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Flame Moss (Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame')

Flame Moss (Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame')

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Size: Golf Ball (2 x 2)

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$6.25

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Description
Aquatic Plants

Flame Moss

A slow-growing aquatic moss whose fronds twist and grow vertically, creating a flickering flame-like silhouette that is unlike any other moss in the catalog.

Distinctive Upward Flame Silhouette Fronds Twist as They Grow Attaches to Hardscape No CO2 Required Low to Medium Light Shrimp Safe

Flame Moss (Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame') earns its name from a growth pattern found in no other moss in the catalog: the fronds grow upward in a twisting, irregular spiral that creates a silhouette closely resembling a tongue of flame when the moss is viewed from the front. Where Java Moss spreads horizontally and drapes loosely, and Christmas Moss fans outward in flat, fern-like sprays, Flame Moss grows vertically with a tightly twisted, pointed character that makes it read as a distinct structural element rather than a surface covering. Attached to a piece of driftwood or stone it builds over months into a dense, upright mass of twisted green fronds with clear height and visual presence at the scale of a midground plant. It grows slowly and is the most deliberately architectural moss in the catalog. Fully safe with all Neocaridina, Caridina, and snails.

Not RequiredCO2
65-80FTemperature
Low-MedLighting

Growth Form & Behaviour

Fronds grow upward in a twisting spiral -- the defining flame silhouette - each frond grows vertically rather than laterally, twisting slightly as it extends upward and tapering to a point that gives the individual frond its flame-like appearance. A dense clump of multiple fronds growing simultaneously produces the collective flame silhouette -- dozens of individually twisted, upward-pointing fronds that together read as a flickering, layered flame shape with clear height and a pointed, animated top edge. Grows slower than most other mosses -- patience required for full effect - Flame Moss grows at a noticeably slower rate than Java Moss or Christmas Moss. The trade-off is that the vertical, twisted growth form that makes it distinctive requires time to develop -- a newly introduced portion looks sparse and irregular for the first few weeks, then progressively builds into a denser, taller, more clearly flame-shaped mass as new fronds develop behind and alongside established ones. Full development of the characteristic silhouette takes two to three months from initial attachment. Attaches to hardscape and grows as a midground specimen - unlike mosses primarily used as carpet or surface cover, Flame Moss is most effective attached to a piece of driftwood or stone and allowed to build upward as a self-contained midground specimen -- a distinct plant element with height, shape, and presence rather than a backdrop or surface treatment. Small rocks, compact driftwood branches, or the narrow upper surfaces of larger hardscape pieces are all ideal attachment points. Dense frond structure provides exceptional biofilm surface area - the tight, three-dimensional mass of twisted fronds that an established Flame Moss clump produces accumulates biofilm throughout its interior as well as on all exposed frond surfaces. Shrimp disappear into the interior of the clump to graze and are visible entering and exiting from the sides -- a behaviour pattern that makes a well-established Flame Moss clump one of the most engaging shrimp observation points in the tank. CO2 improves growth rate but is not required for the distinctive form - the characteristic upward-twisting growth form develops with or without CO2 supplementation -- CO2 simply accelerates the pace at which the moss builds to its full effect. Without CO2 the flame silhouette takes longer to develop but is no less distinctive once established.

Getting Started

1Attach to a compact piece of hardscape with cotton thread or super glue gel - press portions of Flame Moss against the attachment surface and secure with black cotton thread wrapped loosely around the moss and hardscape, or apply a small amount of gel-type super glue to the dry hardscape surface, press the moss firmly against it, and allow 30 seconds before submerging. The moss attaches to the surface within two to three weeks and the thread dissolves or can be removed once attachment is confirmed.
2Position where vertical growth is unobstructed - Flame Moss needs clear space above the attachment point for its upward growth to develop the full flame silhouette. Avoid positions directly under overhanging driftwood or adjacent to plants that will shade or physically obstruct upward frond extension. Midground positions on top of or on the face of hardscape with clear water column above are ideal.
3Low to medium light -- avoid excess that drives algae into the frond mass - excessive light encourages algae to establish inside the dense frond mass where it is extremely difficult to remove. Low to medium light maintains healthy growth at a pace that keeps the moss clean. If algae becomes an issue inside the clump, temporarily increase flow across the moss and reduce photoperiod duration.
4Fertilise lightly and consistently - balanced liquid fertiliser dosed two to three times weekly supports steady frond development. Flame Moss is not a heavy feeder but consistent low-level nutrient availability produces more uniform, denser growth than intermittent fertilisation.
Bonus Tip

Flame Moss attached to the top surface of a large, flat stone positioned in the midground -- with the moss growing upward from the stone surface and the stone providing a clear visual base -- creates the most compositionally effective way to use this plant in a layout. The horizontal stone base and the vertical flame silhouette above it form a simple, clearly readable composition that works as a standalone focal point in a minimalist layout or as a textural counterpoint to the horizontal lines of substrate and carpet plants in a more complex one.

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Browse more aquatic plants

Pair Flame Moss with Java Moss, Anubias, or Bucephalandra for a complete hardscape planting. Browse our Aquatic Plants collection.

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Policies & Disclaimers
Aquatic plants

Policies & Disclaimers

Choosing your portions, using the plant promotion, and knowing what to expect when your plants arrive.

Buy 2 Get 1 Free: add all three

Choose three eligible plant items and add all three to your cart, including the plant you want free. The discount applies automatically at checkout; no code is needed. Adding only two items does not add a third plant for you.

Mix and match eligible varieties or choose multiple quantities of the same eligible plant. The least expensive eligible item is free. For example, with eligible items priced at $5, $8 and $10, the $5 item is discounted and the plant subtotal is $18 before shipping and tax.

The offer repeats for complete qualifying groups: three eligible items give one free, six give two free, and nine give three free. The current offer has no per-order use limit. Items must be included in the promotion; Plant Weights and other non-plant accessories do not qualify.

An item means the sale unit in your cart. One bunch, cup, portion or multipack counts as one item when purchased at quantity one, not one item for every stem, leaf or bulb inside it. Check the listing and selected option for what each unit contains.

Check the discount and quantities in your order summary before paying. Other promotions can affect the final discount; multiple product discounts do not stack on the same item. This is an online checkout offer, not an automatic in-store POS discount.

Portions, sizes & what you receive

Read this plant’s description and selected option for its sale format, portion size and any stated stem or plant count. A bunch, loose portion, rooted plant, bulb, cup and mounted plant are different products; there is no single size or count that applies to every plant we sell.

A mature height or spread describes potential growth in an aquarium, not the size shipped. Use the advertised purchase portion to plan your order. A full carpet, dense moss-covered surface or established group in a photograph may require several portions and time to grow.

Do not assume that a pot, planting weight, rock, wood, substrate or other display accessory is included unless the listing explicitly says it is. If the received portion appears different from the selected listing, photograph it with its packaging and contact us promptly.

Photos, color & natural variation

Photos illustrate the named plant or variety and its appearance. Living plants vary in leaf size, shape, root development, branching and fullness; a photo of an established specimen is not a measurement of each portion shipped. The product description and selected option remain the reference for your purchase.

Aquarium lighting, camera settings and the growing environment affect perceived color. Red or pink varieties can look different under different lighting and growing conditions. Do not use a photograph alone to select a plant’s care requirements or expect immediate mature coloration.

Above-water growth & the transition underwater

Some aquarium plants can grow with their leaves above water as well as submerged. These growth forms can have different leaf shapes and appearances. New underwater growth may look different from older leaves as the plant adjusts. This explanation does not mean every plant is supplied in the same growth form; follow any specific information in the listing.

Leaf loss or softening after a change of environment is often called melt. Look at the plant as a whole and its growing points rather than judging only one older leaf. Do not assume that a damaged plant is simply transitioning or wait for new growth before reporting an arrival problem.

This is background care information, not a new exclusion from the Live Arrival Guarantee. Arrival damage is assessed under the existing policy.

Planting: match the method to the plant

For stem plants, separate the stems and plant with room between them. For rosette plants, position the roots in the substrate without burying the crown. Remove transport bindings and growing material carefully where appropriate.

For Anubias and Java fern, keep the rhizome exposed rather than burying it. Moss can be divided into smaller portions and attached to suitable hardscape. Floating plants belong at the surface. Bulbs and tubers need species-specific planting depth; do not assume every type should be fully buried.

Keep plants damp while working. Follow the individual listing for placement and care, especially when a plant has unusual requirements. These are planting tips, not additional conditions for a claim.

Growth, tank conditions & choosing companions

Plan for the plant’s mature size, available light and the space it will occupy. A background stem plant, slow-growing rhizome plant and floating plant serve different roles; a purchase portion does not instantly create a finished aquascape.

Use the listing’s guidance on light, nutrients and carbon dioxide rather than assuming every plant needs the same setup. Growth rate and final appearance depend on aquarium conditions and maintenance. More light alone is not a substitute for a balanced setup.

Consider animals that dig, uproot or eat plants before choosing placement. Floating growth can shade plants below it, and fast-growing plants may need thinning. Observe new growth and make gradual, species-appropriate adjustments.

Hitchhikers & introducing plants

Our existing policy does not guarantee pest-free arrival. Plants can carry tiny organisms or eggs, including snail eggs, despite inspection. Inspect new plants before introduction, and consider separate observation or quarantine to protect an established aquarium.

Do not assume a plant is sterile, pesticide-free or safe for a particular treatment unless the listing explicitly provides that information. Sensitive leaves, mosses and roots can respond differently to dips. Research the exact plant and any treatment before using it; do not apply an animal medication or a strong dip by default.

Arrival problems: document and contact us promptly

For damaged or dead plants, email support@superiorshrimpaquatics.com within two hours of the carrier’s recorded delivery time. Use the email address on the order and include all arrival concerns in your first message.

Send clear photographs of the affected plants and their packaging, with the shipping label or invoice visible for identification. Photograph packaging damage before unpacking or discarding materials, and consult the full guarantee’s documentation instructions. Keep the original photos.

The current guarantee covers aquatic plants but excludes promotional or free items. That existing exclusion also matters when ordering a free promotional plant. Claims and available resolutions are assessed under the full policy; this tab does not expand or reduce coverage.

Shipping your plants

Plants ship Monday and Tuesday, with Wednesday shipping available for 2-day or overnight services. Orders remain subject to stock, fulfillment timing and weather holds under our shipping policy. A shipping-service estimate is not a guaranteed dispatch date.

Plan to receive the package promptly and inspect it on arrival. Review the full shipping information for weather precautions, transit expectations and delivery issues. If your cart also contains live animals, review the shipping requirements for those animals as well.

Returns & order questions

Check the plant name, portion, quantity and selected option before completing checkout. Contact us before sending anything back; returns require prior written authorization under our existing policy. The full return policy explains the applicable conditions.

This tab explains the existing offer and policies alongside plant-care guidance. Care tips do not create new claim requirements or exclusions. Refer to the linked policies for complete terms.

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