AquariumSetup

floating plant · medium

Water lettuce: height, light, CO₂ & fish that eat it

Pistia stratiotes has no height published by our sources and floats at the surface. It's rated for medium–high light, and injected CO₂ is not needed. Temperature 59–95°F, pH 5–8.

Restricted in some US states. On prohibited or restricted lists in Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, South Carolina and Michigan. California rates it a noxious weed. Never release it outdoors.
Try it in the tank builderSee which fish eat it

How tall it grows

It floats, so height doesn't limit which tank it suits.

Will it fit your tank?

Fits any tank. It floats at the surface. Thin it out so plants below still get light.
Check it with your fish →

Quick facts

Grows to
not published
Height basis
—
Where it goes
floating
Light
medium–high light
Injected CO₂
not needed
Growth
fast
Difficulty
medium
Temperature
59–95°F
pH
5–8
Hardness
not published
Feeds through
not published
Also sold as
—

Planting tip: Floats freely and spreads by stolons into dense mats.

Fish and Water lettuce

Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: plant-eating and digging named in each fish's sources, plus temperature and pH overlap.

Eats it (9)

May uproot it (0)

  • Not rooted, so digging fish can't pull it up.

Different water (0)

  • Every fish shares some temperature and pH range with it.
Fish that leave it alone and share its water (97)
Pearl GouramiAngelfishGerman Blue RamBolivian RamKribensisElectric Yellow LabBronze CoryPanda CoryPygmy CoryJulii CoryBristlenose PlecoOtocinclusKuhli LoachHillstream LoachSiamese Algae EaterCherry ShrimpAmano ShrimpNerite SnailMystery SnailGlowlight TetraLemon TetraCongo TetraBlack Neon TetraChili RasboraBoesemani RainbowfishDwarf Neon RainbowfishAfrican Dwarf FrogPea PufferGhost ShrimpIridescent SharkBala SharkRed-Tail SharkRainbow SharkOscarChinese Algae EaterNeon TetraCardinal TetraBlack Skirt TetraSerpae TetraRummy-nose TetraEmber TetraHarlequin RasboraZebra DanioCelestial Pearl DanioWhite Cloud Mountain MinnowCherry BarbTiger BarbGuppyEndler's LivebearerMollyPlatySwordtailBettaDwarf GouramiHoney GouramiHead-and-tail-light TetraBleeding Heart TetraDiamond TetraSilver Tip TetraPristella TetraPenguin TetraSilver HatchetfishMarbled HatchetfishLambchop RasboraPearl DanioGiant DanioScissortail RasboraGold BarbRosy BarbOdessa BarbDenison BarbVariatus PlatyThree-spot GouramiMoonlight GouramiSparkling GouramiParadise FishCockatoo Dwarf CichlidFiremouth CichlidElectric Blue AcaraDiscusBlood Parrot CichlidPeppered CorySterbai CoryClown PlecoPictus CatfishGlass CatfishUpside-down CatfishWeather LoachForktail Blue-eyeClown KillifishBumblebee GobyCrystal Red ShrimpBamboo ShrimpRamshorn SnailMalaysian Trumpet SnailAssassin SnailJapanese Trapdoor Snail

Common questions

How tall does Water lettuce grow?

Our sources don't publish a height for Water lettuce.

How much light does Water lettuce need?

It's rated for medium–high light. Growers often disagree on light, so this is the full range across our sources.

Does Water lettuce need CO₂?

No. Its sources rate its CO₂ need as low, and it grows without injection.

Which fish eat Water lettuce?

In our database, Convict Cichlid, Common Pleco, Common / Comet Goldfish, Clown Loach, Tinfoil Barb, Buenos Aires Tetra, Kissing Gourami, Yoyo Loach, Fancy Goldfish are flagged as eating live plants. Tough-leaved anubias usually hold up better.

Is Water lettuce legal to buy?

It's on prohibited or restricted lists in Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, South Carolina and Michigan. California rates it a noxious weed. Never release it outdoors.

Gear for Water lettuce

PlantLive Water lettuce. Compare sellers and pot sizes.Find on Amazon →LightA planted-tank LED. Water lettuce needs at least medium light.Find on Amazon →FertilizerA liquid fertilizer for plants that feed from the water.Find on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, AquariumSetup earns from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon search results so you can compare current options.

Related guides

Beginner aquarium plantsPlanted tank lightsLiquid ferts vs root tabsTrimming & propagation

Sources

Values come from these pages, in our own words. Where growers disagree, we show the full range. Last reviewed 2026-10-17.