I was sitting at the kitchen table while my boyfriend and brother were playing Magic the Gathering together. I was trying to be at least a little sociable. Soon my boyfriend looked over to see what I was working on, and then he appeared a little concerned with all the cups, green fuzzy stuff, and my silence. "What are you doing over there?!"
"Propagating moss balls!"
It is becoming increasingly hard for me not to keep getting these little cute fuzzy green Tribble things.
"Propagating moss balls!"
It is becoming increasingly hard for me not to keep getting these little cute fuzzy green Tribble things.
These are "Marimo Moss Balls" but they are not actually moss at all, they are a form of algae (Aegagropila linnaei). They grow naturally in only a few lakes throughout the world and it is assumed that they develop their ball-shape from being pushed around in the current.
I originally got my first one for my little betta fish tank. I read that they can help with water quality a little (it competes with other algae for nutrients), they are VERY low maintenance, some fish like to play with them, plus I think they are pretty cute!
Later I learned that some people keep them as "pets" in little cute jars. I envisioned a row of little jars sitting on my windowsill...
Oops.
They also grow very very slowly, only about 5mm a year according to most sources. I found that intriguing and a bit of a challenge. I would love a Tribble-like army in a shrimp tank someday, so how can I propagate them and encourage growth?
I read in a couple places that in their natural environment, Marimo growth is strongest in brackish areas of the lakes. So I divided one of my balls up into many little mini balls. That is the most common method of propagation, minus waiting around for a ball to randomly spit a baby ball out, which is a rather rare occurrence.
I then separated the balls into two difference jars, and am using marine salt water in just one and freshwater (from the tap) in the other. In a few years I'll see if I notice any difference in growth between the two. LOL so I'll get back to you then.
I read in a couple places that in their natural environment, Marimo growth is strongest in brackish areas of the lakes. So I divided one of my balls up into many little mini balls. That is the most common method of propagation, minus waiting around for a ball to randomly spit a baby ball out, which is a rather rare occurrence.
I then separated the balls into two difference jars, and am using marine salt water in just one and freshwater (from the tap) in the other. In a few years I'll see if I notice any difference in growth between the two. LOL so I'll get back to you then.
Do you have a Marimo ball (or two...billion)? Tell me about it!
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