Salvinia Minima

🌿 Salvinia minima — Water Spangles

Free-floating aquatic fern used for surface coverage and nutrient control

📝 Overview

• Common Names: Water spangles, floating fern, water moss
• Scientific Name: Salvinia minima
• Type: Floating fern (free-floating)
• Origin: Central and South America
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Lighting Needs: Moderate to high
• Placement: Surface of the tank or pond

🌱 Care & Maintenance

• Tank Size: Any size; spreads rapidly across the surface
• Water Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
• pH Range: 6.0–7.5
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water

🌞 Light & Growth

• Thrives under bright, indirect light or natural sunlight.
• High light promotes dense, lush leaf growth and faster nutrient absorption.

🍽️ Nutrient Needs

• Benefits from nutrient-rich water (e.g., fish waste)
• Can grow explosively in tanks with excess nitrates or phosphates
• May require thinning to prevent light blockage to submerged plants

🌊 Water Movement

• Prefers calm water or areas with minimal surface agitation
• Strong surface current may damage or push it into filter intakes

🧼 Benefits

• Natural nitrate and phosphate remover
• Offers shade and cover for fry, shrimp, and shy fish
• Reduces algae by blocking excess light

⚠️ Things to Watch

• Overgrowth: Can block light for submerged plants
• Filter Clogs: May get pulled into HOB or canister intakes—use pre-filter sponge
• Humidity: In open-top tanks, floating plants can boost humidity for riparium setups

🧪 Propagation

• Self-propagating via runners and division
• Remove excess with a net or by hand; easy to transfer between tanks