It also occurs attached to the substrate in lakes and as floating masses in still water, and may be cast up on beaches at the waterside.

[5] It thrives in shady positions and prefers acid water, a pH of around 8.4 being the maximum tolerated.

[5] It is replaced in highly acid mountain and moorland streams in the UK by Fontinalis squamosa.

[7] F. antipyretica grows in large clumps and mats and provides refuge for fish eggs and fry.

The biosorption of cadmium was unaffected by the hardness of the water but that of zinc was affected by rising calcium levels.