Flame moss vs java moss

**Whoopydoo** · 04-28-2012, 05:00 AM

OK well I wanted to no which type of moss I should get between flame moss and java moss because I have baby guppies and some balcony mollies on the way but I want something that can grow as a carpet thick but also long because I also have albino cory catfish tht might like it

**dbosman** · 04-30-2012, 09:53 PM

Flame moss is slower growing than java.
If you attach it to wood or rocks, flame moss should grow up and out.
Java moss just grows and grows. You don't see the growth - it just appears larger after days or weeks.
Neither will carpet well though. Java moss is so easy to grow I've stopped growing it in several tanks. I used to take out a foot ball size mass every two weeks from one tank.

Floating plants with long roots usually work well for live bearer fry. Guppy grass (Naja species) is great. A lot of stem plants will help fry hide. There will always be fry. Landscape your tank for your eye. Healthy live bearers in a healthy tank will breed again. And again, and again...

**Whoopydoo** · 05-01-2012, 01:51 AM

Oh well thx for tht advice but java moss and flame moss are my only options
So Idk which to pick

**Goes to 11!** · 05-01-2012, 01:58 AM

+1 to dbosman

Originally Posted by Whoopydoo

Oh well thx for tht advice but java moss and flame moss are my only options
So Idk which to pick

Neither if a carpet is your aim. In this world of online availability you have far more than just those two options without looking too far btw.

**bignellm** · 05-01-2012, 02:07 AM

Frankly I found it hard to get Flame moss and am not even sure the online provider AquaticMagic even sent flame. I'm seeing some growth that resembles Christmas Moss.

But as for what they said about growth, it's 100% true. Grows at a turtle pace. A floating plant that I've found to help my fry survive is Brazilian Pennywort, as long as it's floating and in large enough mass.

And as they said, your live bearers will go on breeding over and over. So, no worries if you lose a few. That's nature weeding itself out.

**Whoopydoo** · 05-02-2012, 04:16 AM

OK question for you guys if a shipment of flame moss takes 17-31 days to arrive will it still be alive?

**dbosman** · 05-02-2012, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Whoopydoo

OK question for you guys if a shipment of flame moss takes 17-31 days to arrive will it still be alive?

There are people on any of the fish forums who would be happy to sell or even give you a moss starter. It only takes one small piece and patience to grow more.

After more than a couple of days, I'd expect any living thing to be dead on arrival.
Since you don't list a location I'm guessing from this point down.
That time is too long for intrastate shipment, so I'm going to guess you're considering ordering from overseas?
I'm guessing you didn't know it's illegal to import plants without a Phyto-Sanitary Certificate.

The sellers know that and know you can't do anything about getting your money back if customs confiscates your package. Aquabid and eBay don't care about you either. PayPal won't refund as the package got shipped. A credit card challenge need not be given as the package was shipped illegally.

Sure, some packages make it through, but many don't. The purchaser can end up on a Customs, ICE, or Homeland Security list. If they catch you doing it a 2nd time, you can get a home visit.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_exp...ts/index.shtml

**Whoopydoo** · 05-03-2012, 02:26 AM

Oh I never knew that and yes your correct it is coming over seas. It's coming from china all the way to California

**AVN** · 10-04-2012, 04:11 PM

I got my starter mosses from China. Contrary to what the above post states, packages aren't confiscated very often.

I've had over 50 shipments from overseas, all containing live plants and animals, not once has any of my packages been confiscated by customs. (held for a couple extra days maybe but never confiscated)

Don't ignore his warnings though, they hold ground as they are true.