Licia characteristics and how to grow

Licia is one of the floating plants belonging to the family of the Zeniophyceae, the family of the Bryophyceae. It is originally grown to float like a floating plant, but in aquariums, it is often grown underwater. It is also known as "deer horn moss" because it grows in a Y-shape like a deer's horn. In this article, we will explain the characteristics of Licia and how to grow them.

What is Licia?

Licia is a floating plant that belongs to the family of the mosses, family Coccolithaceae. It is usually kept floating like a floating plant, but in aquariums, it is often grown underwater. Licia can be rooted and submerged by attaching them to a stone or driftwood called a lithia stone with sewing thread. The main reason for keeping them underwater is that they can create beautiful air bubbles.The bubbles generated by lights and other light sources reflect and sparkle. Licia has another name, "deer antler moss," because it grows in a Y shape like a deer's antlers, and some specialty stores use these names.

How to Grow Licia

Licia are often kept by fixing them to stones or driftwood, as mentioned above. However, it takes about one to three weeks for them to become established. During this time, they may float or the strings that have been tied may become loose, so care is required. Licia go into floating plants that are easy to keep. They prefer a water temperature of around 20-26℃. As for water quality, mildly acidic to neutral is suitable.Regarding light intensity, it is better to have them be careful when keeping them in a place where they are exposed to sunlight for a couple of hours, as this is more important for promoting growth and stabilizing coloration. Carbon dioxide (CO2) may also be added to the lyssia to promote growth. Carbon dioxide (CO2) should be placed in a separate tank for living organisms, etc., as there is a risk of acid deprivation by adding it.

Caring for Licia

Licia can become voluminous as they grow, so be sure to cut them to match their height. Do not throw away the cut parts as they can grow and multiply if they are placed in another tank. Licia are well known for their tendency to be covered with moss. Therefore, please remove moss when it is attached.Note that if moss is left attached, it may not absorb light well and slow down the growth rate. If it is troublesome to remove moss, keeping "southern shrimp" or "Yamato shrimp" together will be helpful, as they will eat the moss.

How to increase lithia

As a way to increase the number of lysias, you can put cut parts of lysias in a separate aquarium when caring for them, so they can grow and increase. However, if you leave them in the tank as they are, they will grow separately and it may be troublesome to collect them when you try to fix them to driftwood, etc. We recommend that you put a net in the tank so that they will naturally gather in the net and you do not need to spend time and effort on them.

Creatures and Lycia

Licia will be the recommended water plant for those who keep living creatures. It is especially suited for those who keep small fish (such as killifish). Be careful with large species, as they may eat the lyssia as food and lose it before it can be fixed.Licia can also be used as a hiding place for killifish and other small fish. Licia can be placed in the foreground and in the background of the aquarium. It can also be placed between aquatic plants to fill in gaps and make them look more beautiful. If you have several types of aquatic plants and are looking for a different type of aquatic plant, this is a good choice.