There is pretty much an endless list of mosses you can grow in your aquarium. Among those, Java moss is probably one of the most popular aquarium plants. Native to Southeast Asia, it’s commonly found on rocks, riverbanks, and forest floors.
When it comes to the hobby, many choose Java moss for their freshwater tanks. Thanks to its low maintenance and simple tank requirements, they’re very easy to grow. This plant is also hard to kill, which makes it perfect for beginners.
You can use this very versatile moss to create a natural and lively look in your aquarium. Today, we will be diving deep into everything you want to know about Java moss!
Table of Contents
Overview
Before anything, let us give you a brief overview of Java moss, or scientifically known as Taxiphyllum Barbieri. This plant species generally grows in irregular patterns and has minuscule leaves of around 2mm. The stem itself can grow between 3 to 10 inches in length. Older growth also tends to get a darker shade of green.
One of the reasons why Taxiphyllum is so popular is its lack of roots. Instead, they have rhizoids that stick to surfaces, while taking up nutrients and water directly from their stems and leaves.
These rhizoids allow them to stick in any part of an aquarium, which means they can also grow without substrate. For example, this type of moss can attach to gravel, rocks, and driftwood.
Very Versatile Aquarium Plant
A lot of freshwater tank owners use Java moss for a range of reasons. Here are a few of them.
For Trees and Carpeting
First, Java moss is highly regarded for its aesthetic values. Its soft features are especially useful to counter any harsh elements in a tank, by growing them on walls, floors, or even water filters.
You can build plastic grids on the bottom of an aquarium and let moss stem grow through these. Eventually, Taxiphyllum will take over and fill the grids in, creating a lush and lovely green carpet for your tank. Do the same thing to create a wall of moss.
One thing we love doing is growing Java moss “trees”. By that, all we mean are driftwoods that look like trees because of the moss that grows out over them. This will create a natural landscape in your aquarium!
Perfect For Aquascaping
Aquascaping is a hobby that is continuously getting plenty of interest, which involves the arrangement of aquatic plants, driftwood, and stones. In a nutshell, it is like underwater gardening. This is perhaps how Java moss is used most of the time.
Essential For Breeders
If you have a breeder tank, then adding Java moss could be a great idea. This is because moss offers a hiding spot where eggs can attach to. Shrimps also like to hide and dwell among Java Moss.
It’s also an ideal shelter for fry and can help them feel safer, away from larger fishes. In addition, infusoria can thrive on Java moss, which is the perfect food to sustain fry.
Tank Requirements and Maintenance
The good news is that anyone can grow and maintain Java moss in their tank, including beginners! That is because Java moss isn’t a fussy plant species. Regardless, here are a few things you still need to know about them.
Tank Requirements
First, you should know that Java moss is extremely strong and versatile, which allows them to thrive in most water conditions.
If you are looking to set up an environment that is ideal for Java moss, the most important requirements are a decent water current, soft acid water, and 21-24 C water.
On the upside, this type of moss will be able to survive in waters up to 30 C. But Java moss will grow faster in cooler fasters, as well as look healthier and more vibrant.
In terms of lighting, there really is no need to stress. It can grow in a dark or bright water tank, although the resulting moss may appear slightly different. Low light will give a darker colored plant, while high light can provide a denser growth. More light also triggers faster growth, while at the same time prompting algae to grow.
Java moss will grow just fine without CO2 or fertilizers, although they may grow faster with these supplements. It really is the perfect plant choice, even for tanks with the most minimal technology features.
Finally, the Taxiphyllum Barbieri is also suitable for aquariums with almost any fish species. Versatile, indeed!
Maintenance
Again, maintaining Java moss is as easy as setting them up. You can even adapt this to suit your personal preferences and how much time you can spare to maintain them each week.
It is possible to just allow your Java moss to grow rampant and take any shape they want. All you need is to trim them whenever they grow too wild or messy. Remember to do this every once in a while, or they might take up the entire tank!
On the other hand, you can trim the moss regularly to maintain particular shapes or patterns. Any scissors would suffice for trimming Java moss. Doing this regularly can ensure neat growth too.
Another thing to note is that detritus may get stuck in the moss, particularly if your tank has a weaker flow. You can either rinse moss-covered driftwood outside of the tank or siphon this waste out of the moss.
There really is nothing much you can do to ensure healthy growth other than these small things. We said that Java moss is a beginner-friendly aquarium plant, and it can’t get any more accurate than that!
It’s actually important to just leave your Java moss and let it do its thing. Try your best not to touch or move it around. Simply let it be, and your Taxiphyllum will thrive.
Common Problems with Java Moss
We’ve only ever said good things about Java moss so far, but unfortunately, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have their own problems. To keep your tank as clean and healthy as possible, you should understand the most common issues you might face.
Some people are known to use Java moss to cover up the unnatural look of filters. That’s fine, as long as you do it carefully. Keep it trimmed and thin so the moss doesn’t clog up the filter.
You should also keep an eye on your tank so that it will not be covered by your moss. This includes “balls” of moss, in which the inner sections could turn brown if it doesn’t have access to enough freshwater.
However, the most serious problem your Java moss can face is algae. This is even more prevalent in intensely bright tanks. Excessive light can trigger algae to grow quickly, and they’re hard to remove once they cling to the moss. Often, the best thing to do at this point is to remove the moss and let them regrow.
If the algae growth isn’t too prevalent yet, you can try gently brushing the algae off using a toothbrush. You may also use special liquid carbon substances for spot treatment. While this is a good temporary solution, we recommend immediately removing any algae-ridden moss.
Keeping certain tiny species like cherry and Amanos shrimps can be useful, as they can eat algae that are inside the moss. So, how do you control and prevent the growth of algae?
All you need to do is keep a balance of light, carbon dioxide, and nutrients for the plant. Moreover, make sure that the tank water is always clean and healthy. Of course, small amounts of algae is only natural, and may even be healthy for the mini-ecosystem.
How to Grow Java Moss in Your Aquarium
Java moss is quite simple to grow. Here’s how!
Java Moss Bonsai Trees
As we have said before, Java moss can stick and attach themselves to almost any surface. This means you can make your own trees inside your tank for a truly unique and natural feel.
Choose driftwood that can be set up vertically. The more it already resembles a tree, the better. You can find ones that already have branch-like structures or tie together several branches of wood for your desired shape.
Then, simply use aquarium-safe glue to attach some Java moss onto it. Be careful not to dry it out, especially if you have taken the moss from your own tank. Trim any excess or stringy mosses for a neat tree shape.
Put your brand-new moss tree inside the aquarium and you’re all set! You can repeat these steps a few times to create a number of trees in the mid or background.
Java Moss For Carpeting
Other than the tree, Java moss is especially popular for carpeting or covering the walls of an aquarium.
For carpeting, prepare two meshes and a non-toxic thread. Place the first piece after covering it with Java moss and using the thread to tie the second piece on top of it. This will form a “sandwich” with the moss in between.
Slowly, this moss will grow through the gaps and fill out the spaces to create a pretty bed of luscious greenery. You can place this on the bottom of your tank or even securing it to the walls.
It could also be a good idea to layer some gravel over the carpet as a sort of weight.
Should You Grow Java Moss?
The most important question remains: is Java moss the right plant for your aquarium? At the end of the day, each tank is unique and only you can know what’s best.
We would like to say, however, this moss species is probably great for almost all aquariums. It’s beginner-friendly and can help manage the nutrient levels inside. Not to mention that it looks beautiful for carpeting and creating “trees” too!
It is suitable for low-budget tanks as Java moss does not need special lighting, CO2 supplements, or additional fertilization.
Moreover, the fact that it requires minimal maintenance alone should be enough to convince you. Java moss is also compatible with almost all species of fish and aquarium creatures.
Conclusion
All in all, we can say that Taxiphyllum Barbieri moss may be the answer you have been looking for. Its varied use covers anything from aesthetic values to providing shelter for fry.
It’s easy to grow and almost impossible to kill, making it perfect even for first-time aquarium owners. Problems like algae growth can be expected, but this truly is nothing to worry about.
If you decide to get Java moss for your tank, the only thing to remember is to keep it trimmed and in check. We wish you the best of luck!
