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Aegagropila linnaei - Marimo balls
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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2
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9623
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Thu May 19, 2005
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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100% of reviewers
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$1.95
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9.5
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Description:
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Common Name: Marimo/Moss Balls
Scientific Name: Aegagropila linnaei
Light: Low to Very High
Co2: Not Essential to growth
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Aegagropila linnaei is not a plant, but rather an algae. As a result, this is perhaps one of the very few algae species which are desired in the aquarium.
This algae tends to form itself in spherical shapes in select lakes; the round shape is primarily caused by constant moving by water currents that develop the ball on all sides. Among other places, these balls are found in Lake Akan in Japan, where they are a protected species due to their status as a National Treasure.
In the aquarium, these dense, dark green balls will survive in lower light conditions, without the presence of Co2, but will thrive in medium or higher light situations with Co2 and decent water column fertilization. Unlike other algaes, this will not spread throughout the aquarium and need not be feared. Even in good conditions, these algae balls are very slow growing, but higher light and nutrient rich conditions will of course hasten growth to a degree.
Due to the sponge-like nature of this algae, it is a magnet for debris. When the ball becomes unsightly or a cleaning is in order, simply remove the ball into a bucket of aquarium water and gently rinse it as one would rinse a filter cartridge. Then place the ball back into tank.
To ensure healthy growth, it is recommended to rotate the balls every so often to ensure that all sides are exposed to light and water current, that growth is evenly distributed, and that the round shape is maintained (the aquarium lacks the natural mechanisms that nature has use of to accomplish this task).
C. aegragrophila can be used in two manners. One is to leave the algae in spherical shape, the other is to try to flatten the ball out into a sheet, or smaller flat pieces, and place across the substrate, rocks, or wood. Leaving the ball flat is much easier and poses fewer problems regarding how to clean the debris that will inevitably collect.
To propagate, divide a large ball into several smaller balls. Growth is slow and it may take some time to develop the babies into adults. Larger specimens will become internally hollow (and will often float) and should be separated into smaller sections. The balls have the potential to become the size of a basketball – but these are undoubtedly quite old, especially if occurring in the wild where conditions are likely not to be optimal.
In the wild, these balls undergo a cycling of flotation where the balls will float up and then sink back down again, depending on the light and time of day. In the aquarium, when photosynthesis has caused pearling, or oxygen bubbles to form on the flora, the “plant” will be lifted up in the aquarium. When the lights turn off and photosynthesis slows down, the balls will sink again. This can be discouraged by weighing the Cladophora down with anchor weights, string, rocks, etc.
This “plant” is sensitive to very dim light, debris, and copper and other medications.
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Author
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NoDeltaH2O
Super Fish
Registered: February 2005
Location: Portland
Posts: 1868
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Review Date: Wed May 11, 2005
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Would you recommend the profile? Yes |
Price you paid?: $2.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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totally unique appearance
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Cons:
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none
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Shrimp love to clean the debris and food from the balls. Mine have separated after about a year in a high light high CO2 tank. The two parts have both grown, with one being more round than the other. THis is probably the only plant I have ever owned that required no care from me. I would have a whole tank full of balls if I could.
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twoluvcats
Large Fish
Registered: April 2004
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 893
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Review Date: Thu May 19, 2005
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Would you recommend the profile? Yes |
Price you paid?: $1.90
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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easy easy easy!!! Unique and eyecatching
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Cons:
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can be hard to get to stay in one spot, can get pretty ugly if clogged with debris
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I think these many be easier than Java Moss!! Everybody in my tank loves to pick stuff of of it...my guppies seem to REALLY like to eat the algae itself, and the debris. They are very striking, and always get comments when seen. They would be great for small tanks to outcompete the \'bad algae\'.
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