Marimo Moss Ball
Aegagropila linnaei
Also known as Marimo, Moss Ball, Lake Ball, Cladophora Ball
Plantae›Chlorophyta›Ulvophyceae›Cladophorales›Cladophoraceae
📍 Lake Akan (Japan), Lake Mývatn (Iceland)
Beloved velvety-green spheres of filamentous green algae — not a moss at all. Forms naturally in cold lakes where wave action rolls colonies into balls over decades. A low-maintenance aquarium icon that grows extremely slowly. Rotate occasionally for even light exposure.
Community Photos
1 photoPhotos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
by @Haven
Sign in to vote.
Tanks keeping this 🐟
Kept by 3 hobbyistsCommunity tanks featuring Marimo Moss Ball.
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
Sign in to share your experience.
No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!
Quick Facts
- role
- beneficial / decorative
- growth
- very slow
- maxSize
- 5 inches diameter
- lightLevel
- low to medium
- temperature
- 59–77°F (15–25°C)
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–8.0
- hardness
- 3–20 dGH
- temperature
- 59–77°F (15–25°C)
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.
Temperature
59–77°F
15–25°C