by Richard Lien
photos and text contributed by members of SCAPE
Mosses
Name: Java, Taiwan, Christmas, Peacock, Flame, Singapore, Weeping and Willow
Lighting: Low (most) to medium/high for Willow and a few others
Difficulty: Easy (most Mosses) to Moderate (Willow)
Placement: All over the tank, can be left floating or tied/attached to objects in tank
Pros: Easy to grow, can put it anywhere in the tank, (shrimp friendly = shrimp love to climb on and search it all day long. It provides microorganisms and biofilm for shrimp of all ages to feed on).
Cons: Can overgrow in the tank if conditions are to its liking (lighting and water flow).
Fissidens
Name: Fissiden fontanus
Lighting: Medium-High
Difficulty: Moderate
Placement: Foreground or attached to objects in tank
Pros: Has fine draping fronds that look nice, and is shrimp friendly
Cons: More difficult conditions needed to care for
Subwassertang
Name: Subwassertang
Lighting: All levels
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Placement: All over the tank but best in foreground of attached to objects in tank
Pros: Rhizomes grow in a nice stratified pattern, grows in low light, and is shrimp friendly
Cons: It can quickly react to water quality: poor=dead
Pellia
Name: Pellia (Monosolenium tenerum)
Lighting: Medium
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Placement: All over the tank but best in foreground or attached to objects in the tank
Pros: Rhizomes grow in a nice stratified pattern, and is shrimp friendly
Cons: Must become established but an easy grow afterwards, require at least med. lighting
Mini Pellia
Name: Mini Pellia/Coral Moss (Riccardia sp.)
Lighting: Medium/High
Difficulty: Medium
Placement: Foreground or attached to objects in tank
Pros: Has a much more intricate look since the rhizomes grow small and compact, and shrimp will climb on it in search of food
Cons: Tends to be slow growing, and does best (growth/shape) in high lighting
Marimo balls
Name: Marimo/Algae Balls (Cladophora aegagrophila)
Lighting: Medium
Difficulty: Moderate
Placement: Foreground/Midground
Pros: Liked for its round shape and various sizes, shrimp like to search them, and It provides microorganisms
Cons: They need to be cleaned and rotated routinely or else debris will attach and shape may be lost
Anubias
Name: Anubias v. Petite, Golden, Coffeefolia, Nana
Lighting: Low/Medium
Difficulty: Easy, do not bury the rhizome
Placement: small plants (foreground, larger (midground)
Pros: Has prominent/attractive leaves of various (size, shape and color), easy to grow
Cons: Slow growing so algae can develop on it
Java Ferns
Java fern Laced (Microsorum pteropus ‘Windeløv’)
Java Ferns Reg. ( Microsorum pteropus)
Lighting: Low/Medium
Difficulty: Easy, do not bury the rhizome
Placement: small plants (foreground, larger (midground) and can be attached to objects in tank
Pros: Has attractive leaves of various (size and shape), easy to grow
Cons: Slow growing so algae can develop on it
Pearlweed/HM
Name: Baby Tears/Pearlweed/HM (Hemianthus micranthemoides)
Lighting: Medium
Difficulty: Moderate
Placement: foreground (floor), midground or floating
Pros: Vibrant green color with full growth, can be place in most locations and undemanding, shrimp friendly
Cons: Can grow quickly with higher lighting
HC
Name: Dwarf Baby Rears/HC (Hemianthus callitrichoides)
Lighting: Medium/High
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Placement: foreground or attached to rock
Pros: Its small size and vibrant green color makes this a favorite for use in the foreground, shrimp friendly
Cons: Requires higher lighting and maintenance for best look
Frogbit
Name: Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)
Lighting: Low/Medium
Difficulty: Low
Placement: floaters
Pros: Very hardy, resembles small lily pads, shrimp like to climb on the long roots
Cons: Grows quickly in higher lighting, may cover the top of the tank and cut off gas exchange and light penetration (problem only if overgrown)
Editors note: Most any freshwater aquarium plant may be kept with freshwater shrimp, however there are various factors to be considered. In general most hobbyists prefer plants that are suitable for a low tech tank that does not require intensive light or added C02 because it is easier to keep a low tech tank stable and shrimp are sensitive to unstable conditions. The size of the plant is another consideration for shrimp tanks which are generally small aquariums. Plants with very small leaves or moss like plants give you more aquascaping possibilities in a small space.
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