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Riccia
Riccia fluitans
Also known as Crystalwort, Floating Riccia
Plantae›Tracheophyta›Magnoliopsida›Marchantiales›Ricciaceae
📍 Cosmopolitan (worldwide)
A floating liverwort made famous by Takashi Amano, who pioneered the technique of tying Riccia to rocks and driftwood using hairnets to create lush, bright green carpet-like surfaces. Left floating, it forms a thick mat at the water surface that provides excellent cover for fry and shrimp. When submerged and attached, it releases oxygen bubbles in a process called pearling, creating a spectacular visual effect. It is not a true moss but behaves similarly and is essential in the competition aquascaping world.
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Compatible Livestock
Shrimp graze on algae and detritus without damaging Riccia; dense mats provide shelter and grazing surfaces
Excellent algae control and won't uproot or consume healthy Riccia; benefit from the cover it provides
Small, peaceful algae eaters that navigate through Riccia mats without damaging them
Tiny, peaceful schooling fish that use floating or attached Riccia as shelter and breeding grounds
Complementary foreground plant; both create dense cover and have similar care requirements
Pairs well as a substrate plant while Riccia occupies the midwater and surface; different growth forms create layered aquascaping
Common Diseases
Algae Overgrowth (Green/Black Beard Algae)
Green or dark filamentous algae coating Riccia fronds; reduced light penetration and plant vigor
Increase water changes, reduce photoperiod to 6-8 hours, boost CO₂ levels, manually remove affected portions, or use algae-eating shrimp (Amano, Red Cherry)
Nutrient Deficiency
Yellowing or pale fronds, stunted growth, loss of vibrant green color despite adequate light
Dose all-in-one liquid fertilizer (Thrive, Flourish) 1-2 times weekly; ensure fish bioload is adequate or add macronutrient supplements
Melting (Decay)
Fronds turning brown or translucent, disintegration of plant tissue, foul odor
Improve water circulation, perform 30-50% water change, remove decaying portions, ensure adequate CO₂ and light; check for poor water quality or temperature stress
Bleaching (Light Stress)
Riccia turning pale white or yellowish under excessive light without adequate nutrients or CO₂
Reduce photoperiod to 8-10 hours daily, increase CO₂ injection, dose fertilizers, or provide shade with taller plants
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Quick Facts
- co2
- Recommended for attached growth and pearling
- light
- Medium to high
- max size
- Surface mat; attached clumps 2–5 cm (1–2 in) thick
- placement
- Surface (floating) or foreground/hardscape (attached)
- substrate
- None — floats or attach to hardscape with net/thread
- growth rate
- Fast
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–8.0
- notes
- Floats naturally; requires netting or thread to hold submerged. Produces prolific O₂ bubbles in good light/CO₂.
- hardness
- 0–15 dGH
- temperature
- 138–183°F (59–84°C)
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.