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Phoenix Moss (Fissidens fontanus)

Phoenix Moss (Fissidens fontanus)

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Size: Golf Ball (2 x 2)

Sub total:

$12.00

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Description
Aquatic Plants

Phoenix Moss

Upright feathery fronds with a finely branched texture unlike any other aquatic moss — exceptional shrimp habitat in low to medium light.

Unique Feathery Texture Upright Growth Habit Low to Medium Light No CO₂ Required Shrimp & Fry Friendly Hardscape Attachment Ready

Phoenix Moss (Fissidens fontanus) stands apart from other aquatic mosses in the hobby through its growth structure — rather than the flat, creeping mats of Java or Christmas moss, Phoenix Moss produces upright, feathery fronds with a finely branched, fern-like texture that creates genuine three-dimensional depth on driftwood, rock, and mesh surfaces. It is one of the more visually refined mosses available, and also one of the best functional ones — the dense, structured fronds accumulate biofilm prolifically and provide the kind of layered micro-cover that shrimp, Caridina, and fry actively seek out. It grows in low to medium light without CO₂, attaches reliably to most surfaces, and improves noticeably with consistent liquid fertilization.

Not Required CO₂
68–78°F Temperature
Low–Med Lighting

Growth & Behavior Over Time

Upright feathery fronds with fern-like branching — unlike flat creeping mosses, Phoenix Moss grows in a distinctly vertical, structured habit. Individual fronds fan outward with fine lateral branches that give the colony a layered, dimensional quality that reads very differently from other mosses at any scale. Slower growth than most aquatic mosses — Phoenix Moss grows more deliberately than Java or Christmas moss, which is part of what gives it its refined structure. Growth accelerates noticeably with liquid fertilization and moderate lighting, but patience is required in the early establishment phase. Attaches and spreads across hardscape surfaces — once attached to driftwood or stone, the moss spreads gradually across the surface, building coverage over time. The finer the attachment mesh or the more porous the hardscape, the faster and more evenly it establishes. Biofilm accumulation is exceptional — the fine, branched frond structure creates significantly more surface area than flat mosses of equivalent size, resulting in denser biofilm colonization that shrimp and fry forage through constantly and thoroughly. Prefers cooler water temperatures — as a native North American stream moss, Fissidens fontanus performs best at the cooler end of the freshwater range. Temperatures above 78°F slow growth noticeably and prolonged heat stress can cause decline. Responds well to liquid fertilization — regular dosing with a balanced liquid fertilizer produces visibly faster, denser, and more vibrant growth. As a non-rooted plant, Phoenix Moss draws all its nutrients from the water column, making consistent fertilization the single most impactful care step after lighting.

Getting Started

1 Attach to hardscape or moss mesh — use fine thread or super glue gel to secure portions of Phoenix Moss to driftwood, rock, or a moss mesh frame. Space the attachment points evenly to encourage uniform coverage as the moss spreads. Avoid over-binding — the fronds need room to extend upward naturally.
2 Place in low to medium light — Phoenix Moss grows well in shaded and moderate light positions. Avoid high intensity lighting directly overhead, which can encourage algae growth on the slow-developing fronds before the moss is dense enough to outcompete it.
3 Dose liquid fertilizer consistently — establish a regular fertilizer routine from the start. Phoenix Moss is noticeably more vigorous with consistent nutrient availability in the water column compared to unfertilized tanks, where growth can be frustratingly slow.
4 Trim to maintain structure and prevent layering — as the colony builds density, periodic trimming with fine scissors keeps the fronds upright and prevents deeper layers from being shaded out. Trimmings attach readily and can be used to start new growth elsewhere in the tank.
💡 Bonus Tip

Phoenix Moss attached to a small piece of driftwood or a flat stone makes an ideal freestanding shrimp feeding and shelter station — position it in an open area of the substrate where it can be observed easily, and shrimp will congregate on and around it throughout the day in a way that's genuinely rewarding to watch.

🌿
Browse more aquatic plants

Pair Phoenix Moss with Anubias, Bucephalandra, or fine-leafed stem plants for a layered, textural aquascape. Browse our Aquatic Plants collection.

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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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