Reptile & Amphibian Forums

There are so many mosses available I don't know which is best. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Heather
-----
Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first and the lesson after.

Hs Kritter Kove

I have used Spanish moss, but recently removed it after running across a couple of problems that may occur with this while doing some amphibian medical care research. There were a couple of cases cited where frogs became entangled in this and it caused injuries from abrasions and tourniquet effect. On the other hand, I experienced no problems with it in the year it was in my paludarium with the galacs. I have left some that is hanging on a branch arising from the aquarium portion, though. It looks pretty neat.

The so called pillow moss and tropical moss do fairly well where there is good light, but I get patchy growth at best in my heavily planted tanks. I do use sheets of pillow moss in my nursery/quarantine critter keepers and it does well in those.
-----
Patty
Lost River, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
3 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
4 D. leukomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos

I've read the same thing about Spanish Moss and frogs. However, as far as groundcover moss is concerned, I would strongly recommend java moss or one of the small club mosses. Both of those seem to grow very quickly and spread much more readily than the pillow moss that I have in the tank. My Java Moss has put up spore pods 2 or 3 times in the last 6 months, and new patches show up all of the time. On the other hand, my tropical pillow moss just sits where I originally put it, and many patches have changed color or died . . . and I have TONS of light in my terrarium (maybe that's the problem, but the club moss and java moss don't seem to mind).
-----
Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense