Mayaca Fluviatilis

Common Names

• Bog Moss (most common in the trade)

• Stream Bogmoss

• Soft Mayaca

• Mayaca

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Order: Poales

• Family: Mayacaceae (This is key—it's not a true moss but its own unique family)

• Genus: Mayaca

• Species: M. fluviatilis

Description & Identification

• Growth Form: A slender, delicate, creeping or erect submerged aquatic herb.

• Stems: Very thin (often less than 1mm), flexible, and can grow over 60 cm (24 inches) long. They branch frequently.

• Leaves: The most distinctive feature. They are spiral-alternate, extremely thin (almost needle-like), and about 5-10 mm long. They are bright green to yellowish-green, giving the plant a soft, moss-like or "furry" appearance.

• Flowers: Small (6-8 mm), solitary, and emergent on thin stalks. They have three delicate pink, white, or lavender petals and bloom above the water's surface. Flowering is rare in submerged aquarium conditions.

• Roots: Fine and fibrous, primarily for anchorage; the plant absorbs most nutrients through its stems and leaves.

Natural Habitat & Distribution

• Native Range: Widespread in the southeastern United States (from Texas to Florida, north to the Carolinas) and throughout Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.

• Habitat: Found in slow-moving or stagnant, acidic, soft-water environments. Common locations include:

  • Margins of streams, rivers, and lakes

  • Ditches, canals, and marshes

  • Swamps and boggy areas

  • Often rooted in sandy or peaty substrates.

Aquarium & Horticultural Use

Mayaca fluviatilis is a popular and classic plant in the aquascaping hobby, valued for its unique texture.

1. Role in Aquascaping:

• Midground to Background: Often used as a dense, bushy background plant or a soft midground accent.

• "Bush" Creation: When trimmed regularly, it forms very dense, fluffy bushes.

• Texture Contrast: Its fine, needle-like leaves provide excellent contrast against broad-leaf plants (like Echinodorus) or strap-leaf plants (like Vallisneria).

2. Care Requirements:

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. It grows quickly but can be demanding of certain nutrients.

• Lighting: Medium to High. Lower light leads to sparse, leggy growth.

• CO2: Benefits greatly from CO2 supplementation, which promotes denser, lusher growth and prevents stunting.

• Water Parameters: Prefers soft, slightly acidic water (pH 5.5-7.0), but is adaptable. Temperature: 20-28°C (68-82°F).

• Substrate/Nutrients: Not a heavy root feeder. It absorbs nutrients primarily from the water column. Regular liquid fertilization (especially Iron and Macronutrients) is crucial to prevent pale leaves (chlorosis) and stunted growth.

• Maintenance: Requires frequent trimming to maintain shape. Trimmed stems can be replanted to propagate and increase bushiness.

Common Problem:

• Yellowing/White New Leaves: A classic sign of iron deficiency. Increasing micronutrient (trace) fertilization usually solves this.

Ecological Significance

• In its native habitat, it provides cover and foraging grounds for small fish, invertebrates, and fry.

• Helps stabilize loose substrates.

• Serves as a bio-indicator of clean, soft, often acidic water conditions.

Key Distinctions & Look-Alikes

• Not a True Moss: It's often confused with Fontinalis (Java Moss) due to its common name, but it's a flowering vascular plant, not a bryophyte.

• Vs. Mayaca sellowiana: A very similar species also sold in the hobby. M. sellowiana often has a slightly reddish stem and slightly stiffer leaves that are more arranged in one plane, while M. fluviatilis is brighter green and more distinctly spiral.

• Vs. Cabomba: Both have fine leaves, but Cabomba leaves are palmate (fan-shaped), while Mayaca leaves are single and spiral.

Summary

Mayaca fluviatilis is a beautiful, soft-textured aquatic stem plant prized for creating lush, moss-like bushes in aquariums. While fast-growing and generally easy, it performs best with good light, CO2, and consistent fertilization. Its unique appearance makes it a timeless choice for adding delicate detail and contrast to an aquascape.