RICCIA FLUITANS

Riccia fluitans – Floating Crystalwort

Riccia fluitans, commonly known as Floating Crystalwort, is a versatile and vibrant green aquarium liverwort that can be grown either floating on the water’s surface or secured to hardscape to create a lush foreground carpet.

Popularised by renowned aquascaper Takashi Amano, Riccia has become an iconic plant in Nature-style and Iwagumi aquascapes. Its fine, moss-like texture produces dense, bright-green cushions that beautifully complement rocks, driftwood and other hardscape.

Versatile Aquascaping Plant

When grown submerged and attached to rock, wood or mesh, Riccia can create an attractive, textured carpet or striking green cushions. Under strong lighting, good fertilisation and pressurised CO₂, healthy Riccia can produce spectacular pearling, adding movement and life to the aquarium.

When allowed to float, Riccia provides shade, shelter and a surface for biofilm, making it particularly useful in shrimp and fry aquariums.

Care & Maintenance

Riccia is relatively easy to grow but benefits from good lighting, nutrients and CO₂ for its best colour and growth.

When used as a carpet, it should be trimmed regularly to keep it compact and prevent the lower sections from becoming detached and floating around the aquarium.

For a natural-looking display, secure Riccia to rocks or driftwood using aquascaping thread, mesh or suitable plant-safe materials. As it grows, regular trimming will encourage a dense and healthy appearance.

Why Choose Riccia fluitans?

● 🌿 Vibrant bright-green colour

● 🌿 Can be grown floating or submerged

● 🌿 Excellent for Nature-style and Iwagumi aquascapes

● 🌿 Ideal for attaching to rocks, driftwood and mesh

● 🌿 Provides shelter and biofilm for shrimp and fry

● 🌿 Produces beautiful pearling under strong light and CO₂

● 🌿 Creates dense, textured foregrounds and cushions

● 🌿 Excellent for adding contrast and detail to hardscape

Riccia fluitans is a fantastic choice for aquascapers looking to add vibrant colour, fine texture and versatility to their aquarium. Whether floating naturally on the surface or secured to hardscape as a lush foreground feature, Crystalwort can transform an aquarium into a stunning underwater landscape.

Recommended for: Intermediate aquascapers, particularly those using pressurised CO₂ and good-quality aquarium lighting.