Marimo Moss Ball
Aegagropila linnaei
Also sold as Nano moss ball
Synonyms Moss ball · Cladophora aegagropila · Marimo ball · Lake ball
Marimo Moss Ball (Aegagropila linnaei) is a moss for the foreground, growing to about 10 cm (3.9 in) at a slow pace. It wants 41–79°F (5–26°C), low light and no CO₂, and counts as an easy plant to keep alive.
At a glance
| Type | Moss |
|---|---|
| Light | LowThe least light it survives in, not the light it looks best in. |
| CO₂ | Not neededWhether it survives without added CO₂ — not whether CO₂ would help it grow faster. |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Temperature | 41–79°F (5–26°C) |
| Max height | 10 cm (3.9 in)Grown submersed, left to mature, never trimmed. |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Placement | planted in the foreground |
| pH | 6.5–8.5 |
Before it goes in
- Marimo Moss Ball lives under a plain low-light LED — it does not need a planted-tank lamp to survive.
- It grows without CO₂.
Can it grow without CO₂?
Yes. Marimo Moss Ball does not need CO₂ at all.
How much light does it need?
Low light is enough — and that is the survival line, not the “it looks better” line.
How big does it get?
About 10 cm (3.9 in) tall when it is mature and untrimmed, growing slowly, and it does not root at all.
What it goes with
- Plants that run on the same light and CO₂, so they can share a tank without one of them being the odd one out: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', Water Sprite, Anubias nana 'Petite' and Cryptocoryne wendtii.
- Animals that share its temperature range and will not eat or uproot it: Betta, Cherry Shrimp, Angelfish and Bristlenose Pleco.
Often compared with
| Marimo Moss Ball | Flame Moss | Java Moss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Low | Low | Low |
| CO₂ | Not needed | Not needed | Not needed |
| Max height | 10 cm | 12 cm | 5 cm |
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy | Easy |