Riccardia moss (Riccardia Chamedryfolia) is one of the most beautiful aquarium mosses. This is a new and quite rare species. It quickly grows to any substrate, for example, lava, tree or coconut. The plant is not too demanding on the conditions of detention and is suitable even for a beginner.
Description and appearance
Ricardia moss has an attractive decorative look. It spreads over the surface of the soil and can reach a height of four centimeters. As it grows, lush, bright green bushes form in the aquarium.
The plant has fleshy stems, palmate or cirrus branching and dark green leaves. It is worth noting that a lack of lighting can lead to loss of color. In this case, the leaves become pale.
Ricardia moss in an aquarium is best placed in the foreground, in a well-lit area. Beautiful thickets will help to create an original interior in a home reservoir. In addition, this moss is perfect as a habitat for small fish and shrimp.
A big plus is the ability of the plant to firmly attach to the base, so there is no need for additional transplants. Decorations such as driftwood or rock fragments are excellent planting material. They can also be used to design the background of the aquarium.
Origin of ricardia moss and natural growth
The birthplace of Riccardia Chamedryfolia is Southeast Asia. It was first discovered and studied in Taiwan in 2005. In fact, this is a whole genus of mosses, which includes about 300 different species. But in specialized stores, buyers are available only 2-3 varieties.
Water parameters
In general, the plant is quite unpretentious. For its maintenance does not require any special composition of water. The aquarist can use both purified by reverse osmosis and tap water.
The main requirement is crystal clear water. When contaminated, the smallest particles settle on the leaves of the plant, which leads to a halt in the growth and death of the plant.
Optimal water parameters:
- temperature 18-25 ° C;
- hardness dH 5-10 °;
- acidity pH 5.5-7.5.
When deviating from the given parameters, moss ricardia can significantly slow down growth. It is especially not recommended to greatly exceed the indicated temperature, as this can lead to the development of a number of diseases.
It is useful to conduct periodic water checks for nitrates and phosphates. It is desirable to keep their number at a minimum level, the optimal ratio is 1 to 15. At home, it is convenient to use drop tests for diagnosis. As a prophylaxis, frequent water changes and the use of filters are recommended.
It should be noted that when keeping moss in the aquarium, internal filters should not be used, since they create too strong a flow. Bottom or special drainage systems are best.
Lighting
Moderate or bright illumination of the home reservoir is recommended. Bright light contributes to a more intensive growth of moss. The total length of daylight should be about 10 hours. In general, the plant is not demanding on lighting conditions.
Moss ricardia: maintenance and care
Adaptation to new conditions can take a lot of time. On average, this period lasts about a month, and only after the plants get used to the equipped environment can slow growth be observed.
When kept in an aquarium, moss ricardia needs regular cutting with a sharpened blade. This procedure is very important, as the lower part of the plant can rot due to lack of light.
To accelerate the growth of moss, it is recommended to saturate the water with carbon dioxide. Fertilizing must be done very carefully and only if necessary. In a moss aquarium, it is advisable to contain other plants that can quickly process excess organics.
In order for the moss to grow well and the aquarium to look spectacular, it is necessary to carefully monitor the purity of the plant. Regular cleaning of the settled debris with a siphon will keep the plant in excellent condition. Sometimes it is difficult to clear the moss. In this case, it is convenient to use a thin tube instead of the standard siphon.
Ricardia moss can spontaneously spread throughout the aquarium. For this, small fragments are separated from the mother plant, which can be attached in unexpected places. This is not very convenient and can ruin a unique composition.
Compatibility with other inhabitants
Keeping moss with herbivorous fish is not recommended. It is better to place small inhabitants in the aquarium who can not spoil the leaves of the plant. It is not necessary to put various types of mollusks into the aquarium, which eat the roots and stems of the plant, which ultimately can lead to its death.
Shrimps are excellent inhabitants of moss thickets. The most popular among aquarists are amano and cherry species. They not only look beautiful against the background of a green carpet, but also effectively clean the leaves, eating particles settled on them. Such cleaning has a positive effect on plant health.
Ricardia moss appeared in aquariums not so long ago, but has already gained popularity among aquarists. It forms beautiful decorative thickets that serve not only as a decoration for a pond, but also as an excellent habitat for shrimp. A big plus of this type of moss is its unpretentiousness, which makes it a great choice even for beginners. Minimal maintenance will ensure the prosperity of the plant and the excellent appearance of the aquarium.