Java Moss (Vesicularia Dubyana), is an unusual plant because it does not have roots to speak of, will sink to the bottom, will grow like weeds under the crappiest conditions (no gravel, low light, no fertilizer, most water temp ranges and most PH ranges) and doesn't look too shabby either ;).
What's most is, the Moss loves stagnant water and lots of nitrite. In fact it will THRIVE on high nitrite levels and left over food and fish poopies.
So add the two above and you can see how Java Moss would be the PERFECT plant for a betta jar: NO gravel, stagnant water, low light (in many cases) and LOTS of nitrite! Your betta's bowl is a Java Moss heaven.
OK, so the stuff will grow and probably do pretty well. That brings us to the next (most important question): Will it clean the water? And if so, how well?
A few more things betta keepers should know about Java Moss:
1)No, Java Moss can not REPLACE water changes! You will still have to do them but the water will stay healthier in between them :).
2)Yes Java Moss will sink on its own and stay at the bottom, no need to use plant weights or rocks/gravel
3)No, it will not easily attach itself to a plastic smooth surface especially with weekly disturbances when you do your water change
4)s if you are using a tank with gravel, it may attach itself to the gravel, rock or driftwood and soon take over your tank LOL.
5)No, it will not make it harder to do your weekly jar water changes. I have found that the Java Moss always falls in the fishnet first, followed by the betta who ends up lying on top of that java mattress :). Allowing you to change the water in the jar and then gently dump both plant and betta back in. Plant will slowly sink down, betta will oftentimes hide in it.
6)NO it will not tear the betta's delicate fins. Java Moss is very soft and has no pointy parts which could cause the fins to tear. :)
7)No, it will not make it hard for bettas to find their foods. My bettas have been able to find even small food particles fallen in the moss and ate them. Even if they did not, the Java Moss will enjoy the extra food :).
8)No it will not make the water dirty or foul it. Although Java Moss does produce plant byproduct, it usually gets taken care of when you do the water change. Small dead plant particles will be flushed through the net while the rest of the plant is saved.
9)java Moss will grow fast, so don't put too much in the jar, make sure to leave LOTS of room for Mr. Betta. Do not suffocate him in a huge pile of Moss! if it grows too much, discard the extra.,No need to prune etc, just tear off extra and toss.
10)Java Moss is easy to divide. Simply take your clump, pull a bit with your fingers (it will come apart immediately) and place it in the jar and Voila! You are done.
warning: if a betta is sick do not use the same moss for another betta, as plants will carry bacteria from one jar to the next. So assign each betta his own plant and discard any plant that has been exposed to a sick fish.
lol.. i took out mine already.. too messy.. maybe i put too much..
if i put 1 string can asborb so much? :no:
hOw doeS it Look LiKe?? :lol: