Key moss

The key moss usually grows in large groups, attaching itself to stones on the bottom of a body of water. The heavily branched stems are covered with numerous leaves about 1 cm long and 0.5 cm wide. The plant's color depends on its habitat and ranges from light green to dark green.

This moss is seen quite rarely in hobby aquariums, since it is very difficult to keep for a long time due to its relatively high requirements for living conditions. Dense, dark-green tufts of moss, usually reaching 20–25 cm in height, greatly enhance an aquarium's appearance. Its growths can serve as shelter for fry and as a spawning site for many fish species.

The moss should be kept in a cold-water aquarium at 14–20 °C. The plant can be gradually acclimated to a higher temperature, and then it can be kept for a time at about 24 °C. The water should be soft (hardness no more than 8°) with a neutral reaction (pH close to 7). Special attention should be paid to water clarity - the appearance of even slight turbidity is fatal to the plant. Therefore the aquarium should not contain a large number of fish, and keeping fish that dig in the substrate is absolutely unacceptable. Water circulation and aeration should be minimized. A weekly change of 1/5–1/4 of the water volume is mandatory.

Lighting should be moderate. With excess light algae easily appear on the moss, which quickly leads to its death. The moss should be sheltered from direct light by placing it in the shade of floating or tall plants. The light period can be about 12 hours.

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