The Water Sprite is a beautiful and delicate aquatic plant that actually helps provide cleaner water for your aquarium. The Water Sprite’s roots are not very well adapted for being in the gravel so I prefer to float my plants or tie them to driftwood or a rock. Since this plants roots are not adapted for gravel their leaves have adapted to receive nutrients from the water instead. These beautiful delicate leaves add an elegance to the tank for the viewers pleasure while adding a safe haven and comfort zone for many small fish, fish fry, and invertebrates such as Red Cherry Shrimp.
What Water Parameters and Lighting do Water Sprite Need?
The Water Sprite does best in acidic water with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 with the temperature between 68 F and 82 F. Due to this plant specifically requiring acidic water these plants are not as versatile as Java Moss but much more elegant in appearance when used in a tank having these basic water parameters. Water sprite requires a moderate amount of lighting typical to most South American fish and aquatic plants.
Where Should Water Sprite Be Placed in an Aquarium?
Water Sprite does well when placed in various areas of the aquarium but my preferred method of keeping this is having the entire plant exposed but tied to a rock or piece of drift wood. This method prevents the bottom of the stem from rotting in the substrate and allows for better viewing than floating this beautiful plant. When placing Water Sprite in an aquarium you want its delicate leaves to be appreciated and viewed so mid ground placement is preferred.
What Benefits Does Water Sprite Have in an Aquarium?
Since Water Sprite absorbs nutrients from the water through its leaves this plant helps to maintain clearer and cleaner water. This plant in combination with Java Moss will keep the nitrate levels in your aquarium more stable and help keep the detritus, or organic fish waste, under control. Of course, this does not substitute for frequent water changes but only makes life more comfortable for your aquatic pets.
How Does Water Sprite Propagate?
Water Sprite falls into the category of adventitious plants, similar to Java Fern, which means that miniature daughter plants will for directly off the tips of the mother plants leaves. These miniature versions will detach from the mother plant and drift off to get stuck somewhere (or be placed somewhere by an aquarist) to grow into a full grown plant.
Evan Eloe - When learning about what he loves Evan leaves no rock unturned giving his readers a clear and well rounded source of knowledge.
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