Reptile & Amphibian Forums

how do i keep this moss stayin alive in my set up?
its moss that was growin beside my creek bed

It really depends on what kind you have. Generally collecting wild moss is hit and miss (usually miss). It looks good at first but usually turns brown or starts to dissapear. I would collect about 3 or 4 different kinds of moss from different locations and hope that one lives.

Most temperate zone mosses normally go through a winter rest period, and are seasonal, among other differences, so don't generally do very well in a tropical "rain-forest" habitat. Even the so-called "tropical sheet or pillow mosses" are sometimes difficult to grow, as they need very good light and most of them appreciate more ventilation than we usually have in our tanks. They may work in some spots, but not in others. That doesn't mean you can't try some that you find. You can always remove them if it doesn't work out, or more than likely, they'll just "compost" into your substrate if they die, with no real harm done. On the plus side of trying them, they often contain tiny insects, springtails, isopods and such that are usually good frog food. Some people may recommend that you attempt to "sanitize" collected material, because they are afraid of introducing plant or frog pathogens, but that will also lower your chance of getting the moss to adapt and grow without insuring absolute safety. Other than certain snails and slugs, which can become pesty, I don't think there's much real danger, if the material is collected from a place that is free from pesticides and artificial fertilizers.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

D. auratus blue, auratus Ancon Hill, galactonotus orange, galactonotus yellow, fantasticus, reticulatus, imitator, castaneoticus, azureus, pumilio Bastimentos. P. lugubris, vittatus, terribilis mint green, terribilis orange.

Patty, it is incredible how you can take a line such as "I found moss by the stream, how do I make it grow" and provide answers like you do.

Do you volunteer for a local zoo? They would be crazy not to have you as a key reptileamphibian member. I believe that you're "retired", but with your knowledge and a zoo's resources, you may be an unbeatable combination.

I think 95% of what I have learned about dart frogs has come from you.

You're a treasure to the trade. Please keep doing what you do.
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-Iman

1.1 BRBs (Ying and Yang)
1.1 JCPs (Striker and Sheila)
0.0.2 BPs (Spot and Speck)
0.0.4 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Suriname Cobalts'
0.0.4 Dendrobates Auratus 'Costa Rican Green and Black'
5.5 Fish (Insert your favorite names here)
1.0 Miniature Daschund (Rue)

Loving to Learn
Learning to Help
Helping to Love

Stimulate debates, stifle arguments.
Please be nice always.

Thank you for that compliment, Triniian, but your own philosophy that you post tells it all. I live way off in the boonies, about 300 miles from the nearest zoo, except for my own ranch and house inhabitats. The forums have become a large part of my social life.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

D. auratus blue, auratus Ancon Hill, galactonotus orange, galactonotus yellow, fantasticus, reticulatus, imitator, castaneoticus, azureus, pumilio Bastimentos. P. lugubris, vittatus, terribilis mint green, terribilis orange.

thanks