High Quality Water Spangles (Salvinia Natans) - Shrimp Safe Floating Plant

Water Spangles (Salvinia Natans) are an essential floating fern for any natural aquarium. These plants are prized for their unique, textured leaves and their ability to provide excellent surface cover. As a fast-growing floater, they are incredible at absorbing excess nitrates and nutrients from the water column, helping to prevent algae growth and maintaining a healthy biological balance within your tank.

Grown with Care and 100% Shrimp Safe

Our Water Spangles are grown in our own natural, home-based ecosystems alongside our high-grade Neocaridina colonies. Unlike mass-produced plants that may be treated with harmful pesticides or copper, ours are 100% shrimp and snail safe. Because they are grown in established tanks scaped with premium Tropica plants and maintained with Hygger filtration, you can be certain you are receiving clean, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in your aquarium from the moment they arrive.

Natural Cover and Nutrient Export

The trailing root systems of Salvinia Natans provide the perfect natural environment for shrimp and fry to hide and graze on biofilm. In a high-light setup, these plants create beautiful dappled shade, which can help reduce stress for more sensitive inhabitants and prevent lower-level plants from being overwhelmed by direct light. They are a low-maintenance addition to any setup and do not require CO2 to grow rapidly.

Listing Information

This listing is for a generous portion of High-Grade Water Spangles. Every portion is hand-selected from our maturation ecosystems to ensure you receive healthy, green, and vibrant specimens. We take great care in packaging our plants to ensure they arrive in peak condition.

Beginner Care & Helpful Information

Nutrient Export and Algae Control
Because Salvinia natans grows quickly, it is one of the best tools for maintaining water quality. It aggressively absorbs nitrates and phosphates, which are the primary fuel for nuisance algae. If the plants begin to cover the entire surface, simply scoop out the excess to "export" those nutrients from your system, ensuring your water remains pristine.

Water Flow and Surface Agitation
While Water Spangles are hardy, they do not like to be submerged or tossed around in heavy surface agitation. Constant water on the top of the leaves can cause them to rot. For the best results, keep them in areas of low to moderate flow. If you have a high-flow filter, using a simple "floating ring" can help keep them settled in one area of the tank.

Lighting and Growth
These plants thrive under moderate to high lighting. Under strong lights, the leaves will develop a lush, vibrant green and the plant will produce new "pups" rapidly. They do not require CO2 supplementation to grow, making them perfect for low-tech and high-tech setups alike.

Biofilm and Fry Protection
The "hairy" roots of Salvinia are a magnet for microscopic organisms and biofilm. This makes them a vital addition to breeding tanks, as newly hatched shrimp and fish fry will instinctively hide in the roots to find safety and an immediate source of food that is available 24/7.

Recommended Conditions

• Lighting: Moderate to High (Faster growth in high light)
• Temperature: 12°C – 30°C
• pH: 6.0 – 8.0
• Water Flow: Low to Moderate (Floating plants prefer calmer surfaces)
• Nutrient Level: High nitrate absorption capabilities