Javanese moss is a perennial aquatic plant, the decorative characteristics of which allow you to beautifully design an aquarium. But it also often becomes a shelter for fish and is used for spawning of certain species of animals. Due to the fact that many consider it simply a pretty algae, a bush often dies without proper care. It is worthwhile to figure out how to take care of this wonderful representative of the underwater flora.
Description
Javanese, as aquarists also call it, belongs to hypnum mosses. For the proper cultivation of this aquarium plant, it is not necessary to comply with any special requirements regarding the parameters of water and lighting that differ from the contents of other species of plants and fish. In addition, moss is able to grow not only in the soil, but also on the surfaces of stones and driftwood, even on the walls of the aquarium, since it does not have a root system.
This underwater inhabitant, properly planted and placed, can make the design of the artificial pond unique.
But this feature of a hydrobiont has a drawback - it clogs the filter and is able to grow on decorative elements and other plants.
True, in this case, moss is an epiphyte, that is, it does not parasitize on them. Moreover, it performs a useful function - it absorbs decay products and harmful components that accumulate over time in the aquatic environment.
I must say that this feature is characteristic of many tropical plants, both aquatic and land, and Javanese is from Southeast Asia. By the way, its name comes from the name of the island of Java, on which it also grows in large numbers.
Appearance of a hydrobiont:
- the plant has a thin, soft and long stalk (from 17 to 45 cm);
- the leaves are small, thin, up to 2 mm, with sharp tips, their color depends on the degree of illumination and the level of oxygen: the younger ones are light green, and the old ones darken with time;
- also, the Javanese has many tiny rhizoid organs — peculiar roots in the form of strings, with the help of which it is attached to glass and various objects;
- The plant can be located both on horizontal and on steep surfaces.
Javanese moss in the aquarium can form a real soft green carpet that looks quite exotic, but first you need to grow it and fix it so that it does not creep.
Growing conditions
The content of Javanese is associated with several important points, one of which is the presence of a filtering system, since moss prefers clean water.
With severe pollution, a plant, which in itself absorbs the remains of organic matter, can become ill and die. This is due to the fact that its pores are clogged.
Therefore, it should not be allowed that turbidity is present in the aquarium and there is a large amount of suspended particles.
Characteristics of water suitable for vegetation:
- water temperature is from +23 to 30 degrees, in a cooler environment Javanese does not grow;
- optimal stiffness - not higher than 15 units;
- if brackish water is needed for other aquarium inhabitants, it will not be an obstacle to the development of vegetation;
- it is desirable to maintain acidity at the level of 5–8 units, by the way, this parameter is suitable for most decorative tropical fish, with which the plant can comfortably adjoin.
Moss is indifferent to light, but if you want it to grow quickly, you can make the lighting brighter, while its color will also become more saturated.
If it is possible to create a small current in the aquarium, this will have a beneficial effect on the development of young bushes.
Javanese moss is best grown in a large aquarium with a volume of 100 liters, but if desired (as a decor of the back wall) a more modest 54 liter tank is also suitable, especially relevant in this regard Aquael 60 ECO with compressor and internal filter.
Such vegetation does not need soil, but it will have to be attached to wood driftwood, stones or jewelry to avoid uncontrolled growth. Since moss is periodically covered with plaque, it must be washed in clean water.
In the tank, it is often undesirable to change the water, it is also not recommended to transplant bushes to other places every now and then.
Equally important for any aquarium flora, including Javanese moss, carbon dioxide supply but feeding is not necessary for him, because the plant takes any fertilizer from its environment.
Enemies of Javanese moss in an artificial habitat are blue-green algae and fringed outgrowths of the “black beard”. These are aquarium parasites that appear due to too low acidity and stagnation of water. They can lead to the death of the plant, so their appearance should not be allowed.
Picturesque Javanese looks on stones and snags, where they fix it. It is allowed occasionally to prune the plant for decoration purposes.
Reproduction and planting
Under normal lighting conditions and the presence of clean water, the plant can quickly grow and multiply. This happens in a vegetative way: a bunch separates from the main bush, growing up, it will also give a daughter bush. If the vegetation is located in the upper layers of the aquarium, then reproduction is carried out by spores: shoots on the stalk become black, oval shells filled with spores are visible on them. Falling, they form young Javanese bushes. But if, in addition to vegetation, fish live in the aquarium, then this phenomenon does not happen very often.
Planting Javanese moss is quite simple:
- First, it is necessary to disinfect the selected surface with a 3% solution of potassium permanganate to protect other underwater inhabitants;
- after that, small bushes are laid out at a small distance from each other and fixed.
To fix the plant to the aquarium object, a thread, fishing line or a small mosquito net for windows is used, the main thing is that it be made of non-toxic material. Moss is carefully placed on a decorative object, covered with a net or wrapped with thread, and then press the improvised material to the ground with stones.
If it is necessary to fix the hydrobiont on the soil, it should be noted that you can’t dig it deeply, as the underwater inhabitant will have nothing to breathe. After that, you need to provide good lighting - at least 8 hours a day, and then the vegetation will rapidly grow.
The fixing material can be removed after 6-7 days, as the bush has time to gain a foothold. This should be done carefully so as not to damage the delicate stems.
Variants of epiphyte placement are different.
- They can decorate the back wall of the tank, for this, the moss is fixed with a net, having previously provided it with suction cups.
- But there are more original ideas, for example, to create a tree using moss. To do this, you will have to find a beautiful and heavy snag with twigs and a rough texture on which the fishing line or threads will not slip. The base of the tree is buried in the soil so that the moss could not raise it.
- In addition, in the aquarium departments you can buy ready-made rugs of Javanese moss and spectacular balls from it.
Javanese moss coexists perfectly with any species of fish that need the same conditions for normal life. Even for predatory varieties, its bushes are not of interest in the quality of food, with the exception of the rare cases when its tiny leaves in a minimal amount can serve as feeding for fry.
Experienced aquarists plant Bolbitis water ferns and creeping Anubias bushes in the Javanese aquarium, which in combination with a mossy carpet look especially impressive. But next to the Javanese, you can place other aquarium herbs.
You will learn more about Javanese moss by watching the following video.
