background plant · medium

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

Ceratopteris thalictroides typically grows 5.9–12 in tall (15–30 cm) and grows in the background of a tank. It's rated for medium–high light, and injected CO₂ is helps, but sources disagree on whether it's needed. Temperature 64–86°F, pH 5–8.

Try it in the tank builder See which fish eat it

How tall it grows

Each bar is roughly the water depth a tank leaves above the substrate. The teal band is the plant's reported height range. ✓ fits, trim means it can reach the surface, ✕ means it typically outgrows the water.

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Quick facts

Grows to: 5.9–12 in (15–30 cm)
Height basis: Tropica 2-month avg (listed 15-30+)
Where it goes: floating, midground, background
Light: medium–high light
Injected CO₂: helps
Growth: fast
Difficulty: medium
Temperature: 64–86°F
pH: 5–8
Hardness: 0–30 dGH
Feeds through: not published
Also sold as: Water sprite; Sumatra fern; Indian fern; Fine leaf Indian fern

Planting tip: Keep the crown above the substrate, or float it until roots form.

Fish and Water sprite

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 (6)

Different water (0)

Every fish shares some temperature and pH range with it.

Fish that leave it alone and share its water (95)

Pearl Gourami Angelfish German Blue Ram Bolivian Ram Kribensis Electric Yellow Lab Bronze Cory Panda Cory Pygmy Cory Julii Cory Bristlenose Pleco Otocinclus Kuhli Loach Hillstream Loach Siamese Algae Eater Cherry Shrimp Amano Shrimp Nerite Snail Mystery Snail Glowlight Tetra Lemon Tetra Congo Tetra Black Neon Tetra Chili Rasbora Boesemani Rainbowfish Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish African Dwarf Frog Pea Puffer Ghost Shrimp Iridescent Shark Bala Shark Red-Tail Shark Rainbow Shark Chinese Algae Eater Neon Tetra Cardinal Tetra Black Skirt Tetra Serpae Tetra Rummy-nose Tetra Ember Tetra Harlequin Rasbora Zebra Danio Celestial Pearl Danio White Cloud Mountain Minnow Cherry Barb Tiger Barb Guppy Endler's Livebearer Molly Platy Swordtail Betta Dwarf Gourami Honey Gourami Head-and-tail-light Tetra Bleeding Heart Tetra Diamond Tetra Silver Tip Tetra Pristella Tetra Penguin Tetra Silver Hatchetfish Marbled Hatchetfish Lambchop Rasbora Pearl Danio Giant Danio Scissortail Rasbora Gold Barb Rosy Barb Odessa Barb Denison Barb Variatus Platy Three-spot Gourami Moonlight Gourami Sparkling Gourami Paradise Fish Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid Firemouth Cichlid Discus Blood Parrot Cichlid Peppered Cory Sterbai Cory Clown Pleco Pictus Catfish Glass Catfish Upside-down Catfish Weather Loach Forktail Blue-eye Clown Killifish Bumblebee Goby Crystal Red Shrimp Bamboo Shrimp Ramshorn Snail Malaysian Trumpet Snail Assassin Snail Japanese Trapdoor Snail

Common questions

How tall does Water sprite grow?

Growers report about 5.9–12 in (15–30 cm). Basis: Tropica 2-month avg (listed 15-30+).

How much light does Water sprite need?

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

Does Water sprite need CO₂?

It isn't strictly required, but sources disagree and some recommend injected CO₂ for best growth.

Which fish eat Water sprite?

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.

Gear for Water sprite

PlantLive Water sprite. Compare sellers and pot sizes.Find on Amazon →LightA planted-tank LED. Water sprite needs at least medium light.Find on Amazon →

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

Sources

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

tropica.com /en/plants/plantdetails/4405/4405
aquasabi.com /Ceratopteris-thalictroides
flowgrow.de /db/aquaticplants/ceratopteris-thalictroides