{"product_id":"water-sprite-lace-leaf-ceratopteris-thalictroides-potted-freshwater-plant","title":"Water Sprite Lace Leaf (Ceratopteris thalictroides) - Potted","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E8F5E9;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Sprite Lace Leaf\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCeratopteris thalictroides\u003c\/em\u003e) is the finely cut selection of the classic aquarium fern. Every frond splits into narrow, feathery segments, giving a soft cloud of bright green that catches flow and diffuses light in a way broader plants cannot. It grows fast, needs no CO2, and works planted in the substrate or floated at the surface. This one arrives as a \u003cstrong\u003epotted nursery plant\u003c\/strong\u003e in rock wool, ready to plant or float. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive freshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e to fill in the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:4px 0 10px;padding-left:22px;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to high. More light keeps the plant compact and dense. In dim tanks it stretches and the fronds thin out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO2:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not required. This is a genuinely fast grower without any carbon dosing, which is what makes it such a good nutrient sponge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant or float:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planted, it forms a bushy midground or background clump. Floated, it trails long roots and throws a shady canopy that bettas and fry love. The lacy fronds look their best floating, where they spread flat across the surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove the pot and rock wool and rinse the roots. Bury only the roots and keep the crown, where the fronds meet the base, above the substrate line so it does not rot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A hungry column feeder. Regular dosing keeps the fine fronds full and green rather than pale and stringy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePropagation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Baby plantlets form right on mature fronds. Pinch one off once it has a few roots and leaves, then plant or float it anywhere.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:6px 0 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eWater Sprite Lace Leaf, Lace Leaf Water Sprite, Indian Water Fern\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCeratopteris thalictroides\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003ePteridaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eTropical regions worldwide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eTrue aquatic fern, plant or float\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eEasy, good for beginners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eModerate to high\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eMidground, background, or floating\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e68 to 82F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSold As\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003ePotted nursery plant in rock wool\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eLace Leaf or Indian Fern?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe stock water sprite in more than one cut. This \u003cstrong\u003eLace Leaf\u003c\/strong\u003e form has the finest, most deeply divided fronds, so it reads as soft and feathery and is the better pick for a delicate, airy look or for floating. Our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/water-sprite-indian-fern-ceratopteris-thalictroides-potted-freshwater-plant\"\u003eWater Sprite Indian Fern\u003c\/a\u003e is the broader, more upright cut, better as a substantial planted background clump. Care is identical for both, so choose on the look you want. Ask in store and we will show you the two side by side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eBest Uses and Companions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater sprite is a staple in betta tanks, shrimp tanks, and fry grow-outs. Floated, the fine canopy gives shy fish cover and gives fry somewhere to disappear. As a fast grower it pulls excess nitrate out of the water and starves out algae, which makes it one of the most useful plants you can put in a new tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:4px 0 10px;padding-left:22px;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-dwarf-neocaridina-shrimp\"\u003eNeocaridina shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, which graze biofilm off the fine fronds all day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava Moss\u003c\/a\u003e to carpet the hardscape below it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anubias-afzelii-potted-freshwater-plant\"\u003eAnubias Afzelii\u003c\/a\u003e for a solid, broad-leaved contrast against all that fine texture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:4px 0 10px;padding-left:22px;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-comprehensive-supplement\"\u003eSeachem Flourish\u003c\/a\u003e, water-column fertilizer to keep the fronds full.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquarium-co-op-easy-potassium\"\u003eAquarium Co-Op Easy Potassium\u003c\/a\u003e for lush green growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-pyroflora-volcanic-substrate-6-lbs\"\u003eCaribSea PyroFlora Substrate\u003c\/a\u003e if you are planting it in the substrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I float it instead of planting it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, and the lace leaf form is especially good floated. It spreads flat across the surface, trails long roots, and gives bettas and fry a shady canopy. Planted, it grows more upright and bushy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need CO2?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It grows fast under moderate to high light with no carbon dosing at all, which is exactly why it is so good at outcompeting algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are little plants growing on the leaves?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat is normal and a sign it is happy. Water sprite sprouts baby plantlets along mature fronds. Pinch them off once they have roots and a few leaves, then replant or float them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSome fronds melted after I planted it.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNursery plants are grown emersed and often drop a few original fronds while converting to underwater growth. Keep light and dosing steady and new submersed fronds follow quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe for fish and shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, completely. It is non-toxic and one of the best cover and grazing plants for community, betta, and shrimp tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48878315667675,"sku":"PPFWAL","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_58c83467-32da-4618-8417-23539e795345.png?v=1781535406","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/water-sprite-lace-leaf-ceratopteris-thalictroides-potted-freshwater-plant","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}