Invader Xan
Fish Crazy
Scientific name - Cladophora Aegagropila
Common terms - Moss Ball, Marimo, Cladophora Ball, torasanpe, Lake ball
Geographic origin - Certain lakes in Japan, Iceland, Estonia
Type (stem, bulb, rhizome, floating etc.) - Free floating. Can be used as a carpet layer.
Max. size (height, width) - Up to 30cm in diameter in the wild. Generally smaller in home aquaria.
Lighting required - low to moderate - marimo will float due to pearling with higher light levels.
Temperature - <25C
Water chemistry requirements (pH, hardness) - Adaptable. Can tolerate some salinity.
Growth rates - slow (about 5mm per year)
Demands - undemanding
Additional info - An excellent and attractive addition to any freshwater tank. Being a form of algae (not moss), it tends to hinder the growth of other algaes by outcompeting them for the same nutrients (note: it won't 'cure' an algae infested tank). Requires regular turning to help keep it's spherical shape. Tends to pick up detritus, so may need rinsing occasionally -- just remove it from your aquarium and give it a few squeezes in some tank water. You may notice a few stray filaments floating about the bottom of your tank. This is normal - they'll eventually grow into a carpet or a baby moss ball. Amano shrimp seem especially fond of these plants.
Trivia - Marimo have been granted the status of "Special National Treasure" in Japan. In Iceland it's believed that taking good care of the plant will "make your wishes come true".
Common terms - Moss Ball, Marimo, Cladophora Ball, torasanpe, Lake ball
Geographic origin - Certain lakes in Japan, Iceland, Estonia
Type (stem, bulb, rhizome, floating etc.) - Free floating. Can be used as a carpet layer.
Max. size (height, width) - Up to 30cm in diameter in the wild. Generally smaller in home aquaria.
Lighting required - low to moderate - marimo will float due to pearling with higher light levels.
Temperature - <25C
Water chemistry requirements (pH, hardness) - Adaptable. Can tolerate some salinity.
Growth rates - slow (about 5mm per year)
Demands - undemanding
Additional info - An excellent and attractive addition to any freshwater tank. Being a form of algae (not moss), it tends to hinder the growth of other algaes by outcompeting them for the same nutrients (note: it won't 'cure' an algae infested tank). Requires regular turning to help keep it's spherical shape. Tends to pick up detritus, so may need rinsing occasionally -- just remove it from your aquarium and give it a few squeezes in some tank water. You may notice a few stray filaments floating about the bottom of your tank. This is normal - they'll eventually grow into a carpet or a baby moss ball. Amano shrimp seem especially fond of these plants.
Trivia - Marimo have been granted the status of "Special National Treasure" in Japan. In Iceland it's believed that taking good care of the plant will "make your wishes come true".