Indian fern or water sprite is a famous and unique aquatic plant. It grows from 300 to 1300 meters from the mean sea level. With numerous characteristics and benefits, Ceratopteris thalictroides water sprite fills the tank with greenery. Along with the characteristics and benefits, you will learn how to grow and care for it in the tank in this article.
Water sprite
Water Sprite Aquatic Plant
Water sprite is among the famous freshwater aquatic plants. Its hardiness, versatility, and adaptation to different environments make it Aquarists’ favorite. It belongs to the genus Ceratopteris and the family Pteridaceae, which has some other ferns. The Genus Ceratoptreris has at least 4 species.
| Broadleaf water sprite (C. cornuta) | Triangle water fern (C. richardii) |
| Floating antlerfern or Water horn fern (C. pteridoides) | Water sprite (C. thalictroides) |
Ceratopteris Thalictroides Water Sprite
Ceratopteris thalictroides is a species of the Ceratopteris genus known for its lacy green leaves. It has many other names, i.e., Indian fern, water fern, Oriental water fern, Water horn fern, and Pakung Sunday.
Characteristics
Here are some unique features of Ceratopteris thalictroides water sprite.
- It has delicate, broad, and round leaves.
- Its leaves appear like invasive ferns.
- It exhibits a bushy growth.
- It can grow well in medium to highlight.
- The water sprite has a high growth rate.
- It can grow in the substrate and floating conditions.
- It can grow up to 15 inches tall and 9.75 inches wide.
- Water sprite can go well with freshwater fish, shrimps, and other aquatic species.
- It propagates with their cuttings.
Ceratopteris thalictroides aquarium
Habitat and Distribution
The water sprite is distributed in the southern tropics. That includes Asia, Africa, North America, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Oceania.
It grows in freshwater, i.e., swamps, marshes, ponds, and river edges. Usually, they affine to grow in still or slow-moving water conditions, either floating or roots in substrate conditions.
Growth Rate
It has a high growth rate. With ideal conditions, it can grow up to 3 inches per month. It’s considered an invasive species in some regions, i.e., central and southern Florida. Louisiana counts it as a Tier II invasive species.
Benefits
You can achieve several benefits by growing the Ceratopteris thalictroides water sprite in your tank.
| Suitable to grow in the breeding tanks | Helps to control the algae growth in the tank | Improves the oxygenation of the tank |
| Provides shelter for fry and small fish | Easy to grow in the tank | Gives a lush green look to the fish tank |
| Improves the water quality by taking the extra nutrients | ||
How to Grow Ceratopteris Thalictroides Water Sprite?
It’s easy to grow water sprite as they are hardy and have invasive abilities. However, it is necessary to adopt a proper method to observe lush green growth. Here are some steps that will help you to achieve it.
Preparation of Tank
Optimize all water parameters and other aspects, i.e., lighting, filtration, etc. Here are the optimal growth parameters for the water sprite.
| Parameter | Value |
| Water Temperature | 68–82°F |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Water hardness | 2–15 dKH |
| CO2 | Not required |
| Lighting | 2 to 3 watts per gallon with full spectrum light |
| Lighting exposure | 10 hours per day |
| Flow Rate | No, or Low flow rate |
Once you are done with the parameter optimization, it’s time to plantation.
Selection of Growth Methods
There are three methods that you can adapt to grow your water sprite. It includes
| Free-floating | Growing in substrate | Attached with hardscape |
All three are equally easy, but it depends on your choice. However, go with substrate and grow on hardscape to control its invasive nature.
Plantation
If you want erect and bushy growth, grow them in the substrate. You can use gravel, sand, or aquarium soil as substrate. Burry the cutting of water sprite up to 2 to 3 inches in the substrate. Make sure the crown remains out of the substrate. Maintain a 2 to 3 inches distance between the two plants.
Because they grow at a high rate, their branches can tangle with each other.
You can anchor it on the rock, driftwood, or other hardscapes. Use a fish line and tie the plant to the hardscape. Ensure that the roots always have access to water. Floating triggers the fastest growth rate as they have direct access to CO2.
Ceratopteris thalictroides water sprite
Ceratopteris Thalictroides Water Sprite Plant Care
It requires low maintenance but requires. With proper care and maintenance, you can observe optimal growth rates and easily control their invasive nature. Here is the daily care guide for your water sprite.
Light Check
Adjust the timer of your full spectrum LED between 8 and 10 hours per day. If you feel yellowness in your plant, increase light intensity. Check whether all lights are functional or not. If you find a defective one, then replace it.
Check Water Quality
Check the water temperature, pH level, and hardiness. If you find any parameters out of the optimal range, immediately fix it. However, never make drastic changes as they can stress out the plants and fish.
Plant Inspection
Check the plant and plant leaves. If you find yellowing, browning, or decaying leaves, immediately remove them. If you find the branches out of their range, trim them to bring them back to their original shape.
Nutrient Application
If the plant does not show lush green even after adjusting the lights, check the nutrient level. Use liquid fertilizers to ensure the proper nutrient distribution.
Water Flow Rate
Check the tank’s water flow rate. If it’s too strong, adjust it to medium or low. If lowering the flow rate is impossible, relocate the plant to a dead zone. This will also help you control nutrient accumulation.
Indian Fern ceratopteris thalictroides
Closing Remarks
Water sprites belong to the Ceratopteris genus and usually grow in tropical regions. Ceratopteris thalictroides water sprites have unique characteristics of round leaves, high growth rate, and hardy nature. With numerous benefits, you can easily grow in any setup in floating, attaching with hardscapes, and burrowing the cutting in the substrate. They require minimalist care.
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