{"product_id":"floating-moss-ball-riccia","title":"Floating Moss Ball-Riccia","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a ball of Riccia fluitans, or crystalwort — strictly a floating liverwort rather than a true moss, wrapped over a light float to drift near the surface as a bright-green cushion of fine, forking branches. It gives fry and shrimp cover and, in a high-light tank, pearls with oxygen bubbles beautifully. Worth knowing up front: it has no roots and no natural way to cling, so it takes a little effort to keep tidy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRiccia fluitans is a cosmopolitan aquatic liverwort that floats in tangled mats on the surface of still and slow freshwaters worldwide, and can also grow submerged. It has no roots, absorbing everything from the water. As a float it sits happily near the surface; aquascapers also tie it down under mesh to grow it as a submerged carpet, though it constantly tries to float free.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBright translucent-green, it forms dense clumps of fine, repeatedly forking flat branches with a crystalline look — hence “crystalwort”. Wrapped as a ball it makes a rounded floating cushion a few centimetres across; the liverwort grows outward into a loose, airy mat. Under strong light and CO2 it traps tiny oxygen bubbles across its surface for a glittering effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimplest kept floating, as sold, where it needs no attachment and gives surface cover. To use it as a submerged foreground carpet, sandwich a thin layer under stainless mesh or tie it to hardscape — but be aware it has no roots and will lift and float away wherever it can, so it needs regular attention. Not a substrate plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo planting needed as a float. For a carpet, pin a thin layer beneath mesh or tie it to rock\/wood and trim regularly. Propagation could not be easier: break the clump into pieces and each fragment grows on independently, so it multiplies quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor loose floating growth it is easy in moderate light with no CO2. But to grow it compact and submerged — and to see it pearl — it needs bright, high lighting and CO2 is strongly recommended; without them submerged Riccia grows loose and pale. It feeds from the water column, so dose liquid fertiliser. Comfortable at 20–26 °C (tolerates 15–30 °C), pH 6.0–8.0, soft to moderately hard water. Growth is moderate to fast; thin it before it shades the tank below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRiccia fluitans\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrystalwort (Floating Moss Ball)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCosmopolitan (worldwide freshwaters)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMat 1–4 cm thick\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to Fast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner (floating) \/ Intermediate (submerged carpet)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFloating (or submerged carpet with effort)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate (High for a submerged carpet)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required floating \/ Beneficial (recommended) submerged\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid fertiliser (water-column feeder)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDivision (fragments)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShrimp and fry tanks, aquascapes, surface cover\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGreat with small peaceful fish and shrimp, which shelter in and graze the floating mat; a favourite cover in livebearer and fry tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoisterous and digging fish will scatter it, and vigorous surface feeders disturb the mat. Its real catch is its rootlessness: expect it to break up and float, so it is not the plant for anyone wanting a fuss-free fixed carpet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or local delivery. Sold sizes\/portions reflect what we stock; anything shown as sold out will return as we restock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234104885539,"sku":"AA1318","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/floating-moss-ball-riccia-43078167986467-v2.webp?v=1790321590","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/floating-moss-ball-riccia","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}