “Water Fern”, C. thalictroides is found in tropical areas across the globe. This plant is a vibrant green in color with a leaf structure that is dependent upon conditions. Generally, the leaves (which can bear much resemblance to fronds) are finely branched.

This interesting plant can be grown in the substrate or can be allowed to float. If floating, the leaves become are much shorter and slightly less branched. The plant will develop a fairly extensive root system, as far as floating plants are concerned, and provide excellent refuge for fry or light-shy fish. Surface feeders and anabantoids will also enjoy the presence of this species, if floating.

Floating specimens readily send out numerous adventitious plantlets from the outer edges of the leaves which will eventually grow and separate into new plants. They can remain floating or be planted. Commonly, even a broken leaf will regenerate if left floating.

Although its “ideal” conditions are slightly acidic, soft water, C. thalictroides tolerates a wide variety of conditions. Its growth can be intense and as such, it is an excellent candidate in a newly planted tank as it competes for nutrients. It is readily available and inexpensive, which also makes it a good choice for the beginner. Although Co2 is not necessary to growth, the addition of carbon dioxide will boost growth considerably. This plant is not overly demanding in terms of water quality and fertilization.

Can be grown emersed. If allowed to reach the surface, this plant will form more brittle emersed growth.

Photos courtesy of Balloon Fish and Tyridian.

Author

Balloon Fish
Super Fish

Registered: July 2004
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 3025

Review Date: Tue May 24, 2005

Would you recommend the profile? Yes | Price you paid?: $4.50 | Rating: 10

Pros:	really green plant and absorbs nutrients
Cons:	weak stems

This is a really good plant for begginers and they absorb a lot of the nutrients out of the water. Also this plant produce lots of little plantlets on top of its leaves with roots already connected and you can just rip them off and replant them or let them float. If you let them float i find that the leaves grow faster and thicker but i haven\'t raised any to be really big when left floating, usually the ones i have in the substrate grow taller and bigger. I recomend this plant to anyone but the only bad thing about it is the stem is extremely weak and if you grab the plant in the wrong position the whole leave can break off.

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Smalltank3
Large Fish

Registered: December 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 958

Review Date: Sun January 7, 2007

Would you recommend the profile? Yes | Price you paid?: $5.99 | Rating: 10

Pros:	Really green, fast grower
Cons:	weak stems

This plant is really green. I grows really fast and is a great background plant for beginners or experts. It makes your tank look really good. Like Balloon Fish said, they have weak stems and if grab in the wrong spot they break off.

Smalltank

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