Java moss

Taxobox
name = Java Moss

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image_width = 200px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Bryophyta
classis = Bryopsida
subclassis = Bryidae
ordo = Hypnales
familia = Hypnaceae
genus = see text
species = see text

Java Moss is a moss belonging to the Hypnaceae family. Native to Southeast Asia, it is commonly used in freshwater aquariums. It attaches to rocks, roots, and driftwood. The taxonomy of this well-known plant is not resolved; formerly placed in the genus "Versicularia" as "V. dubyana" (Brotherus, 1908), it appears as if the plant usually known as java moss belongs into "Taxiphyllum", as "T. barbieri" [Roberts (2007)] .

Java Moss does not require any special attention. It accepts all kind of waters, even weakly brackish, and all kind of light qualities. It grows best at 70-75 degrees fahrenheit (21-23.8 degrees celcius), but can live in temperatures of up to 85-90 degrees F (29-32 degrees C). It is a low light plant and makes a great foreground plant. In aquariums you should plant it somewhere where there is good water current because debris gets stuck on it easily and gives it a brown fuzzy appearance. Due to its clinging nature Java Moss can also be made into a moss wall. This can be accomplished by folding a net and spreading the moss evenly across it. Then, the net can be secured together by polyester strings, and held on the aquarium wall by using suction cups. It is a slow starter until it has established itself.

It is especially popular among aquarists raising fry (baby fish) and tadpoles, to protect them from cannibalistic adults. Java Moss can also provide food for the newly formed fry, which can be challenging to feed. Some shrimp like to tear the miniature leaves on it to eat.

Java Moss can be easily propagated via division. It is suitable for both aquariums and vivariums.

Footnotes

References

* (2007): The "Celestial pearl danio", a new genus and species of colourful minute cyprinid fish from Myanmar (Pisces: Cypriniformes). "Raffles Bulletin of Zoology" 55(1): 131-140. [http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/55/55rbz131-140.pdf PDF fulltext]