Riccia fluitans is a floating aquatic plant found almost in any part of the world. There is quite a few geographic varieties which differs both in the way they look and in the way they grown in the aquarium. Here below are the various varieties of Riccia fluitans plant included pictures that can be clicked for a larger version.

Japanese Riccia Fluitans

Pictures below is the Japanese variety of Riccia, which is the most useful in the aquarium - either used in the traditional way as a floating plant or in the very beautiful submerged form. Left - the floating form. Right - the submerged form.

European Riccia Fluitans

The European form is not very useful in the aquascaping aquarium - this is particularly true for the submerged form. Left - the floating form. Right - the submerged form.

Thailand Riccia Fluitans

Photos of Riccia fluitans below are the Riccia variety from Thailand. In line with the European variety, the submerged form is unsuitable for the aquascape aquarium. Left - the floating form. Right - the submerged form.

Singapore Riccia Fluitans

Finally we have the variety of Riccia fluitans from Singapore. The submerged form of this variety is also unsuitable for the aquarium. Left - the floating form. Right - the submerged form.



The Japanese variety with relatively long thalli is the most suitable for aquascape aquarium use. The other Asian and European forms are much more fragile. They break easily when they are attached to a piece of rock and they cannot create a thick and beautiful turf before they loosen and drift to the surface.

However, Takashi Amano from Japan invented the technique of securing the aquatic liverwort Riccia fluitans to a piece of lava rock or slate and thereby keeping it submerged. Click this link to find How to Secure Dwarf Riccia with ADA Riccia Stones completely.

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Commonly known as Crystalwort, Riccia fluitans is a lush floating plant. Riccia is really a great plant to use in the planted aquarium, and due to its versatility, it is often used for intricate aquascaping in show aquariums. This does not mean that it is for experts only; even novice aquarists can normally keep Riccia fluitans without any trouble. The important thing to note for a beginners freshwater aquarium, Riccia fluitans should not be kept with vigorous plant eaters, because this plant does not cope well with such attacks.

Descriptions

Riccia fluitans forms thick clusters of bright green threads. If you refrain from pruning, Riccia fluitans will grow into a sphere shaped clump with slightly flattened “poles”, quite similar to planet Earth. Small clumps of Riccia fluitans normally float at or just below the surface. As the plant grows bigger and heavier, it will gradually sink down into the water.

Riccia fluitans does not develop any real root system, but it can anchor itself to solid objects such as rocks and branches. Use a piece of string or a rubber band to attach your Riccia fluitans to begin with and remove the string/rubber band when the plant has anchored itself. In some cases, there will be no need to remove the thread because it will be completely covered in lush green.

Riccia Fluitans in the Aquarium

As mentioned earlier, Riccia fluitans sp."Dwarf" is a truly versatile aquatic plant that can be utilized in a wide range of ways on the aquarium. Even though it is a floating plant, it can be grown completely submerged. A single piece of rock with Riccia will look decorative in any aquarium but you can also use more rocks placing them with a few centimetres apart, in groups and formations, and maybe at different levels in the aquarium.

Riccia Fluitans Care

Riccia is not a particular demanding plant although it prefers relatively soft water to thrive perfectly. Riccia can grown extremely fast providing you offer it sufficient light and CO2 and under such circumstances it is also necessary to supply micro- and macronutrients.

Caring for Riccia fluitans is not an arduous task, unless you wish to spend a lot of time pruning into specific shapes. Riccia fluitans is found in a rich assortment of various habitats in many different parts of the wild, and can tolerate a water temperature from 15 to 30 degrees C. This means that you can keep it with a wide range of different best freshwater fish for aquarium. The water can be medium soft to really hard and the pH-value can vary from 6.0 to 8.0.

In Fry Rearing Aquariums

Ricca fluitans provides great shelter for fry, and small fry can also feed on micro organisms that live on this plant. You can either let your Ricca fluitans float at the surface, or anchor it down and create a “lawn” in which eggs and fry can stay hidden. By including plenty of Ricca fluitans, you can actually achieve a rather high survival rate even when fry is left in the same aquarium as adult fish. If you do not wish to set up a separate fry rearing aquarium, adding plenty of Riccia fluitans is a great alternative for many species.

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Aquarium decorations are not only gorgeous to look and feel at they also have an significant purpose. They present fishes with households - hiding places and all natural borders resembling their all natural habitat. There are countless diverse kinds of decorations, for instance Cave dwelling fishes take pleasure in aquarium decorations that construction like caves, holes and crevices. While Fishes that reside in dense vegetation like plants and other sorts of small hiding sites. Decorations are necessary for a delighted and healthy and balanced aquarium they also continue to keep fishes from gaining bored.

Tanks: There are many variants of tanks massive, small-scale, quadrilateral or polygonal. The dimension of an aquarium should really be in accordance to the dimension and the range of fishs you strategy to continue to keep. Also tanks arrive in a wide range of tinted eyeglasses.

Crops: With good maintenance and regular pruning they are the the most wonderful and inexpensive supply of decoration for your aquariums. Fishes really like the aquatic vegetation as they are component of their natural habitats. They arrive in all types, costing anyplace from a very few bucks to hundreds. Aquatic plants are especially practical as clearly they bind carbon dioxide and oxygenate the water. They also use natural and organic waste products and solutions as nutrition and eradicate likely unhealthy compounds from the water. Plants can also be chosen to preserve a test on the water quality of an aquarium the plant will initiate dieing in advance of the fish if the water abruptly gets to be poisonous


Wooden, Rock and Coral: An aquarium can be like a miniature true habitat for the fishes with these decorations. Drift wooden and mangroves can make a attractive influence in the aquarium, as well as some fishes in particular thrive on Drift wood. But be mindful as Drift wood may reduced pH ranges and the hardness of the water. So it is greatest employed in aquariums with gentle slightly acid water. Stones and rocks make fantastic decorations. But all over again caution is needed you really should by no means use rocks that influence your water's pH amounts or stones that may perhaps consist of toxic compounds. There are also fake rocks that resemble true rocks, but these are fairly high-priced. Rocks can be implemented to produce caves which lots of fishes are passionate about. Coral are a attractive addition to marine aquariums in reality they could possibly prove crucial for a healthy and balanced marine habitat. But can be dangerous to contemporary freshwater aquarium and need to not be put into use as they be unhealthy.

Gravel or sand: The two are good each arrive in a selection of colour. Gravel comes in white, brown and black, or blue, red, green, yellow the full rainbow spectrum. Sand all over again also has a plethora of shades white, black, blue, yellow, red, green. Both of these can be layered in multiple hues.

Glass marbles, Ceramics, Plastic: Ok all are unnatural components and may well search marginally tacky, but fishes will not give a fig for this, they enjoy them enormously. Glass marbles even though are not a great bottom substrate out of a biologically as flora does not thrive on them, can include fabulous shades to the aquarium. It's most effective to use them sparingly or create an alternative a lot more practical substrate down below. Ceramics are wonderful aquarium decorations. All dimensions and shapes can be used as prolonged as they do not have sharp edges. On the other hand ceramics tend to grow algae that could be tough to. Plastic they are low-priced, colourful and yes tacky, but can be uncovered in a variety of fun designs. Treasure chests, skulls, divers, pirates, crops and ships you title it and suppliers have them.

It is essential that you only use aquarium decorations that are harmless to use in aquariums. If you have salt water aquariums they really should be saltwater-reliable also. If you do not take this precaution your tropical fish will die due to the organisms and toxic compounds launched by the decorations.

Aquarium decorations have both useful and aesthetical use if carried out tastefully and cautiously you can make a miniature aquatic ecosystem that both you and your fish can appreciate.

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JBL AQUABASIS

This German-made fertilizer is very suitable for use as a basic aquarium fertilizer in construction of aquascape planting media, because it contains nutrients that have been formulated according to aquatic plants needs.








Wondergro Pro Macro Plus

Wondergro Macro Pro Plus is liquid fertilizers formulated specifically for the aquascape and contains nutrients which needed for plant growth. By granting this fertilizer regularly and periodically can make aquarium plants grow fresh and healthy.

This fertilizer is suitable given to aquarium plants that do not have a root system on the substrate, because it dissolves easily and is absorbed by the leaves. The aquarium fertilizer is also safe for the life of tropical fish and various invertebrates in your planted tank throughout the usage follows rules of specified doses.






Wondergro Micro Pro Plus

Liquid fertilizers that are specially formulated to aquascape with superior formulas that contain all the essential micro nutrients and enriched with iron complexes are stabilized. By granting this fertilizer regularly and periodically can make your aquatic plants grow fresh and healthy.

As well as the Pro Macro version, the aquascape plants fertilizer below also suitable given to aquarium plants that do not have a root system on the substrate, because it dissolves easily and is absorbed by the leaves. The aquarium fertilizer safe for freshwater aquarium fish in your aquascape aquarium including invertebrates throughout the usage follows rule of specified doses.





Wondergro Pro Root Plus

This is a basic fertilizer in the form of tablets which are formulated specifically for aquatic plants with root system on the substrate and contains all the nutrients that plants need both micro and macro.

This basic aquarium fertilizer type for aquascape plants is more practical use. By granting this fertilizer regularly and periodically can make plants grow fresh and healthy. Fertilizer is also safe for the life of ornamental fish and various invertebrates along the user follow the rules of specified doses.

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On earth, if you want to create a scene or a pretty sight, is not landscaping. But if you want to create such scenes in water, then I would be aquascaping. Aquascaping is an art. It is a process that requires one to have the overflow of creative juices. It is a masterpiece.

This is a technique of decorating aquatic plants, rocks, stones, etc. to a very nice aquarium. It's just like gardening or landscaping, the only difference is the place where such creative juices are meant.

Aquascaping is primarily done to a beautiful aquarium. But do not forget that you are placing the animals in the aquarium. So, in coming up with designs, you have to figure out a way to connect beauty with functionality.

Aquascape designs come in different styles, such as the following:

° Dutch style schedule includes a variety of plants that come in a variety of leaf colors, sizes and textures. This style has a central focal point which is surrounded by several rows of plants or leaves. These lines are palced geometrically so that makes the street as an agreement between the plants - it makes it a Dutch-style aquascape. Also, the shortest species are on the forefront, increasing gradually until they are located towards the back.

° Nature Style is the idea that Takashi Amano is acknowledged to have "set a new standard in aquarium management." The nature of the style is intended to imitate the natural landscape with several species of plants and carefully selected stones. Thus, a miniature landscape is creative but colorful garden.

° Jungle Style is a combination of Dutch and natural style. From these two designs, Jungle style uses plants, rocks and driftwood / However, rocks and driftwood to driftwood is not widely used as Amano Nature Style. But one interesting thing is, aquatic plants can grow in the wild and the aquarist and the aquarium hobby can be left untrimmed until he / she has reached his / her desired output.

° Biotopes mock-up of plants, fish within a specific geographic locations. Thus, it aims to provide the exact natural habitat of fish species living in such a place. Biotopes are useful because they are similar types of built-in aquarium. This similarity allows the aquarist can easily balance the different aspects of life in the aquarium. It is also a way for people to have to figure out what the organisms' natural environment looks like, without having to go to this site.

° Paludarium is a combination aquarium and terrarium, or a combination of land and water bodies.It implies greater efforts to be paludarium serveas or residential care system for plant and animal species that would could range from frogs, tropical fish, orchids, etc.

° Saltwater reef, of the name, it's aquascape design that focuses on the reef. Thus, the rock types are mostly furnished and inhabited by corals and marine invertebrates.

These are just some of aquascaping designs. However, regardless of the variety of designs, you re sure to give the fish a taste of paradise!

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Hottonia palustris is a pinnate-leafed aquatic plant, commonly referred to as Featherfoil, is a native of marshes and bogs in Europe and Asia. It is usually found growing totally submersed except for the long flower spikes each bearing a set of light purple flowers. Hottonia palustris also often found on the outer edges of these marshes and ponds this plant produces unmistakable purple/lilac colored flowers which are striking against its naturally green environment.

In fact, botanists often refer to this freshwater aquarium plant as Water Violet, due to the vibrant purple flowers it produces. Grown in slightly dense patches and reaching a height of 80 cm, Hottonia palustris serves as an ideal hiding place for invertebrates such as beetles, water spiders,dragonflies and damselflies.

Hottonia palustris has become a very popular pond plant for its unique flowers, but it has also grown in popularity among aquarists who enjoy the pulsing green color of its leaves as it is grown underwater.



Hottonia palustris Plant Profile :

• Scientific Name: Hottonia palustris
• Common Name: Featherfoil
• Difficulty: Easy
• CO2 Requirements: Low
• Aquarium Lighting Systems Requirements: Medium
• Plant Arrangement: Midground
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Family: Primulaceae
• Genus: Hottonia
• Origin: Europe
• Plant Type: Stem
• Water Hardness: Medium (GH = 9-13 dH)

Growth characteristics

Hottonia palustris in its submersed form is extraordinarily different from its emersed growth. Underwater it is formed of bright green, feather-like leaves that bush out horizontally. Hottonia palustris can reach a height of 30 cm and a span of 20 cm when grown in good nutrient rich, and well lighted conditions. When provided with direct light, the water violet will branch out horizontally to form a low growing bush. Carbon dioxide inject will increase the growth rate of this plant but it is not required. Since it feeds mostly from the water column and substrate, it is important to either have a nutrient rich substrate or regularly add supplements to the water.



Aquascaping Application

Hottonia palustris is best planted in the midground areas of a planted aquarium with taller plants in the background. The fine leaf structure contrasts well against larger leaf plants such as Java Fern, Cryptocoryne balansae, or sword plants. Aquascapers will trim each stem in half to encourage the water violet plant to produce side shoots. This results in a perfect midground bush.

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Hygrophila corymbosa is a very hardy, fast growing plant. The genus Hygrophila has been first described by Brown in 1810. In 1826, Blume described this same genus under the name Nomaphila. According to the Aquatic Plant Book by Christopher D.K. Cook - the two names would be synonymous and both names could be used to describe the Hygrophila genus. Lots of cultivated variety of the Hygrophila corymbosa species is commercially available. Hygrophila corymbosa “augustifolia”, “compact”, “aroma”, “siamensis” and “stricta” are all variation of the natural corymbosa species. Hygrophila corymbosa, also known as Hygrophila stricta, originates from Southeast Asia (Thailand, India, and Malaysia). In the US, it is found in certain part of Florida.

Hygrophila corymbosa has long and narrow pointy leaves with an average of 3 to 5 inches. If let grown, the height of the plant can reach up to 24 inches. The leaves are bright green and quite dense if the plant is kept in proper conditions. Because it is fast growing, this plant can be used as cycling plants. They are also very popular in Dutch aquarium for their bushy appearance and in cichlid tanks for their ability to adapt to a broad range of water parameters.

In the wild, this freshwater aquarium plants can be seen in both its submerged and emersed forms. The roots develop in a wet substrate while the leaves grow above or below the water line. When the leaves reach above the water line, they usually become blue/brown, the stem becomes stronger and little blue flowers start blooming. The size of the leaves will also vary depending if the plant grows emersed or submerged.

Although Hygrophila corymbosa is very hardy, it will thrive best in a rich substrate. Iron, minerals and strong lighting are recommended for the plant to develop bright green leaves and to get a bushier appearance. One problem encounters by many aquascapers familiar with this plant is that it will loose its lower leaves if the plant in not kept in the best conditions and pruned on a regular basis. This problem reside in the fact that when they grow, the upper leaves create shade for the lower portion of the leaves on the stem, which results in a lack of lighting and disintegration of the leaves. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to prune the plants before they reach the water line, unless the tank benefits of optimum water and lighting conditions. Trimming Hygrophila corymbosa regularly will also increase the diameter of the plant, giving it a bushier appearance. Propagation is done through cuttings.

Hygrophila corymbosa is one of beautiful and hardy aquatic plants species such as Hygrophila polysperma that doesn't require much attention to grow well. It grows pretty large leaves, allowing a single stem to occupy a significant part of the tank. Left alone, it easily crosses the water surface and begins to assume its emersed form: the leaves are darker and harder, and the plant produces purple flowers that give out a pleasant scent. But in this case it also ends up shedding all underwater leaves, so frequent pruning aquarium plants is required if you don't want that. Any pruned stem may be buried in the gravel and will readily generate a new plant. Even without enriched soil, this plant will create strong roots. There seems to be some confusion in literature between the names Hygrophila corymbosa, Hygrophila stricta and Nomaphila stricta. Possibly these are all variants of the same "aquatic plants species".

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The following is a series of photographs by aquamoss.net that clearly illustrate how to create an aquatic moss wall as aquarium backdrop. A very simple technique could be employed to create a backdrop using aquatic moss for the nature aquarium. The stuffs needed to create the moss wall are commonly available, and the following simple steps will show you how to get it done with a little effort.

Picture on the left are what you would need to create the moss wall:

- Plastic Mesh
- Scissors
- Suction Cups
- Tying Wire
- Aquatic Moss


The plastic mesh is commonly available in most hardware stores, plant nuseries, and large supermarkets. It's main use is to be mounted on windows to prevent mosquitoes and other insects from entering the house. Well, we have different use for it. The meshes come in different colours and sizes, but for our moss wall, we would need one that is about 7mm to 8mm in size, and black colour is more appropriate for the backdrop.

The mesh is cut to 2 times the size of the tank that you want the moss wall to be in. You would need to fold the mesh in half and stuff the moss in-between. Cut some holes on the perimeter of the mesh so as to stick in the suction cups.

For my demonstration, it's for a small 1 ft tank, hence one suction cup is sufficient. If you are doing a large wall, you will need to put in more suction cups especially on the 4 corners, and also some suction cups around the centre of the mesh to prevent warping when the mesh is in the tank.


Next, you would need sufficient quantity of moss. Open up the mesh, and spread out the moss evenly onto half of the mesh. Try not to leave any space uncovered, else you might have gaps in your moss wall later when the wall has been erected in your tank and the moss starts to grow out.

Fold back the other half of the mesh, and tie up the 2 halves together. I'm using some tying wire here, since it's simple and I have it available on hand. You could also use fishing line or nylon thread to tie it up. Do not use any cotton thread since it will disintegrate after a short while in the tank. Remember to insert in the suction cups.

The above diagrams illustrate the final product.


Next, insert the mess against the back panel of your tank. Try to leave as little gap between the mesh and the glass as possible to prevent small fish from entering and stuck inside. One tip to prevent fish from entering the gap is to cut the height of the mesh to be slightly taller so that you can tuck the bottom of the mesh slightly into the substrate, and the top slightly above the highest water line. As for the length, try to measure it accurately so that both sides of the mesh fit closely to both sides of the tank.

The final step, wait for the moss to grow out of the mesh, and thou shall be rewarded.

Growing aquatic moss in the aquarium is not very difficult. Aquatic mosses can be considered to be the easiest aquatic plants to grow in the tank. In general, if you can keep Java Fern alive, you should have no problem keeping Java Moss and most of the aquatic moss. Most of the moss are not very demanding in their requirements. They can tolerate lower light levels than the higher plants, and they can grow well even without the supplement of Carbon Dioxide to the aquarium. They can also grow with minimum nutrients. However, with proper lightings (about 2 watt/gallon), CO2 supplement, and some macro-nurtients and micro-nutrients, one would really be able to see the true beauty of these aquatic moss wall in the aquarium.

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Glossostiga elantinoides is the type of freshwater aquarium plant that first popularized by Takashi Amano, aquarist from Japan. Glossostigma elatinoides will flourish if the water conditions in accordance with the requirements. The leaves will overlap each other and the bottom leaves will die due to lack of light. Therefore, the leaves should be trimmed regularly so that the new leaves can grow up and look neat.

Glossostigma elatinoides only requires sufficient fertilizers and an adequate source of the gas CO2 (carbon dioxide), or a good liquid carbon substitute like Excel or Natural Aquarium Vital. It also likes water that is not too hard. The leaves are a beautiful shade of bright green, making it an excellent foreground plant for higher light aquariums. In lower light the plant tends to grow upward as if to reach the light, and eventually withers away.

"Glossostigma elatinoides" besides requiring a sufficient supply of carbon dioxide also requires a lot of light. Therefore, placement these plants near the aquarium lighting will provide enough light for Glossostigmat elatinoides to photosynthesize, besides seek to no other plants that cover the aquarium lights.

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Cryptocoryne are the type of freshwater aquarium plants including the amphibian species (the leaves can grow inside or on the water surface). There are a few Cryptocoryne species that can grow under the water alone, one of them is Cryptocoryne aponogetfolia.

Almost all types of Cryptocoryne susceptible to 'Cryptocoryne Rot' diseases which leaves 'melt' or 'become mush' when planted in the aquarium. This is because Cryptocoryne commonly cultivated in the upper surface of the water (hydroponics) or on the wet ground with temperatures around 30 °C. If later Cryptocoryne drowned in a cold aquarium water, the sensitive leaves will be stress and melt due to changes in temperature. To overcome this, before planting we must cut the older leaves are more susceptible and leave the young leaves are more robust only.

Inside the freshwater aquarium, Cryptocoryne species need time to adapt from the "terrestrial leaf" to the "water leaves". During the adaptation period; only a few nutrients that can be absorbed. Therefore, a lot of nutritional support can make the aquarium excess nutrients and mossy.

Kind of slowly growing "freshwater aquarium plants" such as Cryptocoryne requires sufficient fertilizers on sand and take a long time for adjustments in the aquarium. Often there is no progress in the first two months after planting. But once began to grow after Cryptocoryne can adapt to the water conditions, then it will flourish and spread in the tightly form.

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The newly installed aquarium will be through a period called the critical period. At this time the nitrogen cycle has not been established and newly planted aquarium plants can not be fully functional because it is still in a period of adaptation. The photosynthesis process of the aquatic plants is still low. At this time the algae or moss is easy to attack the aquarium.

A good way to fight the algae problems at this critical time is to plant as many aquatic plants are rapidly growing to cover 80% of the sand surface. Luckily the price for the fast growing plants was relatively cheap.

If the type of aquatic plants that grow this fast planted in small amounts, of course not be much help for a new aquascaping aquarium installed. Later, if the critical period is over, so these plants can be replaced with other aquatic plants which more beautiful, slower growth and usually have the more expensive price as well.

It's erroneous if we planted the aquatic plant species which are slow growing such as the type of Cryptocoryne, Anubias, or Microsorium on the new aquarium installed in large numbers.

If we are impatient, and in a hurry to choose the type of plant which grows slowly, it could be a negative impact to the aquascape aquarium. The algae growth will rapidly. Eventually, this condition will make the aquarium owner frustrating.

Hygrophyla corymbosa is an aquatic plant in the acanthus family. It is native to South East Asia (Indonesia) but is grown worldwide in tropical aquariums.

These aquatic plants leaved tightly and growing quickly. As we known, the good way to fight the algae problems at a new aquascaping aquarium installed is to plant many aquarium plants are rapidly growing. Hygrophyla corymbosa will look beautiful in the aquarium that is large and high.

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An aquarium would be called beautiful when the aquarium plants which decorated in it grew healthy and fertile. The most beautiful ornamental fish would not issue its color optimally while it is in plain aquarium without plants. Because the fish - quickly or slowly must be stressed because they do not have a shelter. And more importantly, the aquarium without plants will not function as a healthy environment for ornamental fish.

Here are some reasons related to the function of water plants in aquarium so it can support fish life in the aquarium.

Oxygen suppliers
Aquatic plants in aquascape aquarium also release the oxygen needed by fish to breathe and suck the carbon dioxide released by fish. The process of plants with the help of light suck the carbon dioxide and release the oxygen as the exhaust substances called as photosynthesis. At night, when no more light, the work process of photosynthesis is halted and the opposite would occur. Plants will breathe by taking oxygen and release carbon dioxide as exhaust substances. This process is called respiration. Healthy plants in the daytime can produce more oxygen than those required by the plant itself and the fish at night. So, nothing to worry about at night aquarium deprived of oxygen.

Maintaining Water Quality
The healthy and fertile plants will make the aquarium water remains healthy. Based on research, has proven that the fish will live healthier in the planted aquarium. Aquatic plants besides they reduced the stress level of fish (because it has a place of refuge), also can eliminate toxic substances or harmful to fish.

Inhibits Algae Growth
As is known, excess levels of nitrate in the aquarium (due to the nitrogen cycle), can make the aquarium algae growth. One way to reduce nitrate levels is planting aquatic plants that grow quickly and require a lot of nitrate for growth. Different aquatic plants like Hygrophila difformis, Hygrophila corymbosa, Egeria densa, Ceratopteris thalictroides, Ceratophyllum demersum, and Gymnocoronis spilanthoides are very useful to suppress levels of nitrate in the aquarium. Thus, by aquarium plants the algae growth can be inhibited.

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