{"product_id":"ceratopteris-cornuta","title":"Ceratopteris cornuta","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Water Sprite (\u003ci\u003eCeratopteris cornuta\u003c\/i\u003e), also widely known as the Horned Sun Fern or Broad-Leaved Water Sprite, is a magnificent and fast-growing aquatic fern prized for its delicate, finely-laced foliage. Highly versatile, it can be planted directly into the substrate or left to float freely on the water's surface, making it an exceptional choice for both aquascapers and beginner hobbyists looking to establish a healthy biological balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShort Description \u0026amp; Highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eCeratopteris cornuta\u003c\/i\u003e is an adaptable, pantropical aquatic fern that acts as a natural nutrient powerhouse in fresh water aquariums. Its rapid growth rate enables it to outcompete nuisance algae by rapidly absorbing excess nitrates and phosphates. Whether used as a stunning background feature or a floating canopy that provides gentle shade for timid fish and shrimp, this beginner-friendly plant delivers both beauty and practical ecological benefits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Product Highlights:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ci\u003eCeratopteris cornuta\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Sprite, Horned Fern, Broad Sumatran Fern\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlacement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBackground, Midground, or Floating Plant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eCare Level\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEasy (Highly forgiving and beginner-friendly)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFast\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eMax Height\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 cm)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eLighting Demand\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModerate to High\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemp: 59°F–82°F (15°C–28°C) | pH: 5.0–8.0 | KH: Soft to Hard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetailed Beginner Care Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1. Placement \u0026amp; Aquascaping Options\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eCeratopteris cornuta\u003c\/i\u003e offers exceptional flexibility in aquarium layout. When anchored in the substrate, its lush, antler-like leaves create a brilliant, textured background or midground buffer. Alternatively, it can float unrooted at the water surface, where its intricate root system dangles down to provide safe cover, breeding grounds, and grazing areas for fry and freshwater shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2. Lighting \u0026amp; Nutrient Absorption\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a robust aquatic fern, it thrives under moderate-to-high lighting intensity. Because of its accelerated growth rate, it consumes heavy amounts of column nutrients, making it one of the premier biological tools for preventing and clearing out new-tank algae blooms. Regular liquid fertilization containing trace elements and iron will keep its light green coloration vibrant and rich.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3. Propagation \u0026amp; Maintenance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePropagation with the Water Sprite is straightforward and fascinating. Mature leaves that break off or float horizontally on the water surface naturally develop tiny adventitious plantlets along their margins. Once these baby ferns grow small root systems and leaves of their own, they can be gently detached and planted into the substrate to expand your aquascape. Routine trimming helps manage its size and keeps lower portions of the tank well-lit.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57050289373524,"sku":"ST010332","price":4.8,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/5828\/7444\/files\/Ceratopteriscornuta.jpg?v=1788862621","url":"https:\/\/www.tropicalmarineaquatic.com\/products\/ceratopteris-cornuta","provider":"Tropical Marine Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}