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Riccia fluitans
(crystalwort)
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click here to view additional photos
 For
the first of our plant of the month articles, we
take a look at the spectacular looking aquatic
liverwort Riccia fluitans. For many years this
naturally floating plant has been grown fully
submersed in high-tech planted aquariums around the
world. It has grown in popularity since first
made famous by aquascape gurus such as Takashi
Amano.
Riccia in nature
Riccia fluitans is
cosmopolitan specie of plant, and so can be found
growing in different climates and conditions, from
the warm tropics of Asia to the more temperate zones
of Europe.
Riccia is found in nature as a floating plant, where
on the waters surface it can make full use of energy
from sunlight and take in ample amounts of
atmospheric carbon dioxide.
The plants unusual body structure known as the
thallus, allows individuals to interlock, and so
form large clumps or mats. Which rapidly
multiply across the waters surface. These large and
dense areas of floating Riccia provide natural
refuges for many aquatic creatures, giving them
adequate cover from predatory species.
Many species of fish such as Anabantoids will choose
floating Riccia to spawn in, knowing that their
offspring will have a better chance of survival.
Riccia in the aquarium
When grown fully
submersed in the aquatic garden, Riccia fluitans is
one of those plant species that is hard to rival.
It certainly gives an aquascape that WOW factor.
Under high light and CO2 injection, the magic
begins. During the photoperiod, the spectacular
display photosynthesis is witnessed, as hundreds of
bubbles of O2 are produced.
The only problem is how do you keep it down, and
prevent its natural urge to rise to the top and once
again float on the waters surface. There are
several methods used today, for anchoring down
Riccia fluitans.
Method 1: The most widely and traditional method
used, is to spread a layer of Riccia over a suitable
piece of aquarium furnishing such as rock or
driftwood. A fine mesh is created using
monofilament fishing line, bound around the chosen
object. The Riccia will grow through the
monofilament mesh within just a couple of days.
Method 2: The hairnet method, an easy instant mesh
to again hold the Riccia to a piece of aquarium
furnishing. The only problem foreseen is the
holes in the hairnet may be a little too large and
the Riccia can easily escape.
Method 3: Mosquito netting, the holes of mosquito
netting are of the perfect size to initially hold
the Riccia in place, and allow for the ease of
growth. The netting can be cut to any size or
shape and so there are no restrictions, as you would
find using the hairnet method. To hold the
netting in place, fishing line should be threaded
first around the edges of the netting, with each end
of the line tied together to finish off the process.
Method 4: The grid, this by far the simplest way of
keeping Riccia submersed. These are non-toxic metal
grids coated and sealed with a plastic finish.
This is an ideal method to use Riccia as a
foreground carpeting plant.
The grids are available already loaded with Riccia,
in store at Living Waters.
The size of each grid is 10cm x 12cm.
Method 5: Natures way. This method generally either
happens by fluke in already mature and established
aquatic gardens, or can be planned with the clever
use of other aquatic plants such as species of
aquatic mosses.
Natural fluke: Is when a small piece of Riccia gets
caught up in amongst existing groups of plants.
The Riccia is held there naturally and continues to
grow and multiply.
Naturally planned: Uses method 1, only this time the
use of a carpeting plant is tied amongst the Riccia.
A specie which is ideal for this method is
Hemianthus micranthemoides, along with various moss
species. As these plants all “grow in”
together the roots and runners assist to hold down
the Riccia.
Top tip
The key to keeping
Riccia fluitans down long-term is to keep it
trimmed. With the use of aquatic gardening scissors,
such as those from the JBL aqua tool range (also
available in store). The longer and larger the
mass Riccia becomes the more chance of its buoyancy.
Requirements
Lighting: moderate to
high
Substrate: any
CO2: very beneficial
Fertiliser: liquid feed micro/macro nutrients
PH: 5-8.5
Hardness: very soft-very hard
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