Peacock Moss (Taxiphyllum spp.)

Peacock moss is sold as Taxiphyllum sp. and takes its name from the fronds, which branch in flat, overlapping tiers that people compare to a peacock feather. Grown well, the layering is obvious and the colour leans slightly blue-green. Moss trade names are not reliable identifications, the plant sold as peacock moss differs from supplier to supplier, and several Taxiphyllum forms are close to impossible to tell apart in an aquarium.

Aquarium care

• Attach it, do not plant it. Thread, fishing line or gel glue onto wood, rock or mesh, since roots are not involved.
• Low to moderate light gives the tidiest growth, and the layered form only shows when it is not smothered in algae.
• Divide the pad by hand to make more.
• Prefers cooler, well-oxygenated water and looks poor in warm, stagnant tanks.
• Trim the outer growth back so light reaches the layers underneath.

Suits nano aquascapes, shrimp colonies and breeding tanks where fry need somewhere to disappear into. Keep it away from large, boisterous fish that will tear the mat off its anchor.

Stock rotates, and plants are sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the moss collection.