People treat Riccia like decoration. It is closer to a slow, quiet pet that responds to the water you keep. The Riccia fluitans Riccia is a workhorse plant for a reason: it tolerates a wide range of conditions and still looks good doing it.
At a glance
| Light | high |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22 to 28 °C |
| pH | 6.0 to 7.5 |
| Height | 2 to 5 cm |
| CO₂ | beneficial |
| Growth | fast |
Planting
Plant Riccia with the crown or rhizome clear of the substrate — burying it rots the base. In a 27-gallon tank, position it mid-ground or background depending on its height. Weaker setups do fine; pair it with our cherry shrimp care: a colourful, low-tech cleanup crew guide for a layered look.
Light and CO₂
Run 9 hours of light a day on a timer to avoid algae swings. Riccia grows under high light and beneficial, though a small, steady dose of liquid fertiliser every 3 weeks pushes denser growth.
Propagation
Tie to driftwood or mesh; it forms bright green pads.
Common issues
Yellowing lower leaves usually mean a nutrient gap, not too little light. Trim dying leaves at the base, keep nitrates around 10 to 20 ppm, and avoid moving the plant every week — our best fish for a 20-gallon tank: 15 species that thrive guide explains why stability beats tinkering.
