Care at a glance
Feathery, slightly iridescent green. Slower than Java/Christmas, patient growers are rewarded with one of the most ornamental mosses available.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to aquatic mosses.
Moss
Peacock Moss
Taxiphyllum sp. 'Peacock'
AsiaIntermediate
TL;DR, Peacock Moss
Feathery, slightly iridescent green. Slower than Java/Christmas, patient growers are rewarded with one of the most ornamental mosses available.
Peacock Moss (Taxiphyllum sp. 'Peacock') is a moss aquatic moss native to Asia. Light: medium. CO₂: recommended. Growth rate: slow to medium. Target 20–26 °C and pH 5.5–7.5. Attach via wood, stone, mesh. Typical use: mid-density carpets and feathery rocks. Trimming: Every 4–6 weeks
Tank fit
The parameters that decide whether peacock moss fits in your tank.
Parameters
15 °C20 °C25 °C30 °C
4.05.06.07.08.0
Low
Medium
High
None
Optional
Recommended
Required
Slow
Medium
Fast
V. fast
Still
Low
Medium
High
V. high
Profile
Family
Hypnaceae
Type
Moss
Attachment
Wood, stone, mesh
Typical use
Mid-density carpets and feathery rocks
Trimming
Every 4–6 weeks
Habitat
Shaded splash zones of subtropical Asian streams
Asia
Who it lives with
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Pro tips
Hard-won lessons from the tank.
One of the most beautiful aquatic mosses — patient growers are rewarded with a feathery, almost shimmering carpet over stones. Slow growth means it's low-maintenance once established.
Things to watch for
What can go wrong and how to spot it.
Things to watch for
Failure modes, in order of how dramatic the fix is.
Algae
Algae issues
Like all mosses — algae attaches if water stagnates.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes
1) Impatience — checking it weekly and pulling at unattached pieces. 2) Putting it in a high-flow zone before attachment — washes away.
How to care for it
The practical routine, read top to bottom.
Tying / attachment
Attach to wood or stone in thin layers. Slow to attach (8–10 weeks) — patience required.
Tank setup
Medium light, CO₂ recommended for full pattern development. Stable temperature 20–26 °C.
Background
Where it comes from, how it behaves, and the variants you'll see at retail.
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In the wild
Where it lived before it came home.
Origin · Asia
Asian streams.
Emersed form
Rare emersed.
Variants & identification
The named cultivars and the lookalikes worth flagging.
Variants
Only the named selection.
Identification
Feathery, slightly iridescent fronds with a peacock-feather pattern. Mid-density.
Sister species
Flame, Spiky — same Taxiphyllum genus.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
How do you attach Peacock Moss in an aquarium?
Attachment: Wood, stone, mesh Typical aquascaping use: Mid-density carpets and feathery rocks
Does Peacock Moss need CO₂?
CO₂: recommended. Light: medium. Growth rate: slow to medium.
What water parameters does Peacock Moss need?
Peacock Moss (Taxiphyllum sp. 'Peacock') tolerates 20–26 °C and pH 5.5–7.5. Flow: low to medium.
How do you trim Peacock Moss?
Every 4–6 weeks
Is Peacock Moss beginner-friendly?
Difficulty: 3/5. Intermediate, stable parameters and a mature tank matter.
Sources & further reading
More mosses
See all mossesAdjacent specimens in the catalogue.
Cross-references
Build the rest of the tank.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this moss with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
