The lifespan of a moss ball in your aquarium depends largely on the size of the ball, the quality of water, and the care you provide. In good conditions, healthy Marimo balls can live for
100 years or longer
! However, if kept in poor water conditions or neglected the moss balls will quickly deteriorate and die.
Can you put a moss ball in a fish tank?
How do I put moss balls in my aquarium?
Do moss balls have babies?
They usually reproduce through budding
. This is an asexual form of reproduction that can take place when the moss ball is big enough and has enough room to continue growing. You might notice a little bump forming on its rounded surface and that is how you can tell that it is creating another marimo!
Can moss balls live in tap water?
They can be kept in tap water
, though they will remain cleaner longer in filtered or reverse osmosis water. Interestingly, Marimo can live in brackish water – in fact, it is often recommended to add a little ocean salt to the water if a Marimo is developing brown spots.
Do fish eat moss balls?
Marimo moss ball is perfect for small fish and shrimps
Shrimp especially love the Marimo moss ball because it catches small bits of food on top for them to eat. Moss balls are also great for fish to hide behind and explore.
Do moss balls need food?
No food or fertilizers are needed since they create their own food through photosynthesis
. It's okay to use fertilizer for other plants in the tank, which may promote faster growth. Marimo balls grow slowly: up to 5 mm per year, eventually reaching 2 to 5 inches in aquariums, or 8 to 12 inches in natural conditions.
Do moss balls float when they're happy?
To explain the later batter–
as Marimos perform photosynthesis, the oxygen bubbles generated by the Marimo can make them float up to the surface of the water
. That is completely normal–in fact, it indicates that your moss ball is healthy.
Should I quarantine moss balls?
You should not trade or sell marimos during the quarantine period
. If you keep them in an aquarium and you remove any plants, place them in a sealed plastic bag, freeze for 24 hours and dispose of in trash. After 6 months, the quarantine ends.
Do Bettas like moss balls?
Betta fish simply love Marimo moss balls
! Watch your pet when you first add the moss ball to his tank. The ball will float on the surface of the water until it takes on enough water to sink to the bottom. During that time, your betta will explore the ball and play with it, pushing it along the water surface.
Can moss balls cause algae?
Sorry, reefdive, but
Cladophora aegagropila (Marimo Moss Balls) isn't the typical kind of hair algae we're talking about
. It is possible for it to spread if it's broken up or constantly agitated. Especially in warmer tanks, I've found. But it's easily controlled.
Will goldfish eat moss balls?
What is this? Marimo moss balls are a beautiful aquatic plant.
Goldfish are not partial to eating them
, but they do enjoy pushing them around the bottom of their tanks like toys!
Do moss balls need oxygen?
Marimo moss balls won't stay green for long without a source of oxygen
. Since light hits the jar, they'll undergo photosynthesis (they're really just algae balls) and this process requires a constant air supply in order for them survive.
Do moss balls move?
Balls of moss move like a flock
The herd seems to move in unison, at a speed of about 2.5 centimetres per day. Their motion didn't align with the prevailing winds, and they weren't rolling down a slope — so what propels them is still a mystery.
Can you cut a moss ball in half?
Cut each half of the moss ball in half.
If the resulting pieces are larger than 2 to 3 inches, cut them each in half
. This gives you four to eight new moss balls. Moss balls don't have a kernel or central structure, so it's fine to cut it through the center and in any direction.
Do moss ball pets grow?
The growth rate of Marimo is about 5 mm per year
. they grow particularly large, up to 20–30 cm (8–12 inches). All they need is normal household lighting for them to make food, otherwise, indirect sunlight is fine. You should turn them over once in a while for them to keep their round shape.
Can you keep a moss ball in a jar?
They're billed as a low-maintenance houseplant, and that they are:
just stick your ball(s) in a jar of water in bright light
and, well, that's it. That's right, a jar of water.
How long can moss balls live without water?
Generally, Marimo will sink to the bottom of their tank within 1-2 days of being added to an enclosure. Can Marimo Survive Outside of Water? Yes! Marimo moss balls can survive without water if kept in plastic or a closed jar for
several days
, as long as they aren't allowed to fully dry out.
How often do moss balls reproduce?
These moss balls normally only grow one half to one centimeter per year. This is extremely slow growth, and since they are
primarily propagated by asexual reproduction
, it can take four or five years to grow them large enough to sell.
How big can moss balls get?
In their natural habitat, Marimo moss balls can eventually reach diameters of
8 to 12 inches (20-31 cm.)
, although your home-grown Marimo moss ball probably won't be quite this large – or maybe they will! Moss balls can live for a century or more, but they grow slowly.
What kind of fish can live with moss balls?
Goldfish, Axolotls, and Turtles
Marimo balls also make good enrichment for goldfish and turtles because they can roll them around and play with them (which is also beneficial to the moss!). Some goldfish will pick at them, some might leave them alone, and others will completely destroy them.
Can you put a lid on marimo moss balls?
Marimo Moss Balls are inexpensive to buy, maintain, and propagate. Because they are so slow growing, your moss ball can live for decades with the right care.
If you put an airtight lid on your moss ball container, you'll rarely have to add water
.
Do Marimo need air?
What do you need for a moss ball?
Any type of water can be used to house moss balls, even tap water
. Personally, I like to use distilled or spring water because tap water tends to leave a hard water ring along the glass as it evaporates, and it can be very hard to remove.
