Bucephalandra (alle soorten)
Bucephalandra spp. — 30+ soorten, 200+ variëteiten
🌍 Borneo · endemic to fast-flowing island streams
Uncommon CO₂ Optional Diff.: ★★★
📏 Foreground/Midground — on hardscape
📈 Very slow (1 leaf per 2-3 weeks)
Genus of 30+ species and 200+ trade varieties. All share same basic care. Slow-growing, rheophytic. Iridescent leaves with white spots (normal photosynthesis — not disease). Grows on hardscape. Rhizome NEVER buried. New leaves most colourful. Popular varieties: Green Wavy, Kedagang, Brownie Ghost 2011 (rarest/most expensive), Brownie Blue/Phoenix/Athena/Phantom, Deep Purple, Red Mini, Godzilla, Cascade King, Rainbow Frost, Lamandau, Theia, Purple Blue, Kir Royale.
⚗️ Water parameters
⚙️ Fe
0.05–0.3 ppm
Fe for colour intensity of new leaves
💡 PAR
10–100 µmol
Low light OK — less algae risk
🪨 Hardscape — NEVER bury rhizome
🇳🇱 Dutch Style
Accent plant on hardscape in Dutch style. Brownie Ghost 2011 is the most sought-after variety in the Dutch community.
💡 Tips
- Rhizome NEVER buried — will rot
- Fe dosing for colour intensity of new leaves
- New leaves most colourful — old leaves fade
- Low light = less algae (keep low PAR < 50µmol)
- Cooler water (< 26°C) reduces melt stress
- Brownie Ghost 2011 = rarest and most sought-after variant
- Algae attack = biggest danger for this slow grower
- Attach with fishing line, thread, superglue (cyanoacrylate) or rubber bands
🔍 Problems
⚠ Leaves melt
→ Normal adaptation emersed→submerged on purchase (takes 4-6 weeks)
⚠ Algae on leaves
→ Too much light or insufficient water flow
⚠ No new leaves
→ Insufficient nutrition or CO₂
Fissidens fontanus
Fissidens fontanus
🌍 North America · Europe · cosmopolitan
Common CO₂ Optional Diff.: ★★★
📏 Foreground/hardscape
📈 Slow
Most common Fissidens in the aquarium hobby. Flat feathery moss that attaches excellently to stone and wood. Low requirements. Ideal for nano aquariums and as greening on hardscape. Grows slowly but forms dense green mats.
⚗️ Water parameters
🌿 CO₂
5–20 ppm
Optional — grows without too
🪨 Hardscape — attach with thread or glue
🇳🇱 Dutch Style
Reliable moss for hardscape in Dutch style and biotope aquariums.
💡 Tips
- Attach to hardscape with fishing line, nylon thread or superglue
- Not in direct strong light — prefers some shade
- CO₂ greatly accelerates growth
- Also grows in salt/brackish water (rare for a moss)
- Lowest light requirements of all aquarium mosses
🔍 Problems
⚠ Not growing
→ Insufficient nutrition or too cold
