Nano moss

Amblystegium serpens

Also known as Creeping feather-moss, Creeping feathermoss, Mini moss

FreshwaterMossDivisionFragmentation

Nano moss (Amblystegium serpens) — (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

Care at a glance

Light: Low light
CO2: No CO₂ needed
Temperature: 59–82°F; 15–28°C
Max height: 1.2 in; 3 cm

Growth rate: Slow
Placement: Epiphyte
Type: Moss
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: 2–15 dGH
Spread: 3.9 in (10 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Easy
Family: Amblystegiaceae
Origin: A cosmopolitan feather moss of damp ground, bark, and stone across the Northern Hemisphere, adapted by hobbyists to grow submerged.

Overview

Nano moss is a fine, feathery moss for stone and wood, and its delicate texture suits nano tanks. It is an easy plant for a low-tech setup.

Did you know

Nano moss is not really an aquatic plant at all. Like a handful of tough land mosses, it simply keeps growing once submerged.

Caring for nano moss

Tie or glue nano moss thinly onto small stones or wood, and let it knit into a low cushion. Cotton thread, fishing line or gel superglue hold it until it anchors itself.

It grows in low light with no CO2 and handles cool water, anywhere from 59 to 82°F (15 to 28°C). Bright but diffuse light suits it better than harsh direct light. It takes its nutrients from the water column, so a liquid fertilizer feeds it rather than root tabs.

Growth is slow either way, and it stays around 3 cm tall. Trim it now and then to keep it neat and encourage denser shoots. To propagate, pull a clump apart into smaller pieces and tie each one down, since pieces that break off keep growing.

Good to know

Nano moss is Amblystegium serpens, a moss in the family Amblystegiaceae, also called creeping feather-moss. Like all mosses it is a non-vascular plant with no true roots, and it takes in water and nutrients across its whole surface. Underwater it forms short, upright shoots. Its small scale gave it the hobby name nano moss.

In the wild

Nano moss is a cosmopolitan feather moss found across the Northern Hemisphere. In the wild it covers damp ground, bark and stone.

Common questions

Does nano moss need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Nano moss grows on rock or wood rather than in the substrate. Tie it on with cotton thread or fishing line, or use gel superglue, until it anchors itself.

Does nano moss need CO2?

No. Nano moss grows well without added CO2 and suits a low-tech tank.

How much light does nano moss need?

Nano moss is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.

How do you propagate nano moss?

Nano moss propagates by division and fragmentation. Pull a clump apart into smaller pieces and tie each one down. Pieces that break off keep growing, so pulling a clump apart spreads it.