Wild AI
PLANT OVERVIEW
About Fairy Moss
A tiny, fast-growing floating fern that can turn red under high light.
Azolla is one of the smallest floating plants. It forms a dense mat on the surface and fixes its own nitrogen from the air.
Floating · Beginner friendly
Fairy Moss
Azolla caroliniana
1 / 5
DIFFICULTY
Easy
A forgiving choice for newer planted tanks.
LIGHT
Moderate
Around 10 hours is a useful starting point.
CO₂
Optional
Injection is not normally necessary.
GROWTH
Fast
High trimming needs.
CARE PROFILE
What this plant needs.
The useful numbers and practical notes, grouped around how you actually keep the plant.
TANK FIT
Placement + size
Primary placementFloating
Typical height0.2–0.5 in
Typical width0.5 in
Suggested minimum tank2 gal
Suggested tank height2.5 in+
LIGHT + CO₂
Energy demand
Ideal lightModerate
Photoperiod range8–12 hr
Approx. PAR20–100
Injected CO₂Optional
CO₂ benefitVery Low
NUTRITION
Where it feeds
Root feedingVery Low
Water-column feedingVery High
Overall fertilizer demandModerate
Iron demandLow
MicronutrientsLow
WATER
Useful parameter range
Temperature68–82°F
pH6–7.5
GH2–15 dGH
KH2–12 dKH
How to plant it.
Substrate: None
Float on surface.
What to expect after planting.
Propagation
Division
Acclimation
Very hardy.
What usually goes wrong.
Can completely cover the surface if not thinned.
KEEP EXPLORING
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