Advanced Marimo Husbandry Techniques Archives

19JanJanuary 19, 2019

Packaging a Marimo Specimen for Shipping

Marimo Moss Balls are rare growth forms of green algae that grow into large green spheres with a soft and fluffy appearance! They are native to Japan but are also found in several other regions including Iceland, Estonia and Scotland. Their growth forms can be categorized into three separate types including epilithic (growing on rocks), free-floating filaments (often times found on the muddy lake bottoms), and lake proper (where the algae grow into dense balls that radiate from the center). Marimo...

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19JanJanuary 19, 2019

An Advanced CO2 Injection Technique for Marimo Balls

Aegagropila linnaei, most commonly referred to as the Marimo Moss ball, is a rare and unique species of filamentous green algae that takes on a distinctive spherical shape. These strains don't require much care themselves, but they may make it difficult to keep the outside of your tank clean. That's because all your visitors will be pressing their noses up against the glass to get a close up as they coo and smile. These velvety little buggers are cute, and they...

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19JanJanuary 19, 2019

Using Club Soda (CO2) to Help Boost Marimo Photosynthesis

The Marimo Moss Ball, can be a fun and exciting addition to your fresh water aquarium. These balls of velvety green algae are a rare form of the Chlorophyta species. These spherical balls of algae are popular in Japan as pets, and, if cared for properly, are said to bring good fortune. They can either be kept in jars or cultivated in a community tank. They are known to form naturally in large colonies in Japan, Iceland, Scotland and Estonia....

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19JanJanuary 19, 2019

PH, Water, and Temperature Conditions for Optimal Marimo Growth

The most important aspect of caring for your marimo is the water you give it to live in. Tap water of pH 6.0-8.0 is fine but should remain between 60 and 80°F. A glass tank or fish bowl is ideal and old water should be changed about twice per month. Unwanted invasions by other algae or bacteria can be deterred without use of chemicals by changing the tank water on a regular basis. Lighting: Typical indoor artificial lighting is adequate for marimo...

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19JanJanuary 19, 2019

Differentiating Between Naturally-Occurring and Farm-Raised Marimo Balls

The Marimo, Aegagropila linnaei, meaning “ball of seaweed” in Japanese, is a velvety, spherical-shaped algae found in the lakes of Iceland, Estonia, and Japan. A wonder of nature, the Marimo generally cluster together in colonies and can be as large as basketballs. Marimo is a rare growth form of filamentous green algae (Chlorophyta) where the form takes on a spherical shape. This aesthetically pleasing and unusual algae growth is defined as a Natural Treasure in Japan. Japan declared the marimo and its habitat...

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19JanJanuary 19, 2019

Differentiating Between Natural and Various Man-Made Marimo Forms

Once you see the cute, alien-like appearance of marimo balls for yourself, you’ll understand why there’s such a high demand for these fuzzy green spheres. Unfortunately, it’s this high demand that results in the sale of many impostor marimo balls in the marketplace. Here’s our guide on how to tell a real marimo from a fake. Real Marimo Balls: Although they’re often referred to as “Japanese Moss Balls,” marimo balls are actually a species of filamentous green algae (Chlorophyta) that grows in...

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19JanJanuary 19, 2019

Accelerating Marimo Growth with CO2

First of all, Marimo Moss Balls are not really moss. They are a peculiar form of algae. Of course, we normally think of algae as something bad, to clean out of our tank, but just as there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, there is good algae and bad algae and Marimo Moss Balls are good algae. Besides being decorative, they compete with the bad algae and crowd them out, thus helping to keep your tank clean, as well as...

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19JanJanuary 19, 2019

Two Additional Methods for Accelerating Marimo Growth Rates With CO2

Marimo Moss Balls are part of the Cladorphoracaea family of filamentous green algae that form in numerous northern hemisphere lakes found in Japan, Iceland, Scotland, and Estonia. Marimo are algae themselves that grow in a radial pattern and eventually become spheres, or “moss balls.” They do well in low-lit environments, moving toward strands of light on their own. They are also popular in ponds and aquariums because Marimo consume the nutrients undesired algae need. Marimo grow very slowly, typically growing five millimeters...

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19JanJanuary 19, 2019

Technical PH, Temperature, and CO2 Levels for Optimal Marimo Growth

Marimo Moss Balls, also known as Rising Japanese Moss Balls, can make quirky additions to your aquarium or mini terrarium, and since their velvety green texture provide a lush hiding spot for fish and shrimp, they will be teaming with life in no time at all. This peculiar looking water plant originated in Lake Akan in Japan and is referred to as “moss,” but it’s technically algae, and the fact that its spherical shape isn’t rooted only adds to its...

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19JanJanuary 19, 2019

Building a Marimo Colony via the Splitting Method of Propagation

Aegagropila linnaei, known in Japanese as “marimo,” is a species of green algae found predominately in Northern Lakes. These rare marimos have been found naturally growing as small lake colonies in Scotland, japan, Estonia and Iceland. In order to form, these marimo (they are often called “moss balls” as well, though the species has no relation to moss other than its green, velvety appearance) require very specific conditions: including low light, consistent and gentle wave flow—which is needed to form...

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