Greater water-moss, Common water moss, Fontinalis moss
Family
Fontinalaceae (water-moss family)
Origin
Europe, Asia, Greenland, Africa and most of North America
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
60 cm
Temperature
5–22°C
pH
5.5–8.4
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low to medium light, tolerates shade; CO2 not needed
Flow
Gentle to strong; grows on rocks in fast streams
Care
A large aquatic moss found across Europe (including Britain), Asia, Greenland, Africa and much of North America. It grows in still and flowing fresh water: fixed to rocks in fast streams, attached to the bottom in lakes, or as floating masses in still water. It has branched, trailing stems up to about 60 cm long, with stiff, pointed leaves 4–9 mm long in three overlapping rows, forming big dark green clumps. Tie or glue it to stone or wood, or let it float. It thrives in shady spots and prefers slightly acidic water, tolerating up to about pH 8.4. It is traditionally used in cool-water aquariums; in tropical tanks Java moss is used instead, because willow moss does best in cooler water. Temperature and hardness are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontinalisantipyretica); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Spreads by runners and by detached pieces that take root. Pull off a clump and tie it to a new rock or piece of wood. Spore capsules are seldom seen.
Compatibility and tank mates
Good for coldwater tanks, ponds and stream-type tanks with minnows, sticklebacks or goldfish; shrimp graze it and fish spawn in it. Goldfish may pick at it. It struggles in warm tropical tanks.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
About Aquatic-Auctions
Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.