Plant Profile
Ceratopteris Cornuta, commonly known as Broad-leaf Water Sprite, is a classic aquatic fern and a longtime favorite for aquascapers looking to outcompete algae. Whether you float it on the water surface as an intricate canopy or plant it directly into the substrate as a lush background centerpiece, this prolific grower acts as a heavy nutrient sponge, absorbing excess nitrates and waste from the water column. Its branchy, delicate foliage makes it a beloved staple for fish breeders and shrimp keepers, providing endless grazing surfaces and cozy hiding spots for delicate fry and shrimplets. Highly adaptable and forgiving, Water Sprite thrives in soft or hard water alike, making it an excellent, low-maintenance choice for low-tech tanks and paludariums.
Key Features & Benefits
- Branchy foliage creates a lush floating canopy or background bush.
- Absorbs excess nitrates and biological waste from the water column to suppress algae.
- Dense leaves offer shelter, shade, and grazing area for timid fish, shrimplets, and newborn fry.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Gently place the plant directly onto the water surface to float freely, or anchor the base into your substrate as a background stem plant.
- Keep surface agitation moderate to low, ensuring heavy filter currents or spray bars do not constantly submerge floating fronds.
- Provide low to moderate lighting to maintain steady growth and lush green coloration across the delicate leaves.
- Thin out or trim the floating fronds regularly using sharp aquascaping scissors to prevent the canopy from completely shading submerged plants below.
- Propagate by snipping healthy fronds or separating adventitious baby plantlets that naturally form along older leaf edges.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute |
Specification |
| Scientific Name |
Ceratopteris cornuta |
| Common Name(s) |
Broad-leaf Water Sprite, Water Hornfern |
| Family |
Pteridaceae |
| Plant Type |
Floating Plant / Submerged Fern |
| Height / Size |
6–15 in. |
| Care Difficulty |
Easy |
| Light Requirement |
Low to Moderate |
| CO2 Requirement |
Not Required (Boosts growth & density) |
| Placement / Usage |
Water Surface Canopy, Background Accent, Fry Shelter |
| Growth Rate |
Fast |
| Water Parameters |
pH 6.0–7.5 | Temperature 68°F–82°F (20°C–28°C) |
| Propagation Method |
Division / Trimming Stems & Plantlets |
| Origin |
Cosmopolitan (Pan-Tropical) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I let Water Sprite float on the water surface or does it have to be planted?
Water Sprite is extremely versatile and can be grown either way. When left to float on the water surface, it forms delicate fronds that spread horizontally while extending feeder roots into the water column. If you prefer to plant it in substrate, anchor the base gently without burying the crown to grow it as a bushy background fern.
2. How do I propagate new Water Sprite plants?
Propagation is effortless because this plant produces tiny plantlets along the edges of mature fronds. You can simply snip off these adventitious plantlets once they grow small roots and place them elsewhere to float, or snip main stems and replant them into your substrate.
3. Why is my floating Water Sprite growing so fast and blocking light?
Because floating plants for aquariums have direct access to ambient carbon dioxide in the air, Water Sprite grows exponentially faster at the surface than submerged plants. Regular maintenance and thinning with sharp aquascaping shears are essential to prevent the dense floating mat from blocking light to your foreground and midground plants.
