Spiky Moss

Spiky Moss is a branching aquarium moss sold as Taxiphyllum sp. 'Spiky'. The shoots branch irregularly and grow horizontally over driftwood and rock rather than upward, so the plant reads as a low, dark-green mat on hardscape. Secure small portions to wood or rock while they establish. Light is not critical, since the plant grows in everything from shaded corners to brightly lit tanks, and medium light keeps it compact. The optimum temperature range is 20-28 C, with pH 5-8 and carbonate hardness up to 14 dKH. This moss has low CO₂ demand; added CO₂ can support growth. Trim crowded portions and gently remove trapped debris. Propagation is straightforward: split the mat, cut off daughter shoots, and reattach the pieces. The species itself is unidentified; the plant is named for the stiff, spiky appearance of its shoot tips.