I have to second the suggestion for Selaginella kraussiana. The 'Aurea' (Gold Tipped) cultivar of kraussiana has a really nice light green color and this stuff does better in vivs than most of the mosses that I’ve attempted to use. It may not do well if the viv is too wet though.



I’ve noted the following problems with using mosses in vivs:

1.) Stringy growth form- Most or our temperate sheet mosses need a lot of light (remember that a single fluorescent bulb doesn’t even produce the amount of light that you will find under a shade tree). When you try to grow these mosses under fluorescent light they produce stringy runners, which I assume, are looking for adequate light.

2.) Failure to thrive due to improper pH- from what I understand, the LECA balls that many of use for a drainage layer, make the water in our vivs slightly basic. Most of our temperate mosses require an acidic pH to thrive.



One other thought is that it is a good idea to be careful about your source of moss. These plants cannot tolerate a bleach bath, so if you transfer mosses from one amphibian tank to another you can also transfer parasites.



As Patty mentioned Java moss grows really well in aquariums. I’ve grown it in terrariums and aquariums and I think I’ve seen more growth under water. If you want to use this moss I would obtaining some from a source that doesn’t have amphibians and wash it well in chlorinated tap water. (This will not guarantee parasite free moss, but it is a gesture) You can then grow it in an animal free fish bowl and fertilize it with DynaGrow “Grow” or some other dilute fertilizer that isn’t too high in phosphate. In my experience high levels of phosphate will give you a euglena bloom (green water). Java moss will grow in a basic environment so if you use LECA in your viv, it will not be hindered by the pH.

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