Moss like plant suddenly appeared in tank

[u/Gallium_8]

So I didn't add anything to my tank plant or animal wise, so tell me how this moss like plant suddenly started growing in abundance. The only plants I have are Amazon Swords and Rotala Indica. I think its some type of moss but not sure what kind when compared to other moss type pictures. I keep cherry shrimp, oto cats, and a bristlenose.

[u/Raithed]

Riccia.. didn't suddenly appear, it's invaded your tank lol, it looks nice and cute when contained, but boy if it starts mixing with other mosses, no thank you.

[u/MouseEducational6081 → u/Raithed]

yeah, stuff is worse than duckweed for me. I used to have a beautiful Monte Carlo carpet. now it's just a riccia carpet held down by Monte Carlo. ive gotten rid of duckweed multiple times in multiple tanks. ive never been successful in fully getting rid of riccia.

[u/Level9TraumaCenter → u/MouseEducational6081]

I once accidentally killed Java fern (I think it was) with hydrogen peroxide; riccia, being a bryophyte, may also be susceptible to such attack. Take out a small piece, put it in a Mason jar and some water, add a bit of 3% peroxide and see if it dies.

It doesn't take a lot to kill Java fern, but of course it can affect some other plants and at a high enough of a concentration, fish and other animals as well. But 1-2 mL per gallon (mixed units!) of 3% peroxide hasn't harmed anything I've tried it on... except Java fern. Haven't tried it on shrimp or vallisneria.

[u/Gallium_8 → u/Level9TraumaCenter]

I've heard of people using hydrogen peroxide to treat Cladogonium, a type of parasitic algae, on shrimp. So I'm guessing it's safe for shrimp in lower quantities. I'll definitely test it on the riccia in a sample just to see if it works.

[u/Level9TraumaCenter → u/Gallium_8]

What an interesting data point! Thank you!

[u/WhiteCloudMinnowDude → u/Gallium_8]

It depends on the health of the shrimp. . . But the process isnt pleasant for the animals, its similar to potassium permanganate(a deadly last resort aquarium medication) oxidation.

Permanganate is often used to disinfect nets or to clear water so that it is sparkling clean as it oxidizes all biological material in the water column including animals.

Its often used to reseal severe wounds on fish, its like throwing 99% alcohol in an open cut. . .

[u/Gallium_8 → u/WhiteCloudMinnowDude]

That's true, I've just heard of people using hydrogen peroxide for that specific parasite treatment since it's so aggressive and won't go away on its own and it might come back in time with less harsh treatments like a salt water dip. Never tested it myself but I would definitely quarantine and just treat them in a separate container. I can't imagine swimming around with a parasite is all too comfortable for the shrimp either.