Malta Aquarist Society

Where do "Marimo" Balls come from.

The bottom of Lake Akan in Japan is inhabited by miraculously spherical algae called "marimo." Although marimo and its related species are observed in the lakes of several European countries and in some other lakes in Japan, only in Lake Akan marimo grow 20 to 30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches) in diameter and have a spherical surface that is beautifully soft and smooth like velvet.                                                                                                     

Marimo have not always had an easy life in the lake which serves the local community as a tourist attraction and a valuable water resource. Ironically, after the first governmental designation of marimo as a Natural Treasure in 1921, people came from all over the country to obtain these unique plants. Some were taken away as souvenirs by tourists and many others were stolen and sold for high prices in urban areas.                                              

In the 1940s, recognizing that marimo was severely endangered, the local people launched a campaign to protect the plant, one of which continues to this day, the Marimo Festival which originated in 1950 is held every October & it's a three-day festival is led by the local Ainu people, and culminates on the third day with a ritual in which a senior Ainu on board a small wooden boat returns the marimo one by one, carefully and thankfully, into the lake.             

These "Marimo Balls" are not plants but spheres of green Algae. They are said to be great for algae control, because they "outcompete" the algae by using the same nutrients and reduce the algae from your tank.                                                                                                                                      

These "Marimo Balls" are the size of a table tennis ball & can grow slowly to a tennis ball & then you can divide them gently in half & you'll have 2 "Marimo Balls".                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Care & needs of the Marimo Balls.

Thanks to Charles Grima, here is a picture of a Marimo "Moss" Ball.

 No need to thank me what friends are for?

Thanks for sharing this info !! Are they hard to get I've never seen them in a an lfs.  I think they add a nice touch aesthetically to a planted aquarium  

They are easy to get & most Fish Shops have them from time to time.

I have never seen them, guess I was just looking at the fish  

Are they also good to keep the levels of say the nitrate, ammonia and nitrite down ?????

Some people say that they are great for Algae control, as they outcompete the Algae by using the same nutrients & so, keep the Algae at bay.

Seracin, if you know where I can purchase some of these moss balls please inform me.

I think that you can find them from LFS. I used to have alot but admin took most of them, the last time he was at my place.

Martin I saw them at an lfs yesterday , how can I private message you ??  

 Click on Martin's name and you should have an option (on the left hand side) - send private message.