Pelia moss is a sturdy and fast-growing aquarium plant. It can face diverse kinds of a problem but still thrive.
Slow growth is expected when the plant is facing water change. Whenever you see the Pelia moss turning brown, the reason for that is the change in the water parameters.
Besides that, the temperature change, low light exposure, growing CO2 level, and imbalance pH level all contribute to the plant color changes.
Aquariums do not maintain well-developed wide varieties of chemicals.
There will be prominent signs that indicate the health issues in the Pelia moss plant. Observe these changes to identify the root cause of the problem.
Immediate action would save the plant time.
When no action is taken to recover the plant’s health, the leaves will turn brown slowly and eventually die.
The moss plant needs an adequate amount of light exposure. Moderated temperature supports in production of the goods.

Table of Contents
- Main reasons for Pelia Moss Turning Brown
- Top reasons why Pelia moss turning brown
- Can Brown Pelia Moss plants turn Green again?
- Treatments for Reviving Brown Pelia Moss plants
- How will Brown Pelia Moss affect the fish in my aquarium Tank?
- Are Brown Pelia Moss bad for other plants in my aquarium?
- Do snails eat Brown Pelia Moss?
- Do algae grow fast in Brown Pelia Moss Tanks?
- Conclusion
Main reasons for Pelia Moss Turning Brown
Pelia moss plant turning brown is indicating a severe problem in the aquarium. Pelia moss is naturally sturdy; thus, mild changes cannot affect it.
The brown color leaves show the water condition is rapidly changing and becoming lethal for the aquarium species. Continued development of the chemicals could cause the changing water health.
Pelia moss plants can tolerate hot and cold temperatures very well and thrive without exceptional life support.
Therefore, when the leaves start turning brown, you should investigate its cause.
Mainly, water contamination would be the culprit. It may affect the entire aquarium and cause the live plant and fish to die due to health issues.
Top reasons why Pelia moss turning brown
Algae growth
The area will be covered with green algae when the water condition becomes suitable for algae growth.
The development of the algae on the top of the leaf would affect the plant. Leaves are the only source of food production.
The plant will face low food production. Less food affects plant growth. A thick layer of algae on the leaf’s surface will prevent the UV light from reaching the plant.
As a result, you will notice the green pigment of the leaves is changing, and they are decaying slowly.
Insufficient Nutrient
As the water condition changes, the nutrition found in the water decreases.
Pelia moss has to survive on its own. Without nutrition, the growth rate slowly declines, causing the plant to face many challenges to thrive.
New plant development will stop, and the entire structure will eventually collapse. Leaves turning brown is one sign that plants are not getting vital nutrients.
Lower Carbon level
Pelia moss plant will thrive quickly if CO2 is available around it. Carbon dioxide supports the plant to grow faster.
The gas helps the plant to do photosynthesis and produce food quickly. In the absence of it, the plant will face various challenges.
The level of carbon dioxide drop in the water will determine the growth rate.
Cleaning
An aquarium containing waste products and dirt floating in the water could cause the water to change its chemical value.
As the plant grows, it will have trouble growing in the water. Debris accumulated from different sources will face challenges.
You must take care of the regular cleaning and ensure the plant gets the nutrition from the water.
Inadequate light
Light is essential for plant growth. In many cases, the low light level can cause the plant to stop growing as the exposure to the light decreases and the photosynthesis process decline.
As a result, the reduction in food production will affect the new growth.
To stimulate the natural habitat, you should have a proper light source mountain above the Pelia moss plant.
Water change
Set the schedule to perform water changes occasionally. The water must be replaced with fresh water.
Freshwater brings the necessary nutrition with it. The vital nutrition supports plants in growing faster.
Pelia moss is the same acceptance of temperature change. The freshwater supply will control the water temperature.
Can Brown Pelia Moss plants turn Green again?
Yes. The first thing you need to do is change the water—the contamination in the water causes the plant to turn brown.
You can turn the Pelia moss plant leaves that become brown to Green again with the proper maintenance.
Also, there will be a necessity to improve the nutritional value. For that, you can use the liquid CO2. You can quickly get it from the aquarium shop.
CO2 helps in increasing the photosynthesis process. As the plant gets the required food supply, it will thrive.
Treatments for Reviving Brown Pelia Moss plants
Before you apply any solution to review the Pelia moss plant, the first thing that you have to do is to identify the problem. In most cases, the Pelia moss may have faced challenges.
Brown Pelia moss plant leaves would cause severe issues in the aquarium and other species.
Immediate treatment is necessary to recover and get the plant in the expected condition. In such a scenario, find out why the Pelia moss is getting into trouble.
Here are a few valuable solutions you can apply to recover the Pelia moss plant from turning brown.
- Change the water immediately. Perform the 25% water change weekly to supply fresh, nutrition-rich water.
- Clean the filtration system by removing it from the aquarium. The filtration might not be effective anymore due to dirt and dust particle trapped inside the filter.
- Check the water temperature and pH level. The changing temperature could affect the Pelia Moss plant. Also, the high pH level turns the Pelia Moss brown.
- Increase the CO2 level because the chemical supports the Pelia moss plant in developing foods faster. The immune system will get stronger, and you will have decent growth in the plant.
If nothing works, the final solution is to isolate the plant into a separate container.
Offer the plant bright light and a sufficient amount of CO2. Soon the brown leaves will recover, and you will have your plant back to normal life.
How will Brown Pelia Moss affect the fish in my aquarium Tank?
There will be some negative side effects you will experience on the aquarium fish.
Here are those challenges that you may face based on the type of fish you have in the tank.
Goldfish
Goldfish are known for eating everything that they find in the tank.
There will be a high possibility that the brown leaves of the Pelia moss plant will get eaten by goldfish. It will cause health issues, and you may face serious problems with the fish.
Frequent illness in the fish might occur. In this case, you have to provide special care to the fish.
Betta Fish
Betta fish mostly do not eat the live plant, but sometimes they prefer to nibble the tiny leaves.
The Pelia moss that is turning brown may not directly affect the Betta fish, but as the decaying plant leaves react with the water, it will cause challenges for the fish to survive.
Turtles
The turtles need to keep away from the brown leaves of the Pelia moss plant.
The plant does not produce harmful chemicals, but as the situation in the water changes, the water condition will affect the turtle’s growth.
Shrimps
Shrimps may also develop illnesses after eating the brown Pelia moss plant.
The plant itself does not produce harm to the shrimps, but the bacteria development and viruses residing on the plant leaves will affect the shrimp’s growth.
Are Brown Pelia Moss bad for other plants in my aquarium?
Yes. The biggest problem with the brown Pelia moss is the plant loses control over its health. Bacterial infection will form on the damaged part.
As the plant is going through a difficult situation, it cannot survive longer.
Brown Pelia moss will find it difficult to protect the area, and soon, the algae will occur. Rapidly growing contamination would affect the plant primarily and may affect the other species in the tank.
Do snails eat Brown Pelia Moss?
Snails may eat the tiny leaves of the Pelia moss plant. In the absence of food, the snail may prefer eating the tiny leaves. Mostly snails eat algae growth around the plant. It is their primary food.
Therefore, you will find the snail spending most of the time in the area where algae growth is most common.
Do algae grow fast in Brown Pelia Moss Tanks?
Yes. The algae growth will speed up in the brown Pelia moss plant. The reason for that is that the damaged Pelia moss plant will not be able to protect itself.
As a result, the algae would take place on the damaged part and thrive quickly. If no action is taken, the entire Pelia moss plant will be covered with freshly grown algae, and soon the plant will die.
Conclusion
The Pelia moss plant should be kept where it receives sufficient light. The suitable light condition allows the plant to produce enough food.
Without the necessary food, the plant cannot protect itself. Ensure the water condition and light condition is stable.