Description

Java moss is the most versatile plant in the freshwater aquarium and the most used in shrimp tanks, where the biofilm accumulating among its filaments is the main food source for the young. It grows attached to any surface with minimal light and no CO2, and tolerates an enormous temperature range. It is often confused with Vesicularia dubyana, but they are different species.
Scientific name
Taxiphyllum barbieri
Position
All
Difficulty
Easy
Natural grow
Medium
Max height
5 cm

🌊 Water parameters

pH
5.5 - 8
GH
2 - 20
Temperature
18 - 28 °C
Current
Low or moderate

Requirements

Light requirements
Low
Light spectrum requirements
6000 - 8000 (Kelvin)
Require CO2
no
Soil requirements
Rocks or wood

Habitats

Sources

  • GBIF
    GBIF Secretariat (2026). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset. https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei. Consultado vía GBIF.org, 2026-08. Taxiphyllum barbieri.

Taxonomy verified.

Discrepancy: GBIF gives Taxiphyllum barbieri as a SYNONYM of Ectropothecium barbieri, which is the record the link points to. The profile keeps Taxiphyllum barbieri, the trade name of Java moss.

The aquarium care values (light, substrate, CO2 and water ranges) have no citable source: GBIF supports the taxonomy and distribution, not the cultivation. A source for plants is still to be agreed.