Fissidens Nobilis Moss Care Guide

Common Name(s)Fissidens Fontanus
Scientific NameFissidens Fontanus
OriginSoutheast Asia
Ease of GrowingEasy to medium difficulty
PlacementTank edges
Height4 in. (Maximum)
pH6-8
Temperature65° – 77° F (18.3° – 25° C)
Growth RateSlow
PropogationRhizome Division
Light RequirementLow-Moderate
CO2 RequirementLow-Moderate

What Is Fissidens Nobilis?

Fissidens nobilis is a rare, easy-to-grow aquatic moss hailing from Southeast Asia.

This moss is especially easy to take care of  due to its hardy nature, and comes with multiple benefits.

In addition to being visually pleasing, moss can also be a habitat for certain aquatic wildlife, creating a densely-carpeted atmosphere in your tank reminiscent of an underwater forest.

Other species may prefer snacking on your moss, and some will even use it for breeding, like shrimp, who often use aquarium moss as a safe location to lay their eggs.

The benefits dont stop there though, as adding this moss to your tank can also help improve water quality.

Aside from adding a beautiful touch of flora to your aquarium tank, F. Nobilis serves multiple functions, such as acting as a habitat, breeding ground, and source of food.

Due to their high tolerance and adaptability for averse environmental conditions, this moss is perfect for both experienced and beginner aquarium aficionados alike.

Fissidens Nobilis
Fissidens Nobilis. Edited. mobile_gnome, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Fissidens Nobilis Care

Fissidens Nobilis is very easy to grow in an aquarium, as long as you ensure optimal growing conditions.

One of the most important factors to maintain is you tank’s water quality, as this moss species is extremely sensitive to changes in your tank’s conditions.

Another key factor to keep track of is sunlight exposure.

F. Nobilis doesn’t need a lot of light, but it needs at least 30 lux to experience the best growing conditions.

Don’t worry about substrate preference, this moss will grow on any hard surface you put it on!

This moss is so low-maintenance, it doesn’t need any trimming or pruning.

Of course, if you’d like to prune your moss in order to maintain a more orderly tank, there won’t be any long-term damage to your F. Nobilis.

Fissidens Nobilis Temperature

Phoenix Moss will thrive in water temperatures between 65 and 77 °F.

Thanks to their resistant nature, this moss is capable of withstanding temperatures slightly outside of its ideal range while being able to maintainin consistent growth.

While it can endure freezing temperatures, this can only be done for short periods, and repeated exposure to excessively low temperatures will still result in the death of your moss.

It is important to remember that while F. Nobilis can tolerate some of the mistakes of a beginner, this moss is still heavily affected by its environment, and should be kept in conditions as close to ideal as possible.

Fissidens Nobilis pH

Fissidens Nobilis prefers water with a pH range from 6.0-8.0.

While they are able to endure conditions that are slightly more alkaline, F. Nobilis should be kept in the optimal growing range whenever possible.

How Fast Does Fissidens Nobilis Grow?

Fissidens Nobilis grows at a slow to medium pace of approximately 1 cm per month, with experienced care and a proper routine slightly increasing overall effectiveness.

This species of moss has an average lifespan of 2-3 years, however, it can live up to 5 years if taken care of properly.

What Is The Maximum Height For Fissidens Nobilis?

Fissidens Nobilis can reach about 4 inches tall at their maximum height.

As they are slow growers, F. Nobilis rarely reaches its maximum height without extremely experienced caretaking.

Does Fissidens Nobilis Need CO2 Injections To Grow?

F. Nobilis do not need C02 injections in order to grow, however, routine addition of CO2 into your tank can encourage healthy growth in your moss and other species that require carbon dioxide for respiration.

Avoid using artificial/chemical fertilizers, F. Nobilis does just fine without any supplementatiton. 

Fissidens Nobilis Propagation

If you are interested in propagating your F. Nobilis, rhizome division is the best method of reproduction.

This can be done very simply by cutting a full-grown F. Nobilis plant into several smaller plants.

These small moss bundles should be in one fixed area, tied together by a non-harmful material of your choice (we prefer fishing lines or a bit of glue).

Substrate preferences are rather flexible, as this moss will grow free-flaoting or attached to any hard surface in your aquarium.

At this point, we recommend avoiding moving your new moss plants, since the roots have not had ample time to properly establish.

After a few days, you should notice your new F. Nobilis plants taking root, at which point they are a brand-new moss plant!

If you are interested in a moss carpet made of F. Nobilis, be patient, as it will take some time for the growth to fully develop.

While this can be done via propagation, we recommend that less-patient aquarium owners purchase the moss they need to fill their tank, considering the slow growth rate of F. Nobilis.

Where Can I Find Fissidens Nobilis For Sale?

Fissidens Nobilis can be purchased via an assortment of independent retailers, online storefronts, as well as aquarium stores.

Prices average between $10-15, with larger growths and different color variations  retailing for slightly larger amounts.

Fissidens Nobilis vs Fissidens Fontanus

While they may be from the same family, there are several major distinctions between Fissidens Fontanus and Fissidens Nobilis.

Both moss species may seem similar to the untrained eye, however, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

These moss species, while family, are more reminiscent of distant cousins than direct kin.

Fissidens Fontanus, originating from North Amerrica, are much more common and easier to find than F. Nobilis, a particularly rare relative often found in South America.

While F. Fontanus is nicknamed, “Phoenix Moss,” F. Nobilis does not have any other common names, likely attributed to its rarity.

Another major distinction between the two species is their growth patterns, as  F. Nobilis moss grows larger and shaggier than F. Fontanus, which frequently take on fountain-like appearance.

F. Nobilis and F. Fontanus are both very hardy and can survive in almost any freshwater tank, however, due to the fact that it grows larger than F. Fontanus, F. Nobilis is best placed in larger tank environments, which will allow the moss to grow to its maximum potential.