NOTE: The photos labeled "ABOVE WATER" shows what the plant looks like when you buy the ABOVE WATER GROWN version. This is great for ponds. Fish and fry love to hide in the bunches of this plant. There will also be parts with brown and new leaves off the top of the brown above water converting growth. Water sprite (or Ceratopteris thalictroides if you want to get scientific) is a highly versatile plant.(often confused with Water Wisteria) You can keep it floating at the top of your tank. Just throw it in. When floated, water sprite will quickly multiply once established. I grew it like this in my 125 under high light and CO2 and it grew like crazy. I had runners all over the place... This is an EXTREMELY HARDY PLANT. It can handle the abuse of a beginner but also reward someone who is more advanced. It likes slightly higher calcium content. (Don't over think this unless you have like discus low ph water) It has a strong sturdy stem structure and will handle the abuse of rowdy fish. I have heard people keeping it with cichlids... I don't keep cichlids and promise nothing with those fish and most plants. The only draw back to this plant is it has a strong "Stalk" like stem that periodically used to break off in rough shipping situations which is why you haven't seen it on our site for awhile. What is cool about Water Sprite when floated is that is produces extensive, sweet looking roots down into the tank. It grows wide leaves that attempt to cover the waters surface. My angels loved this and your fish will like it as well. This is also beneficial for newly hatched fry as well as they can hide in the big roots. Water Sprite can also be rooted down just like a normal plant. It doesn't have the hardiest roots so you'll want to get it down in there pretty good. When grown under water it will have skinnier branchy leaves that look entirely different when grown above the water.
