AquariumSetup

attached plant · medium

Christmas moss: height, light, CO₂ & fish that eat it

Vesicularia montagnei 'Christmas' typically grows 1.2–2 in tall (3–5 cm) and grows tied to wood or rock. It's rated for low–high light, and injected CO₂ is not needed. Temperature 59–86°F, pH 5–7.

Try it in the tank builderSee which fish eat it

How tall it grows

Grows 1.2–2 in · water depth by tank5 gal✓7 in10 gal · 20 long✓9 in20 high · 40 breeder✓13 in29 gal✓15 in55 · 75 · 125 gal✓18 in180 gal✓22 in

Each bar is roughly the water depth a tank leaves above the substrate. The teal band is the plant's reported height range. ✓ fits, trim means it can reach the surface, ✕ means it typically outgrows the water.

Will it fit your tank?

Check it with your fish →

Quick facts

Grows to
1.2–2 in (3–5 cm)
Height basis
Tropica 2-month avg (listed 3-5+)
Where it goes
attached
Light
low–high light
Injected CO₂
not needed
Growth
slow–medium
Difficulty
medium
Temperature
59–86°F
pH
5–7
Hardness
not published
Feeds through
not published
Also sold as
Christmas tree moss; sometimes sold as Java moss (per Flowgrow)

Planting tip: Tie to roots or stones with thin nylon thread; it attaches readily.

Fish and Christmas moss

Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: plant-eating and digging named in each fish's sources, plus temperature and pH overlap.

Eats it (9)

May uproot it (0)

  • Not rooted, so digging fish can't pull it up.

Different water (3)

Fish that leave it alone and share its water (94)
Pearl GouramiAngelfishGerman Blue RamBolivian RamKribensisBronze CoryPanda CoryPygmy CoryJulii CoryBristlenose PlecoOtocinclusKuhli LoachHillstream LoachSiamese Algae EaterCherry ShrimpAmano ShrimpMystery SnailGlowlight TetraLemon TetraCongo TetraBlack Neon TetraChili RasboraBoesemani RainbowfishDwarf Neon RainbowfishAfrican Dwarf FrogPea PufferGhost ShrimpIridescent SharkBala SharkRed-Tail SharkRainbow SharkOscarChinese Algae EaterNeon TetraCardinal TetraBlack Skirt TetraSerpae TetraRummy-nose TetraEmber TetraHarlequin RasboraZebra DanioCelestial Pearl DanioWhite Cloud Mountain MinnowCherry BarbTiger BarbGuppyEndler's LivebearerMollyPlatySwordtailBettaDwarf GouramiHoney GouramiHead-and-tail-light TetraBleeding Heart TetraDiamond TetraSilver Tip TetraPristella TetraPenguin TetraSilver HatchetfishMarbled HatchetfishLambchop RasboraPearl DanioGiant DanioScissortail RasboraGold BarbRosy BarbOdessa BarbDenison BarbVariatus PlatyThree-spot GouramiMoonlight GouramiSparkling GouramiParadise FishCockatoo Dwarf CichlidFiremouth CichlidElectric Blue AcaraDiscusBlood Parrot CichlidPeppered CorySterbai CoryClown PlecoPictus CatfishGlass CatfishUpside-down CatfishWeather LoachForktail Blue-eyeClown KillifishBumblebee GobyCrystal Red ShrimpBamboo ShrimpRamshorn SnailMalaysian Trumpet SnailJapanese Trapdoor Snail

Common questions

How tall does Christmas moss grow?

Growers report about 1.2–2 in (3–5 cm). Basis: Tropica 2-month avg (listed 3-5+).

How much light does Christmas moss need?

It's rated for low–high light. Growers often disagree on light, so this is the full range across our sources.

Does Christmas moss need CO₂?

No. Its sources rate its CO₂ need as low, and it grows without injection.

Which fish eat Christmas moss?

In our database, Convict Cichlid, Common Pleco, Common / Comet Goldfish, Clown Loach, Tinfoil Barb, Buenos Aires Tetra, Kissing Gourami, Yoyo Loach, Fancy Goldfish are flagged as eating live plants. Tough-leaved anubias usually hold up better.

Gear for Christmas moss

PlantLive Christmas moss. Compare sellers and pot sizes.Find on Amazon →LightA basic aquarium LED is enough for low light.Find on Amazon →GluePlant glue or thread to fix it to wood or rock.Find on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, AquariumSetup earns from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon search results so you can compare current options.

Related guides

Beginner aquarium plantsPlanted tank lightsLiquid ferts vs root tabsTrimming & propagation

Sources

Values come from these pages, in our own words. Where growers disagree, we show the full range. Last reviewed 2026-10-17.