Water Sprite Aquarium Plant with Lace-Like Foliage for Planted or Floating Freshwater Aquascapes

The Water Sprite aquarium plant brings finely divided, lace-like greenery to freshwater tanks. Also known as Indian Fern, Ceratopteris thalictroides can grow planted in the substrate or floating at the surface, giving you flexibility when arranging a natural aquascape.

Its delicate foliage provides cover for fry, shrimp, and small fish. Low to moderate lighting is sufficient, and supplemental CO2 is not required, making it a practical choice for beginner and low-tech aquarium setups. Rapid growth calls for regular trimming or thinning to keep the plant from shading the tank.

Select a small, medium, large, or potted plant to suit your setup. Live plants naturally vary in size and shape, and leaf shape can change between planted and floating growth. Occasional snails or other microorganisms may appear after transit or acclimation.

Features

• Lace-like leaves add a soft texture alongside broad-leaf aquarium plants.
• Planted or floating growth suits different aquarium layouts.
• Dense foliage provides shelter for fry and shrimp.
• Rapid growth absorbs nutrients from the water column.
• Low to moderate light is sufficient without supplemental CO2.
• Plantlets on older leaves can be detached and replanted or floated.

Specifications

• Plant: Water Sprite / Indian Fern
• Scientific name: Ceratopteris thalictroides
• Environment: Freshwater aquarium
• Small variant: 5–8 inches
• Medium variant: 8–12 inches
• Large variant: 12–18 inches
• Potted variant: Potted plant; dimensions unspecified
• Lighting: Low to moderate
• Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Water hardness: Soft to moderately hard
• Growth placement: Planted in substrate or floating
• Supplemental CO2: Not required
• Fertilization: Liquid fertilizer is optional
• Maintenance: Regular trimming and thinning

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Water Sprite grow floating instead of being planted?

Yes. Water Sprite can grow floating at the surface or planted in the substrate. Floating foliage provides shade and cover, while planted growth can serve as midground planting in smaller tanks or background planting in larger aquariums.

Does Water Sprite need CO2 injection or strong lighting?

Water Sprite does not require supplemental CO2, and low to moderate lighting is sufficient. Higher lighting can encourage faster growth and denser foliage; liquid fertilizer is optional.

What sizes can I select?

Water Sprite is offered in small (5–8 inches), medium (8–12 inches), large (12–18 inches), and potted forms. These size ranges apply to their named variants, and individual live plants vary naturally in size and shape.

How do I keep Water Sprite from shading my aquarium?

Trim Water Sprite regularly and thin floating growth as needed, especially in smaller tanks. Its rapid growth can otherwise reduce the light reaching plants below.

How can I propagate Water Sprite?

Water Sprite produces plantlets on older leaves. Detach these plantlets and replant them in the substrate or allow them to float freely.

Can this live plant introduce snails into my aquarium?

Yes, occasional snails or other microorganisms may appear on Water Sprite after transit or acclimation. Consider this possibility when adding the plant to a tank where hitchhikers are unwanted.