Floating antler fern (Ceratopteris pteridoides) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Floating antler fern, Ceratopteris lockhartii, Parkeria pteridoides
Family
Pteridaceae (brake fern family)
Origin
Tropical and subtropical Americas, the Indian subcontinent, central and eastern China and Vietnam
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
120 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Medium to bright light; CO2 not needed
Flow
Gentle; floating plants dislike strong surface flow

Care

The floating antler fern is a short-lived perennial water fern that floats at the surface. Large plants can spread to about 1.2 m across, though aquarium plants stay much smaller. Our sources give little aquarium detail, but it is closely related to water sprite and is treated in the same way: let it float in a tank with a covered top and gentle surface movement, and remove extra plants so they do not shade everything beneath. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratopterispteridoides); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Like other water ferns it produces small plantlets on the fronds, which grow into new floating plants.

Compatibility and tank mates

Gives shade and cover to fry, labyrinth fish and shy species. Plant-eating fish and goldfish may nibble the fronds.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.