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Common Name- Java moss
Water Conditions- Approx. 70 - 80
degrees, Some water movement, good water quality.
Known for being very salt tolerant.
pH- Tolerates most
pH conditions (5.0 - 8.0)
Light- this plant does best with
moderate to strong light.
Size- This plant will grow to fill its
environment.
Cultivation- With good light and water
quality, this is a prolific plant. Must be
thinned occasionally.
This is possibly
the best plant in the hobby for hiding fry and providing
infusoria for just about any species,
especially the tiny egg layers. It is prolific, not so
dense that fish will get caught in it (But it does happen if
allowed to get too dense), and it provides immediate
security for any fish. Sprigs of this are put in with Killiefish
eggs, as the infusoria and oxygenation provides a good
head start for new fry. Bare bottom 5 and 10 gallon breeding
tanks are moderately filled with Java moss before
gravid livebearer females are released to have their fry- who
quickly
disappear into the the java moss, safe from predation
as soon as they are born.
However, when allowed to cover the bottom of an
aquarium, for example, mulm will collect beneath it, and the
bottom
side of the Java moss mat will gradually die. Because
it is so prolific, this can happen in just a couple weeks,
causing water quality problems. It is a perfect plant
for the ideal environment for eggs and fry before the adults are
removed, and excellent for providing microorganisms for
fry to feed upon, as well as helping with water quality.
No other plant does what Java Moss does, as
effectively. Najas grass and riccia can come close, but the fact
that
Java moss will live at all levels in the aquarium adds to its
list of positives. lastly, It does not seem to be eaten
by fish that are generally plant eaters.
It does not root itself and can be placed anywhere,
though it will generally sink. With maintenance to keep it under
control it is very undemanding and hardy. When
thinning, you also need to remove stray strands from growing
over other
plants, as it will cover and eventually smother other
plants if allowed!
It is also mildly salt tolerant, and
will grow quickly with moderate to strong light.
All of the tanks
here are also treated with
Rapid Grow Aquarium Plant fertilizer, assuring
maximum growth.
See
other Care Guides Here
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