{"product_id":"floating-moss-ball-fontinalis","title":"Floating Moss Ball- Fontinalis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a ball of willow moss (Fontinalis antipyretica) — a hardy true moss wrapped over a light float so it drifts near the surface, trailing soft dark-green fronds. It makes easy, natural cover for fry and shrimp and a low-fuss splash of green, and unusually for aquarium mosses it actually prefers cooler water. No CO2 needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWillow moss grows across the cool streams, rivers and lakes of the Northern Hemisphere, clinging to rocks and submerged wood in flowing, well-oxygenated water. That cool, moving-water origin is the key to keeping it: it dislikes warm, still tanks and is happiest in coldwater and temperate setups. As a moss ball it floats, but the same plant can be untied and attached to hardscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFontinalis has fine, dark-green fronds of small overlapping leaves along branching stems, softer and more trailing than most aquarium mosses. Wrapped as a ball it forms a rounded, drifting green cushion a few centimetres across; over time the moss grows out from the ball into loose trailing fronds. Growth is slow, so the ball holds its shape for a good while.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eKept as sold it floats at or near the surface as a moving green feature and fry refuge. Alternatively, unwrap the moss and tie or glue it to driftwood or rock as an epiphyte for the foreground or midground — it is not a substrate plant and should never be buried. Position it in gentle flow and cooler, shaded conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo planting is needed to keep it as a float — simply place it in the tank. To attach it, tease the moss off the ball and secure a thin layer to hardscape with cotton thread or gel superglue. Propagate by dividing the moss into pieces, each of which grows on independently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEasy in low to moderate lighting; keep it out of bright light, which encourages algae on the fine fronds. CO2 is not required. Light liquid fertiliser is enough as it feeds from the water column. It prefers cool water, roughly 15–24 °C, and struggles in warm tropical tanks — be honest with yourself about your temperature before buying. pH 6.0–7.8, soft to moderately hard water. Growth is slow; keep good flow and remove trapped debris to keep it clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFontinalis antipyretica\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWillow Moss (Floating Moss Ball)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorthern Hemisphere (cool streams and lakes)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTrailing fronds to 10–20 cm\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\u003eFloating \/ Epiphyte\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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight liquid fertiliser (water-column feeder)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–24 °C (prefers cool water)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDivision\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\u003eColdwater and temperate tanks, shrimp and fry tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eExcellent in coldwater and temperate tanks with small peaceful fish and shrimp, which shelter in and graze the fronds. A useful fry refuge in breeding setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBig diggers and boisterous fish — large goldfish, cichlids — will pull it apart. Its main dislike is heat and still water: avoid warm tropical tanks and stagnant, brightly lit corners, where it will thin and gather algae.\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":55234104852771,"sku":"AA1317","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/floating-moss-ball-fontinali-43078167953699-v2.webp?v=1790321588","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/floating-moss-ball-fontinalis","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}