Java moss / Bogor moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri): grower data and names
A hardy South-East Asian moss that Tropica rates easy with low light and CO2 demand, growing 3–10 cm thick on wood, stone or equipment [1]. Aquasabi sells the same species name as Java moss [2].
Grower data
As published by Tropica Aquarium Plants[1]
- Light demand
- LowTropica: medium light demand is 0.5 W/L.
- CO2 demand
- LowTropica: medium need 6–14 mg/L; high approx. 15–25 mg/L.
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Difficulty
- Easy
| Type | Moss |
|---|---|
| Origin (grower) | Asia |
| Height after two months | 3 - 10+ cm |
| Placement | epiphyte[2] |
| Growth (second grower) | Slow[2] |
| Care height (second grower) | 1–5 cm[2] |
| Water hardness (maximum) | Hard[2] |
Name and range
A moss, so it is outside the World Checklist of Vascular Plants. The GBIF Backbone Taxonomy lists Taxiphyllum barbieri (Cardot & Copp.) Z.Iwats. as a synonym of Ectropothecium barbieri (Cardot & Copp.) J.T.Wynns, family Hypnaceae [3, 4].
What the grower data says
Tropica describes Bogor moss as a hardy plant that makes few demands on the water or light, and rates it easy with low light and CO2 demand [1]. Aquasabi agrees on easy, low light and no need for added CO2, and gives a maximum water hardness of “hard” [2]. The two disagree on growth: Tropica rates it medium, Aquasabi slow. They also give different heights, which here means thickness: Tropica says the moss becomes 3–10 cm thick, Aquasabi gives a care height of 1–5 cm [1, 2]. A moss’s thickness depends mostly on how often it is trimmed, which may explain part of the gap.
Placement and attaching
Mosses have no true roots, so they are grown on surfaces rather than planted. Tropica says this moss grows willingly on any surface, which makes it useful for covering stones and tree roots or hiding equipment, and recommends tying it on with fishing line or cotton thread until it has gained a hold [1]. Aquasabi lists it as an epiphyte, as a nano-tank plant and as a spawning plant [2]. Tropica also mentions its use in breeding tanks as cover for young fish [1].
Because it grows on hardscape rather than in the substrate, a moss takes all its nutrients from the water. Root tabs do nothing for it.
Growth and trimming
When growth becomes too luxuriant, Tropica’s advice is simply to cut it back with scissors [1]. Since Tropica also says the moss grows willingly on any surface [1], trimmings left in the tank can settle and grow where they land, so it is tidier to net them out.
Names: Bogor moss, Java moss and two genera
Aquarium mosses are a naming muddle, and this one is a good example.
- Trade names. Tropica sells Taxiphyllum barbieri as ‘Bogor Moss’ [1]; Aquasabi sells the same species name as “Java moss” [2].
- A second “Java moss”. The GBIF Backbone Taxonomy gives “Java Moss” (from the Catalogue of Life) as the English common name of Vesicularia dubyana, a separate accepted species in the same family [5]. Two plants sold under one common name may therefore be different mosses.
- The current name. The World Checklist of Vascular Plants does not cover mosses. In the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Taxiphyllum barbieri (Cardot & Copp.) Z.Iwats. is a synonym of Ectropothecium barbieri (Cardot & Copp.) J.T.Wynns, in the family Hypnaceae [3, 4].
Tropica’s origin field gives “Asia”, and its description South-East Asia [1].
Questions
How do I attach moss to wood or stone?
Tropica's advice is to tie it on with fishing line or cotton thread until it has gained a hold on the décor [1].
Similar plants
- Anubias barteri var. nana: grower data, planting and namesrhizome, epiphyte / foreground / midgroundLight: LowCO2: LowEasy
- Java fern (Microsorum pteropus): grower data and the name changerhizome, epiphyte / midground / backgroundLight: LowCO2: LowEasy
- Riccia fluitans: a floating liverwort, by the grower datamoss, floatingLight: MediumCO2: MediumMedium
Related guides
- CO2 & lightWhat low, medium and high light and CO2 mean in grower plant dataTropica's light and CO2 ratings, the definitions behind them, the three different CO2 bands on its own pages, and how Aquasabi's categories line up.
- Algae & problemsHair, thread and fuzz algae: telling them apart and what helpsGreen filamentous algae in planted tanks: how thread, hair, fuzz and Cladophora differ, the light, nitrate and CO2 triggers growers name, and the grower remedies.
Compare it with the other profiled plants in the plant parameter table.
Sources
- Taxiphyllum barbieri 'Bogor Moss' (plant details, 003POR). Tropica Aquarium Plants. Type, origin, growth, height, light, CO2 and difficulty; description: hardy, few demands on water or light, 3–10 cm thick, grows on any surface, attach with fishing line or cotton, trim with scissors. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Taxiphyllum barbieri Java moss (Aquarium Plant Profile). Aquasabi. Placement: epiphyte, nano aquarium, spawning plant; easy; slow; low light; hardness up to hard; 1–5 cm; CO2 not required. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Taxiphyllum barbieri (Cardot & Copp.) Z.Iwats. (GBIF Backbone Taxonomy record 2682670). GBIF Secretariat. Status: synonym; accepted name Ectropothecium barbieri. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Ectropothecium barbieri (Cardot & Copp.) J.T.Wynns (GBIF Backbone Taxonomy record 12264430). GBIF Secretariat. Status: accepted; Bryophyta, Hypnales, Hypnaceae. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Vesicularia dubyana (Müll.Hal.) Broth. (GBIF Backbone Taxonomy record 5283653). GBIF Secretariat. Accepted species in Hypnaceae, a different moss; vernacular names (from Catalogue of Life) include Java Moss and Singapore Moss: https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5283653/vernacularNames. Accessed October 12, 2026.