In this post, we will understand the relationship between Betta fish and Moss balls. We will also outline if they can live together in the same tank.
Does Bettas like Marimo Moss Balls?
Many betta enthusiasts novice and experienced alike use marimo moss balls for betta tanks. However, the use of marimo moss balls in betta aquariums is pointless if your betta is going to despise them. It turns out that the contrary is true, and your betta will like having a marimo moss ball in his tank.
When you initially place your moss ball in the tank, it will float on the surface of the water until it has absorbed enough moisture. (Unless you immerse it to the point where it sinks.)
The first thing you’ll notice is that your betta will begin to investigate it, before moving it about the tank.
When they sink, bettas may use them as footballs, kicking them around the tank as they go.
Moreover, depending on the height of your tank, your betta can even opt to take a nap on his moss ball! Because they like resting on natural materials such as leaves in the wild.
What are Moss balls?
There are a variety of names for those enigmatic moss balls:
- Marimo\sMossimo
- Seaweed ball is a kind of ball made of seaweed.
- Algae ball is a kind of algae ball.
- Japanese Moss Ball (also known as Lake ball)
- Ball for Marimo Moss
The moss ball’s scientific name is Aegagropila Linnaeii, which means “Linnaean moss ball.” If you acquire a handful of these strange green balls, you’ll receive fantastic value for your money since they may survive for more than 100 years. These fascinating natural constructions develop slowly, at a pace of only 2 inches each year. You may find it amusing to share a minor bit of knowledge with your pals, such as the fact that Marimo is Japanese for “seaweed ball.” Even though the fluffy green balls resemble seaweed, they are a freshwater species that cannot be found in the ocean.
Are Moss Balls: Plants, or algae?
One thing to keep in mind while looking at these hairy green spheres is that they are neither a plant nor a moss in any way. Marimo moss balls are a kind of filamentous green algae that may be found in lakes across the world, with the highest concentrations occurring in Japan, Iceland, Scotland, Australia, and Estonia. Marimo moss balls were discovered for the first time in the 1820s, and they are now a protected species in Japan’s Lake Akan and Iceland’s Lake Myvatn, where they may be found in abundance. Several examples at Lake Akan in Japan hold the world record for the biggest moss balls, with some specimens measuring up to 11.8 inches in diameter.
As they roll about on the lake or aquarium bottom, these thick balls of algae have no solid core and stay connected to each other. This kind of algae produces nourishment via photosynthesis, and unlike other types of algae, it will not tint the surfaces of your tank or the water it is contained in green.
Betta Fish and Moss Balls
Betta fish and moss balls can coexist peacefully in the same tank. Betta fish like playing with and relaxing on marimo moss balls, which they find appealing for a variety of reasons, including their natural velvety-green magnificence and contrast with another décor. It is particularly popular among ghost shrimp and aquarium snails, which are regular betta tank companions, due to the moss ball’s capability of storing minute bits of food for consumption by the fish.
Marimo moss balls can survive in the same water conditions as bettas do, however they develop more quickly in cooler water temps than in warm water. Until they are completely saturated with aquarium water, they will remain at the bottom of the tank and will only move when disturbed. Moss balls also help to maintain beneficial tank bacteria, release oxygen, and lower nitrate levels, all of which are detrimental to betta fish health when present in high concentrations.
Incorporating Moss Balls into a Betta Tank Offers several Advantages.
Bettas benefit from the presence of moss balls, and there are several reasons why you should consider including some in your tank.
Some of the most important are included in the following section:
They need just little maintenance
It is one of the reasons why many do not utilize live plants in their aquariums because of the amount of upkeep they demand. This isn’t necessary for moss balls, though. Most of the time you can simply leave them in their tank and let them go on with their lives. It is just necessary to flip them every so often or clean them (Which requires minimal effort).
Beneficial Bacteria
Beneficial microorganisms are required in all tanks. They contribute to the breakdown of ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, which helps to make the water congenial for your fish. Furthermore, due to their huge surface area, they provide the ideal environment for a bacterium colony to establish itself.
This also means that you won’t have to worry about cleaning your filter as often since you won’t be losing all of the germs in your tank when you do. And it won’t take long for it to start reproducing again.
Producing oxygen and eliminating waste
In addition to helping to eliminate trash from your tank, moss balls will also aid to purify the water. Plants employ the nitrites, nitrates, and ammonia present in a tank to aid in the process of photosynthetic respiration.
Also, they want to remove part of the co2 from the tank and replace it with oxygen. This will save money. If you have any other fish in the tank with your betta, they will greatly benefit from having extra oxygen moving in the tank!
Fewer algae will grow.
Unless you have any other plants in your tank, it is you may probably see algae developing in your tank. Algae may develop unhindered if the nutrients it requires are not taken up by plants.
However, if you add a few moss balls to your tank, they will consume the nutrients that algae need to thrive.
This eliminates the need to be concerned about algae taking over your tank.
It does not generate any waste.
Another issue with plants is the amount of garbage they generate. With time, they will begin to drop their leaves, which will fall to the bottom of the tank where they will decompose.
Because of the decomposing waste, ammonia is produced, which must subsequently pass through the nitrogen cycle to be recycled.
Moss balls, on the other hand, are that plant. They don’t generate any garbage until they’re ill or dying, at which point they do. This is likewise a very unusual occurrence.
Extremely Resistant
Attempting to kill a moss ball is a difficult task. The ability to live at a variety of temperatures and pH levels has been shown, and they have even been seen to survive in saltwater.
You may even leave them out of water for a few days and they’ll be ok as long as they maintain a constant moisture level in their environment.
Moss Ball Care and Maintenance
Cleaning a moss ball is a simple process that doesn’t need to be done regularly.
To clean the moss ball, remove it from your aquarium and put it in a bucket with some of your betta’s old aquarium water in it. Repeat this process many times. Start lightly squeezing it once you’ve done this. It will discharge water with each contraction, then absorb it when it returns to its natural round form at the end of the contraction cycle.
You may even squeeze your moss ball after it has been removed from the water if you so choose. When you put it in your tank, it will float on the surface, providing a fresh experience for your betta.
And if your moss ball begins to deform, just gently roll it around in your fingers until it regains its spherical consistency.
How many Moss balls a Betta fish tank can hold?
The fact that you can have more than one marimo moss ball in a betta tank will delight everyone who likes these little creatures. Since they don’t create any waste in your tank, you may maintain quite a number of them in your tank at one time.
The reason you shouldn’t add too many is to ensure that they can all develop to their full potential. As a general guideline, you should maintain 1 – 3 moss balls per gallon of water in your aquarium.
How to take care of Moss balls?
Under normal circumstances and in good health, taking care of your moss ball is extremely uncomplicated. They are almost indestructible and will only need little maintenance on an as-needed basis. If they have access to clean water and are properly cared for, they may be able to outlive you.
Food
They produce their food via photosynthesis, which may be done with either natural or artificial light.
Moss balls are amazing because they’re circular live balls of algae, and that’s why they’re called that. If a moss ball is left on one side for an extended period, it may flatten, which is something you do not want. Simply flip it over or massage it gently with your hands to mold it into a meatball form, like you would a meatball.
Lighting
Moss balls are found naturally in the chilly bottom of lakes, where they get little indirect sunlight. If you want a healthy marimo, you should create a habitat that is similar to this.
Keep moss balls in shady tank regions and away from direct sunlight to maintain their health.
The presence of too much light, particularly if the water is excessively hot, can result in browning or dark patches on the skin. If you see browning on one side of your face because of too much light, turn your head to the opposite side.
Water changes and cleaning are required.
Each time you conduct a water change or completely clean your betta’s tank, you should also check your moss ball for symptoms of browning or loss of color, which might indicate that it needs to be replaced. Using your fingers, carefully compress the moss ball in a container of aquarium water, enabling it to evacuate the water and then get saturated with water.
This procedure should be repeated multiple times. Consider this technique to be similar to that of cleaning a home sponge. This will thoroughly clean the moss ball, removing all of the dirt and germs that have accumulated inside it over time. A Brown or grey color is a solid indicator that a moss ball has been soiled and needs attention.
Sickness
Healthy moss balls will have a vibrant green hue, as well as abundant outward filamentous development on the surface. Too much light is indicated by the color white or grey; too much direct sunlight or a filthy moss ball is indicated by the color brownish, and deterioration is indicated by the color black (remove them by cutting them out).
As an alternative therapy, confine moss balls and supplement them with aquarium salt and cooler water to enhance the health and development of the plants.
Conclusion
In this post, we understood the relationship between Betta fish and Moss balls. We also outlined if they can live together in the same tank.
If you have any comments, please drop them below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Do Bettas like Marimo Moss Balls?
Is it possible to buy fake moss balls?
Fake moss balls are available for purchase both online and at pet shops. Fake moss balls are generally made of plants that have been wrapped around a solid plastic or other material core to simulate moss. Their look is often that of flawless spheres, as opposed to the luxuriant appearance of a genuine marimo moss ball.
What is causing my moss ball to float?
Moss balls will float if they are not completely submerged in water or if they include an interior air bubble of sufficient size.
Is it possible to keep moss balls with betta fish?
Betta fish and moss balls can coexist peacefully in the same tank. Betta fish like playing with and relaxing on marimo moss balls, which they find appealing for a variety of reasons, including their natural velvety-green magnificence and contrast with another décor.
What is the lifespan of moss balls in a betta tank?
Taking care of your moss ball takes very little time and effort. Fresh distilled water (only the best for your plant baby) and low to medium light is ideal for moss balls, which should be replaced every three months. They may survive for over 100 years and barely grow by approximately 5 millimeters a year, according to some estimates.
