Java Moss - Vesicularia dubyana - is the best plant I have found for breeding tanks of livebearers. The requirements of this plant are so minimal. Planting in substrate is not necessary, only 1 watt per gallon (low light) is needed, temperature range is 68 to 86 degrees Farenheit, 2 to 15 gh, pH of 5.8 to 7.8. These requirements should just about fit any tank.

My Guppies just love this plant. They are always just grazing in the plant. Not sure what they are eating. But, I do not believe they are eating the plant, they do not seem to hurt the plants. My belief is that they are finding micro organism that live in the Moss. If my gups are not at the top eating flake food or chasing Brine Shrimp, they are in the Moss searching for food. They are always eating something. Experienced breeders say you can feed fry every 20 minutes, mine never seem to stop eating at the Moss.

Right now I am in the process of growing whole tanks full of Java Moss. Yes, I want the whole tank full of it. These are not show tanks, although I do show them off, this is where I breed my babies. I have started to leave the mother in a tank full of moss and there seems to be enough cover to give safe haven to the newborns. After a day of birthing, I do remove the mother or fry to another tank.

The birthing tanks are what I call plain tanks. These plain tanks are very simple, with very little gravel and no other decorations are used in them. The addition of gravel is a new thing for me. This addition is to increase my bio filtration. The only thing, other than the moss, is a box filter with floss and crushed coral and a heater. This makes it easy for cleaning time. Just take the moss out very slowly so I do not disturb the mulm on the bottom of the tank. Then, I vacuum the bottom very slowly as I remove 25% water, for changes.

I must warn you that this plant is not easy to get rid of once it is introduced into a community tank. The smallest little piece will grow to a large planting, so you might want to be careful in community tanks.

Easy to grow, livebearers seem to always be eating in it, what more could you ask for from a birthing tank plant. Give it a try I am sure your livebearers will love it.