{"product_id":"christmas-moss","title":"Christmas Moss","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChristmas moss earns its name from the fronds' branching, fir-tree shape that hangs in tidy overlapping tiers. It is one of the most useful plants in the hobby: drape it over wood or rock, tie it to mesh, and let it knit into a soft green mat. Slow, hardy and undemanding, it is a staple of shrimp tanks and natural scapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tropical Asian moss that grows on wet rocks, roots and timber along streams and in damp forest, both submerged and in the humid air above the waterline. In the aquarium it recreates that easily – attached to hardscape in gentle flow, it needs no substrate and takes its nutrients straight from the water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFine, densely branched fronds of deep green form flat, triangular sprays, the distinctive drooping, tiered pattern most pronounced under moderate light and cooler water. It has no true roots; instead it clings by rhizoids. Supplied as a portion of loose moss ready to spread or attach, it thickens into overlapping layers over the following weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn epiphyte for the foreground and midground – tie or glue it to driftwood and stone, cover mesh to build moss walls and carpets, or wedge it into crevices. It is ideal cover for shrimplets and fry. Give it gentle flow so detritus does not settle in the fronds, and trim to keep the shape neat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo not bury it. Spread a thin layer over the surface and secure with cotton thread, fishing line or a dab of gel superglue until the rhizoids grab hold, then it holds on its own. Propagation is simply a matter of trimming pieces and re-attaching them elsewhere – every fragment can grow into a new patch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLow to moderate light gives the best triangular fronds; strong light without CO2 invites algae in the moss before it can outgrow it. CO2 is not required but produces denser growth. It prefers cooler water, ideally 15–26 °C, and slows above about 28 °C; pH 5.0–7.5, soft to medium hardness. Growth is slow, so keep it clean and shaded enough to stay ahead of algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVesicularia montagnei\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChristmas Moss\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–10 cm (mat depth)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEpiphyte \/ Foreground \/ Midground\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to Moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required (beneficial)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid fertiliser (water column), light dosing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDivision – trim and re-attach fragments\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShrimp tanks, fry cover, nano and natural scapes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerfect with shrimp of all kinds, small peaceful fish, rasboras, tetras, endlers and snails. It provides grazing surface and shelter, and shrimp keepers prize it as breeding cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBig diggers and boisterous cichlids tear mats loose before they anchor, and goldfish will pick at it. Note that liquid-carbon products (glutaraldehyde) can damage or melt mosses – dose cautiously or not at all in a moss-heavy tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or local delivery. Sold sizes\/portions reflect what we stock; anything shown as sold out will return as we restock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234107867427,"sku":"AA3595","price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Christmas_Moss_Vesicularia_montagnei.jpg?v=1781488713","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/christmas-moss","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}