Java Moss, Taxiphyllum barbieri, is probably the best known and most widely used moss in the aquarium world. It is a wonderful plant for spawning fish and for fry to hide in, as well as a decorative accent in the tank. It is also one of the easiest mosses to grow in the aquarium, requiring only the most modest conditions to grow well. To propagate most quickly, cut the strands up with scissors, as it will reproduce at both ends of each strand.

This plant was, for years, thought to be Vesicularia dubyana and the story of how these mosses got confused and the tangled web of names is complicated. In Europe, the common name for this plant is “Bogor Moss” For those interested, there is a good explanation on this web site: https://www.flowgrow.de/db/aquaticplants/taxiphyllum-barbieri

Common Name:      Java moss

Family Name:           Hypnaceae

Native To:                 Vietnam

Lighting:                  Low

Requirements:        Extremely undemanding

Growth Form:          Filamentous

Growth Rate:            Fast

True Aquatic:            Yes

Placement in Tank:  Attached to hardscape or left to float free

Available As:              Portion, Tissue culture cup