TankBud

Süsswassertang

Lomariopsis cf. lineata

Also known as Subwassertang, Round pellia, Freshwater seaweed, Lomariopsis lineata

FreshwaterMossDivision

Süsswassertang (Lomariopsis cf. lineata)
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
No CO₂ needed
Temperature
64–82°F
18–28°C
Max height
2 in
5 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Epiphyte
Type
Moss
pH
5.0–7.5
Hardness
0–8 dGH
Spread
5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Water column
Growth region
Submersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Lomariopsidaceae
Origin
Tropical Southeast Asia (exact wild origin uncertain; all aquarium stock is thought to descend from a single clone discovered in cultivation around 2001)

Overview

Süsswassertang is an undemanding, shade-tolerant plant for low-tech tanks, grown on wood and stone instead of in the substrate.

Did you know

Süsswassertang is one of the very few aquarium plants that is a fern gametophyte. In a normal fern, that life stage is a tiny, short-lived, heart-shaped scrap. Here it grows indefinitely without ever maturing into a leafy fern.

Caring for Süsswassertang

Süsswassertang does not root, so wedge it into driftwood crevices or tie it to wood or stone and let it secure itself. It forms loose, lettuce-like, translucent green clumps that drape over the hardscape. Loose clumps left free also work as cover for shrimp and fry.

Low to moderate light suits it, and no CO2 is needed. It feeds from the water, so a liquid fertilizer is the way to feed it. Strong flow tears off and scatters pieces, so keep it in calmer water.

Growth is slow, so it rarely needs trimming. To propagate it, pull a clump apart into smaller pieces and tie each one down. It does well at 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C).

Good to know

Süsswassertang was long assumed to be a liverwort. A 2009 molecular study showed it is the gametophyte, the haploid leafy stage, of a fern most closely related to Lomariopsis lineata. Attempts to make it produce a sporophyte have failed. That uncertainty is why it is often written as Lomariopsis cf. lineata.

In the wild

Süsswassertang has no known wild source. All aquarium plants are believed to be clones of a single specimen that botanist Christel Kasselmann found growing in cultivation around 2001. It is most closely linked to a tropical Southeast Asian fern.

Common questions

Does Süsswassertang need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Süsswassertang grows on rock or wood rather than in the substrate. Tie it on with cotton thread or fishing line, or use gel superglue, until it anchors itself.

Does Süsswassertang need CO2?

No. Süsswassertang grows well without added CO2 and suits a low-tech tank.

How much light does Süsswassertang need?

Süsswassertang is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.

How do you propagate Süsswassertang?

Süsswassertang propagates by division. Pull a clump apart into smaller pieces and tie each one down.

How tall does Süsswassertang grow?

Süsswassertang grows to about 2 in (5 cm) tall. It grows slowly.

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