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Flame Moss
Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame'
Flame Moss is famous for its unique upward-twisting, spiral growth. Highly versatile, it benefits from moderate lighting and CO2 to express its vertical flame-like shape.
Class:Bryopsida
Order:Hypnales
Family:Taxiphyllaceae
Genus:Taxiphyllum
Species:Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame'
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Water Temperature
20 - 28 °C
pH Value
5.5 - 7.5
Water type
Freshwater
Light
Bassa / Media
CO2
Bassa (Ma esalta le spirali fiammeggianti)
Expected height
10 cm
Expected width
10 cm
GH
4 - 20 dGH
KH
2 - 15 dKH
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Flame Moss does not have a precisely documented wild geographic origin. It is widely believed to originate from tropical freshwater environments in Southeast Asia, particularly slow-flowing rivers and shaded forest streams in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, or Indonesia. In these natural habitats, it grows as a rheophyte or epiphyte, anchoring itself securely to submerged logs, water-splashed rocks, and exposed roots along wet banks, benefiting from a constant but gentle water flow.
Taxonomy & Genetics: Belonging to the Hypnaceae family and classified under the genus Taxiphyllum, this moss has not yet been fully described at the species level, being commonly referred to as Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame'. Genetically and taxonomically, it shares close morphological affinities with other members of the genus, such as Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri), but is distinguished by a stable genetic mutation that determines its unique vertical spiral growth.
Physical Structure: The physical structure of Flame Moss is unique among aquarium mosses. Instead of branching out in a chaotic or prostrate manner, it develops thick, compact shoots that grow strictly vertically. Each shoot twists slightly as it grows upward, creating a spiral helical shape that mimics the appearance of tiny green flames. The rhizoids are short and specialized, designed to anchor the plant to hard surfaces rather than absorb nutrients.
Color & Texture: The color is a deep, saturated forest green that becomes slightly lighter and brighter at the active growing tips. The texture of the shoots is dense, compact, and slightly rough to the touch. Under intense lighting and adequate water flow, its visual consistency appears highly defined and structured, offering a strong geometric contrast to wilder, messier mosses.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Lighting & CO2: Flame Moss is highly versatile: it tolerates low-light conditions, but to express its signature vertical and spiral growth pattern, it benefits from moderate to high lighting. While CO2 injection is not strictly mandatory for survival, a steady supply significantly accelerates its otherwise slow growth rate and makes the shoots visibly thicker, more rigid, and geometrically defined.
Nutrition & Substrate: As a moss lacking a true root system, Flame Moss does not draw nutrients from the substrate. It relies entirely on water column fertilization, absorbing a balanced mix of micro and macronutrients directly through the surface of its shoots. It must never be planted directly into the substrate, as burying the base will prevent water circulation and cause it to rot.
Water Chemistry: It prefers cool to moderate temperatures, ideally between 20°C and 26°C; prolonged exposure to temperatures above 28°C can halt growth and lead to browning of the shoots. It is highly tolerant of pH (5.5 - 7.5) and water hardness, though it thrives best in soft to moderately hard water. It is sensitive to overdoses of liquid carbon (glutaraldehyde) or harsh algaecides.
Space Management & Placement: Its strictly upright growth makes it perfect for placement on hardscape elements in the midground or background. It is exceptional for covering vertical branches or creating miniature "trees" by attaching it to the tops of driftwood. Care should be taken not to shade it completely under large-leafed plants, which would cause the lower sections to thin out and detach.
Pruning: Pruning is done by trimming the shoots horizontally with sharp aquascaping scissors, which encourages dense lateral branching. The trimmed fragments can be easily reused for propagation: simply tie or glue them with cyanoacrylate gel to a new hard surface, where they will quickly begin their vertical growth once again.
Risks & Diseases: The primary risk is the accumulation of organic waste and detritus within its dense vertical shoots, which can suffocate the moss and trigger outbreaks of filamentous or black brush algae (BBA). Maintaining good water circulation and gently siphoning the moss during water changes is essential. If heavily infested with algae, it is often best to prune away the affected areas as chemical treatments can harm the moss.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Flame Moss does not have a precisely documented wild geographic origin. It is widely believed to originate from tropical freshwater environments in Southeast Asia, particularly slow-flowing rivers and shaded forest streams in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, or Indonesia. In these natural habitats, it grows as a rheophyte or epiphyte, anchoring itself securely to submerged logs, water-splashed rocks, and exposed roots along wet banks, benefiting from a constant but gentle water flow.
Origin
South and Southeast Asia
Plant profile
- Placement
- No verified data available
- Botanical form
- No verified data available
- Growth
- No verified data available
- Substrate
- No verified data available
- Column fertilization
- No verified data available
- Root fertilization
- No verified data available
- Trimming
- No verified data available
- Propagation
- No verified data available
- Nutrients
- No verified data available
- Sensitivity
- No verified data available
- Layout role
- No verified data available
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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