Riccardia graeffei

jamesstill84

Curiosity salted the snail!
Jan 2, 2009
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Winchester, Kentucky
Anyone on here have any Riccardia graeffei? I'm curious to know what it's growth rate is, lighting requirements, and whether it requires CO2. I just saw the plant on shrimpnow and had never heard of it. It's really beautiful!
 
I've had no problems growing this plant in a veeery low tech tank. CO2 most certainly improves growth rate, but IMO, the biggest factor for success is cooler temps and a stable tank. This is one that would do much better in low light low nutrient setups as it is very easily overtaken by algae, and given its small size and brittle nature, extricating said algae manually without destroying the plant can be a really difficult task
 
I've had no problems growing this plant in a veeery low tech tank. CO2 most certainly improves growth rate, but IMO, the biggest factor for success is cooler temps and a stable tank. This is one that would do much better in low light low nutrient setups as it is very easily overtaken by algae, and given its small size and brittle nature, extricating said algae manually without destroying the plant can be a really difficult task

Is it as fragile as Riccia Fluitans? You touch it and it breaks off...
 
i don't know if there is a debate here on scientific names, or if there are several different plants being called mini pellia. seems either is quite possible at this time. from what i see though it also can come from hawaii. i have mini pellia in my tank and the following link helped me identify it: http://www.theteh.com/html/mini_pellia_coral_moss.html

this is also from 2007 and maybe they just renamed it for classification purposes... idk. notice he uses the name riccardia chamedryfolia. i can say it is very very easy to grow in my tank which is very low tech. it does however grow very very slow! it does not break off as soon as you touch it but it is pretty fragile it seems as it's very tiny, thin and has no veins in its leaves. i would worry about manual removal of algae though... that would probably about destroy it.
 
I have seen it called Mini Pelia as well. I may have to wait to get some, so I can make sure I have a specific place for it so I don't ruin it by moving it multiple times.
 
I have seen it called Mini Pelia as well. I may have to wait to get some, so I can make sure I have a specific place for it so I don't ruin it by moving it multiple times.

i would not worry about moving this plant at all... especially if you have something to attach it to that can be moved. and by all means if you want it noticeable without spending a fortune do not wait... it really grows slow. i had to un-tangle most of mine out of a java moss mess and it bothered it not one bit. i would be afraid of trying to wipe things off of it's fronds, but moving seems to have absolutely no side effects. i must admit though i have not tried to remove it from a rock or wood it was rooted... scratch that, attached to but don't think that would be an issue honestly.

anyone disagree? i would like to here myself if so. like i've said before i didn't even know i had it till recently.
 
Does it seem to look better on rock or driftwood?
 
i've read it grows better on driftwood but mine is on rock. as for looks i'd assume that'd be wood also, but suspect that to be a matter of opinion or setup.
 
I can't wait to get some! :D Thanks for all your help!
 
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