Ceratopteris cornuta

Scientific name: Ceratopteris cornuta

Family: Parkeriaceae

Usual maximum size in aquariums: 20 - 50 cm (7.87 - 19.69 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 5.4 - 8

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 18°N (71.43 - 321.43ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 17 - 28 °C (62.6 - 82.4°F)

Reproduction of the plant: Rhizome

Origin (in the wild): South Asia

How fast these plants grow: Fast

Recommended substrate: Fine gravel

Demands on lighting: Bright

Ideal placement in a fish tank: Background

Family

Parkeriaceae

Common Names

Ceratopteris cornuta is also known as Water Sprite, Indian Fern, Water Fern.

Origin

Asia, these Ceratopteris plants are widespread over most of Asia.

Growth Rate

Fast if given the correct amounts of lighting.

Planting Area

Midground to background.

Lighting Requirements

Bright lighting is required to get this plant to grow at a reasonable rate, too low a level of lighting will result in leggy plants.

Propagation

This is a rhizome plant so propagation is quite easy, remove the mother plant from the aquarium and divide the rhizome into smaller pieces. These will then grow as individual plants when the pieces of rhizome are re-planted in the substrate. Always make sure that the rhizome is not completely submerged under the substrate or it will rot.

Difficulty

Medium

Short Description

In the nature, this species is normally found in marshy areas however these plants are about to grow as well when they are completely submerged. In some countries the leaves are used in cooking and even eaten raw in salads.