Mosses are being used by everyone all around the world to make their Aquariums beautiful. These Mosses not only add a nice green look to the tank but also has certain other benefits to the tank as well as its tank mates.
The Flame Moss (Taxiphyllum) is one such Moss that is currently used by Aquarists all around the world to decorate their tanks. These Mosses are easy to take care of and also add a very bright green look to the tank.
Also, these Mosses can grow almost anywhere they are attached to and also require a low maintenance requirement compared to the other Aquatic plants in your tank.
| Scientific Name | Taxiphyllum |
| Origin | Asia |
| Lighting Needs | Low |
| Temperature | 68-90°F (20-32°C) |
| CO2 | Low |
| Water Conditions | pH 5- 7.5 |
| Average Size | 3 – 10+ |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Placement | Mid and Foreground |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Table of Contents
- Origin of Flame Moss Plant
- The Appearance of Flame Moss
- Methods of Growing Flame Moss in Aquarium
- Tank Requirements to Plant Flame Moss
- Maintaining Flame Moss
- Tips to Care and Cultivation of Flame Moss
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Planting Flame Moss in my Aquarium
- Common Problems of Planting Flame Moss in Aquarium Tanks
- Suitable Tank Mates for Flame Moss
- Unsuitable Tank Mates for Flame Moss
- Flame Moss Vs Java Moss
- Flame Moss Vs Christmas Moss
- Conclusion
- FAQ
So let’s see what the Flame Moss is and what type of advantages and disadvantages that it has on your tank.
Origin of Flame Moss Plant
The Flame Moss or scientifically known as the Taxiphyllum flame belongs to the family of Hypnaceae.
This flame moss is mostly seen growing in South and Southeast Asia. These plants grow in bushes in the rivers of these areas.
The Appearance of Flame Moss
Compared to the other types of mosses the flame moss has a dark green in look appearance. And when put in a tank will grow around 03 to 04 inches vertically in a spiral. Also, the Flame Moss will have a thick and bushy appearance in it when growing.
Compared to the other mosses such as the Christmas Moss or the Java Moss this Moss only has a few requirements for its growth.
Methods of Growing Flame Moss in Aquarium
Flame Moss is a plant that can attach itself to almost anywhere in the tank with its Rhizoids and grow itself. These Mosses will take around 03 to 04 weeks to attach themselves to any surface and thereafter grow.
These Mosses can be grown fully submerged in the water or immersed in the waters. When these Mosses are fully submerged in the waters they will have a faster and healthier growth with a bright green look in it.
And when this Moss is left immersed in the waters they will have a slower growth compared to a fully submerged Moss.
Growing the Flame Moss in your tank can be done in many ways. You can use the below methods to have the Flame Moss nicely attached to your tank.
Driftwood
The Flame Moss can be attached to a Driftwood and placed in the tank. After a certain period, the roots of this plant will start to attach towards the driftwood and grow themselves onto the driftwood.
Gravel
the Flame Moss can also be attached to gravel on the surface of the tank where the plant can grow as thick bushes at the bottom of the tank.
Floating in the tank
One of the main advantages of the Flame Moss is it does not require a specific surface attached for its growth.
Until the plant receives the required amount of water to its root system these plants can even be kept floating at the top of the tank which can also be used as a carpet to the tank.
Tank Requirements to Plant Flame Moss
Although the Flame Moss is considered a slow-growing plant this Moss will grow up to 03 to 04 inches in the tank in a vertical spiral with time.
Therefore you have to see that there is enough space in your tank for the Flame Moss to grow and spread while also having space for the other tank mates and Aquatic plants to live in too.
Maintaining Flame Moss
Maintaining the Flame Moss in your tank is not that difficult, a proper and regular cleaning of the tank, as well as the Moss, can keep away the unwanted debris and Algae collected within the Moss.
Also, see that the Moss receives enough amount light for its growth which is not too much as too much light received on the plant will kill the Moss.
Tips to Care and Cultivation of Flame Moss
Adding Fertilizers and CO2 to the Moss
Adding Fertilizers and CO2 to the Flame Moss can help you have a green and healthy growing Flame Moss in your tank. But this is not necessarily required.
Lighting
The Flame Moss is a plant that requires a low amount of light. Too much light received on the plant will kill the plant. Therefore a careful look has to be given and seen that the Flame Moss receives only the minimum amount of light requirement for the healthy growth of the plant.
Water requirement
A regular cleaning of the water is required for a healthy growing Flame moss in the tank, therefore always see that the tank’s water is regularly and properly cleaned.
And also the Flame Moss requires a slow of water in your tank for its growth. A high flow of water in the tank will make the Moss tear off and die. Therefore always see that there is a slow flow of water through the filter in your tank.
Growth Rate of Flame Moss
The Flame Moss has a slow growth compared to the other types of Mosses used in Aquariums. The growth rate of this Moss depends on the way that this Moss is grown in your tank.
When this Moss is fully submerged in the waters it will have a faster and healthier growth while a slower growth when kept immersed in the waters.
Height of Flame Moss
Compared to the other types of Aquatic plants and Mosses the Flame Moss is a slow-growing Moss.
This Moss has a bushy look and thick leaves when grown fully and the normal height of a grown Flame Moss is around 03 to 04 inches tall.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Planting Flame Moss in my Aquarium
There are certain advantages that you can have planting the Flame Moss in your tank such as,
The Flame Moss will also make its food through the process of photosynthesis, providing the oxygen requirement of the tank to a certain level.
Also, the Flame Moss will be a great addition of decoration to the tank or Aquarium.
Having Flame Moss within the tank will have certain advantages to the fish and other small tank mates within the tank. The Flame Moss will be a source of food for certain fish as well as a great place of hiding and shelter.
Also, this plant will be a great place for the fish to lay and hide their eggs from other tank mates within the tank.
Like advantages, there are also certain disadvantages that your tank will have with the Flame Moss in it such as,
Flame Moss is a plant that can attract Algae to the tank. Therefore a regular cleaning of the water and seeing that the Moss receives only the required amount of light and nutrients in the water can help control Algae growth within the tank.
Also, these Mosses unlike other types of Mosses require only a slow water movement in the tank. When the water flow in the tank increases the plant will start to tear off and die. So you have to see that there is a slow flow of water from the filter to the tank.
Common Problems of Planting Flame Moss in Aquarium Tanks
- The Flame Moss requires a slow movement of water in your tank, a higher moving of water through the filter in your tank might cause the Moss to tear up and die.
- Like all other mosses the Flame Moss also cannot survive in too much bright light, too much bright light will cause health problems on the Moss. So when placing your tank nearby to direct light you will have to see that there isn’t too much light received on the Flame Moss plants in your tank.
- Also when there is too much light on the plant it will attract more algae towards the plant, too many algae within the moss will make it hard for the moss to recover itself and might even cause the moss to die.
Suitable Tank Mates for Flame Moss
There are several types of fish and other tank mates that can live in harmony with the Flame Moss in your tank such as,
Hillstream Loach
The Hill Stream Loach is a peaceful and active fish that has similar water parameter requirements as the Flame Moss plant and has a peaceful living with it.
Guppies
Guppies are Community Fish that are very peaceful. They can live in harmony with the Flame Moss. The Flame Moss provides these fish with a good shelter as well as a good hiding place.
Bristlenose Plecos
The Bristlenose Plecos is a very beneficial fish to your tank with Flame Moss. These Fish are very peaceful and help in cleaning the Algae within the tank.
Otocinclus
These Fish are very peaceful and social. They eat the Algae and the Debris within the tank and also help in cleaning plants which is very helpful to the Flame Moss.
Crystal Red Shrimp
the Crystal red Shrimp is an animal that can live in harmony with the Flame Moss. They are very peaceful.
Cherry Shrimp
the Cherry Shrimp is a very peaceful animal. This animal is around 1.6 inches in size and feeds on decomposing plants and Algae.
Having these with the Flame Moss plant will be beneficial to the plant. The Cherry Shrimp will help the plant to get rid of the unwanted Algae within it.
The Cherry Shrimp and the Flame Moss can live in harmony.
Unsuitable Tank Mates for Flame Moss
Tank Mates such as the Silver Dollar Fish, Monos, Scales, and the Gold Fish who highly depend on plants in your tank should be avoided from being together with the Flame Moss.
These types of tank mates can make harm to the Flame Moss very badly.
Flame Moss Vs Java Moss
Flame Moss compared to the Java Moss is a slow-growing plant. When attached, the flame moss will grow very slowly while the Java Moss will grow faster.
Flame Moss Vs Christmas Moss
Flame Moss is the same as Christmas Moss. The Flame Moss grows smaller and compact than the Christmas Moss. Also, the Flame Moss has beautiful foliage with fronds thicker than the Christmas Moss.
Conclusion
Flame Moss compared to the other types of mosses is similar to them, they can be easily taken care of and grow on any surface with its rhizoids. If you are still finding for the best plant to be added to your fish tank or the aquarium the Flame Moss will be one of the ideal plants.
So try one of these plants added into your tank, not only will it be eye-catching but also provide safety and cover to the small fish and other tank mates in it.
FAQ
Is Flame Moss a more expensive plant?
Compared to other Mosses used in the aquarium industry the Flame Moss is slightly more expensive than them.
Can Flame Moss live out of Water?
Yes, the Flame Moss can live out of Water emerged. But the plant will not grow on a ground surface.
Does Flame Moss attach itself?
Yes, like all other Mosses the Flame Moss grows on Rhizoids where it can attach itself to any surface.
Does Flame Moss have roots?
No, the Flame Moss does not have roots, instead, they have Rhizoids which will help them to attach to any surface and absorb nutrients.
How can I use Flame Moss?
You can use the Flame Moss fully submerged in the waters attached to the substrate of the tank or else can even be kept floating at the top of the tank.
Can Flame Moss be planted?
Yes, the Flame Moss can be planted into the substrate of the tank and even be propagated and planted anywhere in the tank.
Where does Flame Moss grow?
The Flame Moss is a native plant to South Asia and Southeast Asia. This plant grows in separate bushes in the rivers in these areas.
