chem
Nov 30th 2008, 09:39 PM
565
Aquatic mosses are being discovered and introduced to the hobby on a regular
basis. One of the ones that I really like is Fissidens fontanus; the particular species I have is U.S. Fissidens.
This moss is slow growing even with high light and CO2 injection. I have found
it interesting however that its growth rate is not significantly different whether it is in a high tech setup or simply in a separate container off to the side of my tanks. The primary difference appears to be color, high light and CO2 injection will bring out a much lighter green appearance. Temperatures, within reason, do not seem to have a significant impact either.
I first acquired this moss from a fellow hobbyist in B.C. and paid $12 for 40
leaves; each single leaf was one half the size of the nail on your small finger. Since that time it has become more widespread in the hobby and can be picked up on US aquatic sites for around $15-$20 for a golf ball sized portion.
It is recommended to initially tie the pieces to driftwood or a porous rock with
sewing thread. After a period of a month or two rhizoids will begin to anchor the moss to the wood or rock and essentially become maintenance free.
Cherry and Amano shrimp will be immediately attracted to this moss when
introduced to the tank. My Amano shrimp spend most of their day tending to and
"fiddling around" with the moss. In fact I strongly suggest that shrimp be kept with Fissidens because it is prone to the build-up of thread/hair algae. Spot treatment with Flourish Excel is not advised because the moss will react adversely to it and die off; unfortunately I had this experience and almost lost my entire sample a few weeks after receiving it.
If one is looking for species to replicate a bog or aged environment this is
definitely a species to consider. When taking into consideration the aquascape of such an environment, do not underestimate the slow growth of this moss.
Aquatic mosses are being discovered and introduced to the hobby on a regular
basis. One of the ones that I really like is Fissidens fontanus; the particular species I have is U.S. Fissidens.
This moss is slow growing even with high light and CO2 injection. I have found
it interesting however that its growth rate is not significantly different whether it is in a high tech setup or simply in a separate container off to the side of my tanks. The primary difference appears to be color, high light and CO2 injection will bring out a much lighter green appearance. Temperatures, within reason, do not seem to have a significant impact either.
I first acquired this moss from a fellow hobbyist in B.C. and paid $12 for 40
leaves; each single leaf was one half the size of the nail on your small finger. Since that time it has become more widespread in the hobby and can be picked up on US aquatic sites for around $15-$20 for a golf ball sized portion.
It is recommended to initially tie the pieces to driftwood or a porous rock with
sewing thread. After a period of a month or two rhizoids will begin to anchor the moss to the wood or rock and essentially become maintenance free.
Cherry and Amano shrimp will be immediately attracted to this moss when
introduced to the tank. My Amano shrimp spend most of their day tending to and
"fiddling around" with the moss. In fact I strongly suggest that shrimp be kept with Fissidens because it is prone to the build-up of thread/hair algae. Spot treatment with Flourish Excel is not advised because the moss will react adversely to it and die off; unfortunately I had this experience and almost lost my entire sample a few weeks after receiving it.
If one is looking for species to replicate a bog or aged environment this is
definitely a species to consider. When taking into consideration the aquascape of such an environment, do not underestimate the slow growth of this moss.