Can I have marimo moss balls with betta fish?

In this post, we will answer the question “Can I have marimo moss balls with betta fish?”. We will also discuss the many advantages of having marimo moss balls in your tank.

Can I have marimo moss with betta fish?

Yes, Marino moss balls can be in betta fish tanks. Marimo moss balls are used by many betta lovers, both new and seasoned. They take little to no upkeep, look wonderful, and are well-liked by the tank’s residents. 

What are the advantages of marimo moss balls in a betta fish  tank? 

Marimo moss balls provide a variety of advantages that make them worthwhile to include in your betta’s tank. The following are a few of the most important. 

They just necessitate minimal upkeep

The amount of maintenance that live plants take is one of the reasons why many avoid having them in their aquarium.For example, check to see that the lighting and water are in proper functioning condition. Following that, you’ll need to trim them on a regular basis.

Keeping beneficial bacteria 

Beneficial microorganisms are required in all tanks. They aid in the breakdown of ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates in the water, making it more hospitable for your fish. They’re also ideal for the bacteria colony to grow because of the vast surface area they have. 

This also means you won’t have to clean your filter as frequently because you won’t be losing all of the microorganisms in your tank. And with time, it will begin to multiply once more. 

Getting rid of waste and creating oxygen 

Marimo moss balls, like other plants, will aid in the removal of waste from your tank. Nitrorites, nitrates, and ammonia are all beneficial to plants when they are photosynthesizing. As part of this process, they will remove some of the CO2 from the tank and replace it with oxygen. 

There will be less algae growth in the tank

The presence of algae in your tank is almost certain if you do not have any other vegetation in the tank. Algae is free to thrive without plants consuming the nutrients it requires. 

In contrast, adding a couple of moss balls to your tank will prevent algae from growing since they will devour the nutrients that algae require to grow. Because of this, you will not have to be concerned about your aquarium getting overtaken with algae.

It does not generate any waste

Another issue with plants is the garbage that they generate. They will begin to drop their leaves as they grow, which will fall to the bottom of the tank and rot. This decomposition produces ammonia, which must subsequently be recycled through the nitrogen cycle. 

Extremely tough 

Marimo moss balls are notoriously tough to destroy. They can not only withstand a wide range of temperatures and pH levels but they have also been reported to survive in saltwater.

Marimo moss balls: Do bettas like them? 

It’s pointless to use marimo moss balls in betta aquariums if your betta despises them. Fortunately, your betta will appreciate having a marimo moss ball in her tank. 

When you initially place your moss ball in the aquarium, it will float on top of the water until it has absorbed enough water to support itself. Unless you entirely submerge it in water till it sinks, which is not recommended. When it reaches the top of your tank, your betta will begin to investigate it before shoving it about the tank.

Maintaining its form 

If you want your moss ball to maintain its shape, do not leave it in the same spot for too long. If you leave your moss ball in the same location for too long, it will sag. 

Simply moving it about in the aquarium on a regular basis will keep this from happening again. You will not have to do anything if you observe your betta knocking it around. 

Lighting

The only thing you need to do for your moss ball is make sure it gets enough light. They are usually found near the bottom of chilly lakes and ponds, so try to replicate that as closely as possible. 

Your tank should be kept out of direct sunlight, but if it is not, you should relocate it to a location where it will be. If that isn’t possible, make sure your moss ball is in the shade. 

Cleaning A Marimo Moss Ball 

Cleaning a marimo moss ball is simple and does not have to be done frequently. The most of the time, you will only need to do it when the water in your tank has to be replaced. 

Taking it out of the tank and putting it in a bucket with some of your betta’s old aquarium water to clean it is a good idea. Begin lightly squeezing it once you have completed this. The water will be ejected with each contraction, before being absorbed when it returns to its natural round shape after each contraction.

You can also squeeze your moss ball once it is out of the water if you wish. As soon as you place it in your tank, it will float to the surface, offering your betta with an entirely new experience. 

Bettas use them like footballs, and as they submerge, they use them to propel themselves around the tank. It is possible that your betta will choose to rest on his moss ball, depending on the height of your tank. Because they enjoy resting on natural objects such as leaves. 

How to take care of your moss ball 

Marimo moss balls are easy to care for, but if you do not pay attention to a few basic details, you can lose your moss ball. 

Signs that your marimo moss ball is sick 

A marimo moss ball can become sick and unwell, albeit it is uncommon. You should not be concerned if you observe this and take action. Marimo Moss Balls are exceedingly hardy, and once their demands are met, they will revert to normal. 

The following are some of the signs and symptoms, as well as suggestions on how to deal with them:

Marimo brown 

There are several reasons why your marimo moss ball has turned brown. To ensure that your moss ball bounces back, you must diagnose appropriately. 

Brown/Gray Throughout 

If your Marimo moss ball has turned brown (or grey) all over, it has to be cleaned. It’s merely a build-up of dirt that you’re witnessing. Remove the marimo from your betta tank and wring it out in a pail of aquarium water. 

If it still seems brown after a few rinses, add water conditioner to tap water and swish it around vigorously. The colouration should gradually change to green. Simply place it back in your tank once this is completed. 

Brown on one side, white on the other 

If you observe that your moss ball is just brown on one side, that means it isn’t getting enough light. Simply turn the moss ball over so that the brown side is now facing the light. 

Allow it to turn green once more. Once your moss ball is green, rotate it frequently to ensure that each side receives sufficient light. 

Marimo Blanco 

You may also notice that the outside of your marimo is going white. When your marimo becomes white, it’s because it’s been exposed to too much light. 

It should be moved to a more shady area of the tank to avoid this from occuring. You’ll see that it returns to its original green hue after you’ve done this. 

Marimo Yellow 

If your marimo has become yellow, it is most likely due to contact with potentially harmful substances. This may have happened if you cleaned it with tap water without first conditioning it, or something similar. 

Marimo slime 

Not only may the colour of your marimo alter, but so can the way it feels. If your marimo feels sticky or slippery, another sort of algae may have attached itself to it. 

If not handled, this is very terrible news. Affected plants die when they are smothered and strangled by algae, which prevents them from absorbing nutrients from the water. 

In order to cure a slimy marimo, place it in an aquarium filled with aquarium water and gently rub it with a moss ball the same size as your moss ball until the algae are gone. 

Can you have a maximum of how many moss balls in a betta tank?

If you enjoy marimo moss balls, you’ll be happy to learn that you can keep multiples in a betta tank. You may keep quite a number of them because they don’t produce any garbage in your aquarium. 

The reason you should not add too many is to ensure they have enough room to flourish. As a general rule of thumb, one to three moss balls per gallon of water should be sufficient.

Conclusion 

In this post, we answered the question “Can I have marimo moss balls with betta fish?”. We also discussed the many advantages of having marimo moss balls in your tank.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know in the comments section below!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Can I have marimo moss balls with betta fish?

What is the meaning of marimo?

A ball of seaweed was discovered in 1820, and its name in Japanese translates as “ball of seaweed.” The friendly ball is a unique kind of green algae that grows in spheres that have a velvety appearance.

What is marimo is a living being?

Marino (Aegagropila linnaei algae) is an uncommon aquatic moss that has a distinctive look. It is a huge green ball with a velvety texture and a velvety texture. It can be found in northern Europe, although the highest populations tend to develop in Lake Akan, in eastern Hokkaido, Japan, where the lake is located.

Where can we find marimo?

The marimo is a rare type of growth in which algae grow into enormous green balls with a velvety look, which is formed by the presence of oxygen. Only a few lakes in Iceland, Scotland, Japan, and Estonia have been found to have colonies of these balls.

How to know if marimo is alive?

In many cases, tiny bubbles of oxygen can be seen growing on the surface of the marimo moss ball’s surface. This is a sign that the algae colony is alive and well, and that it is engaged in the process of photosynthesis. A similar phenomenon is also observed in other aquatic plants, particularly in aquariums, and it is thought to be related.

What is the maximum size of a marimo moss ball and how quickly do they grow? 

If you can maintain a marimo moss alive for an extended period, it will grow to enormous proportions. At their largest, marimo moss balls have been observed to grow to be 8-12 inches in diameter. This would be around three or four times the size of your betta fish.

References 

Top 10 Betta Fish Plants for Your Aquarium – https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/top-10-betta-fish-plants-for-your-aquarium

What Are The Best Plants For Betta Fish? – https://www.bettaboxx.com/betta-care/plants/