However, discoloration is a sign of improper lighting. Yellowing is typically a sign of too much direct sun, so make adjustments as needed. Dwarf water lettuce and Pistia Stratiotes are often used interchangeably, but they are two different aquatic plants. Both plants are members of the Pistia family. Still, Pistia stratiotes has larger leaves and develops into a larger plant, while Pistia Stratiotes develops into a smaller plant. This plant is considered to be one of the best plants for the shrimp tank. Read more about it in my article “Top 5 Plants for Your Shrimp Tank” and “ Top 5 Pros and Cons of having Plants in Shrimp Aquarium”. It is possible to keep any shrimp species with it. It also doesn’t hurt that it requires low-to-no fertilization and can thrive even in the absence of CO2 injections. You can add improved water oxygenation on top of everything else, which is something that comes naturally with all live plants. Importance of Maintaining Floating Plants

In Aquariums, you could use water lettuce to help the nitrogen cycle as it consumes decomposition elements. The Nitrogen cycle ensures the aquarium’s ecosystem is safe for fish to live. It’s common for beginners to miss this (known as new tank syndrome). Dwarf water lettuce does not need CO2 (carbon dioxide). Because leaves are above the water at all times this plant will get its CO2 directly from the air and there is no need to inject CO2 in the water. Lighting It’s also worth noting that the dwarf water lettuce ranks as an amazing ammonia and nitrite consumer. The less flow you have in your tank the bigger Dwarf Water Lettuce will get. So, if you want to keep them small, it is best kept in an aquarium with gentle water flow. I will repeat – the gentle flow.

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Live plants are always great for both open and closed aquatic ecosystems. So, what benefits should you expect from your floating plants? As you remove the new daughter plants from the bed, it will help in promoting additional growth of the plant. Moreover, this is regarded as an ideal condition for propagating the plant. While removing the small, daughter plants is beneficial, when you get rid of the larger plants, it will shun the overall growth. This turns out helpful when you wish to minimize the overall task of taking care and maintaining the growth. If you see that the roots of the plants are too long (reach the bottom of the tank or tangle up in other plants, decorations, filter, etc.), you can pull them out every 2 – 3 weeks and cut them off. Leave about 10 cm (4 inches) of roots. Do not worry, Dwarf Water Lettuce will survive. Planting Dwarf Water Lettuce Water Lettuce is increasingly gaining the impetus of being the topmost choice of homeowners or aquarists who prefer using the water plant as a popular option for aquascaping. The plant is known to add a perfect mixture of interesting color, appearance, and texture to the mixed plant groupings in ponds and aquariums. Once again people often forget that this is a tropical aquatic plant. Ideally, Dwarf Water Lettuce needs high humidity (70 or more). Therefore, you need to partially close your aquarium with a lid. Care & Maintenance of Dwarf Water Lettuce

Dwarf water lettuce: A smaller version of common water lettuce, growing to about 4 inches in width. Water lettuce needs at least 11-12 hrs of light to flourish but make sure to introduce the light gradually when you buy it to avoid burned leaves. Maintenance The water requirements are standard. Go for water temperatures between 72 and 86 F and a pH level of 6.0 to 7.5. If you’re keeping the tank in a dry room, cover the tank with a lid to keep the humidity necessary for the water lettuce. If you’re keeping the plant in an aquarium, make sure the top has enough holes for the oxygen to get in so your fish won’t die, or insert an air pump device. Water ParametersWater lettuce and its dense, hairy roots are known to provide a heavenly shelter for the fish and shrimps around. The hanging roots of the plant help in providing protection to spawn and other smaller fish varieties. To top it all, water lettuce is renowned to be compatible with most fish species. At the same time, it is recommended to refrain from growing these plants in an aquarium having Goldfish or other herbivore fish as these will consume its edible roots.