im trying to find out why they are sold, might sound daft, but do the fish eat them or anything? dont they just disintigrate? just wondering, thanks.
moss balls?
- Thread starter kelly82
- Start date
They grow in aquariums - for people who do aquascapes they can kind of look like grass if attached to wood and rocks. Also a fun place for things like shrimp and small fish to play in -- mostly for decoration I think though.
Marimo moss balls are actually an algae that grows in a nice round clump. They just kind of float around. They grow extremely slowly. I have also seen Java moss tied up in a ball at the LFS, which is not the natural way it grows.
I have used Marimo them in an aquascape by pulling them apart and flattening pieces over rocks and driftwood. None of my algae eating fish or shrimp eat them. They are used like any other living plant, for decoration.
I have used Marimo them in an aquascape by pulling them apart and flattening pieces over rocks and driftwood. None of my algae eating fish or shrimp eat them. They are used like any other living plant, for decoration.
People like the way they look. They are cladophora algae that grows in areas where the movement of the water constantly rolls them, so they become ball-shaped.
I will never use them again. I had a few in my tank, and the cladophora started spreading over my driftwood, plants, and substrate. As mentioned, nothing eats it, and I haven't found anything thats killed it, so I haven't been able to eradicate it from my tank yet.
I will never use them again. I had a few in my tank, and the cladophora started spreading over my driftwood, plants, and substrate. As mentioned, nothing eats it, and I haven't found anything thats killed it, so I haven't been able to eradicate it from my tank yet.
ooh, i wont be adding any then, i dont fancy it taking over my tank. i just thought it may be a good source of enrichment for my goldies to roll around and pick at. thanks for the info everyone.
The marimo balls are a different species of cladophora than the common nuisance cladophora algae that infests our tanks. While the clado you're battling could have hitched a ride on the marimo balls, the two are distinct species and don't necessarily come together.
I have these balls in each one of my tanks and it hasn't cause any algae problems. If anything it has helped prevent alittle of the Green Spot Algae b/c it soaks up extra nutruients.
Goldies will more than likely destroy it, I had a big one (grapefruit size) in my goldie tank and they busted it up and ate it I think, it disappeared so I figured they ate it.
Goldies will more than likely destroy it, I had a big one (grapefruit size) in my goldie tank and they busted it up and ate it I think, it disappeared so I figured they ate it.
My goldfish aren't eating the moss ball. They'd rather pluck at something leafy, I suppose. But they nudge it around enough that I don't have to turn it myself so light will also reach the underside.
I love mine. I have them in 3 of my tanks and will move one into my 55 now that I am thinking about it.