these little guys are a type of algae that grow and live in water! despite the name, they’re not actually moss at all! marimo moss balls are a rare form of spherical algae that are found living in cool freshwater lakes in places like Japan and Estonia.
moss balls grow at about 5mm per year, which is really slow! but, you can purchase larger, already established ones rather than smaller ones if you don’t want to wait. they run for pretty cheap, most are sold for about a dollar a piece on places like ebay or etsy. some pet stores also have them, but be wary of fakes! there are plenty of fakes out there. the sources at the bottom of the post detail how to spot a fake moss ball.
marimos have a life span of around 100 years, and they’re pretty resilient! with a cute little bowl – they make great room decorations! but, like anything, they require some specific care that should be easy for anyone to follow.
care:
marimos require cool water. nothing too hot and not lukewarm. remember, they’re found in cooler, freshwater lakes and should be kept in a cooler environment for optimal growth!
marimos also require light, but not direct sunlight! marimos can easily turn brown if they get too much direct light, so keep them away from those rays! putting them on your desk or on a drawer in a well lit room with natural sunlight should be perfect! if they start to turn a little brown, just keep them somewhere a little darker and keep their water a little cooler.
water in your marimo bowl should be changed every 2-ish weeks. regular tap water is just fine – no conditioner required! water should be changed a little more frequently during the summer months. or, if you live in a hotter climate. the water will heat and evaporate more quickly during hotter months. water changes consist of using a cup to take some of the water out of it’s bowl, dumping it, and replacing it with fresh water. changing 25-50% of the total water is usually recommended.
etc:
marimos are known to float on their water from time to time. if this happens, gently squeeze the ball between your fingers (or in your hand, if it’s larger) and it should sink again! air bubbles can sometimes get trapped inside of your moss friend, which causes them to float up to the top of the water.
make sure you check your marimo’s condition from time to time. marimos need to be rolled and flipped every so often to ensure they get the proper amount of sunlight on all of their sides. also, inspect your marimo to make sure it isn’t dirty.
if your marimo does appear to be dirty, squeeze and roll it around in new, fresh water for a little bit. marimos kept on their own shouldn’t get dirty as often as ones kept with other fish. if you accidentally happen to break your marimo, gently roll it back into a ball with your hands, no sweat! good as new!
marimo balls can be a fun and pretty display for your home or office, and they can flourish with simple care. marimos are a wonderful alternative to people who enjoy the aesthetic of a fish tank, but dont have the time or money to care for one. plus, marimos can be kept in bowls – unlike most (all) kinds of fish!
The Chaos Bitches 