Java moss ??

OZIRIS

Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2008
Messages
156
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Location
Canary Islands
Country
Spain
Display Name
OZIRIS
Hi everybody !:happy:

I bought something a few days ago that I think It's java moss but I'm confused. Looking up on internet I found some photos of what I have, and it is called "java moss balls", but I have continued looking up and I found that these balls are a kind of japanese algae, then I'm confused.

This is a internet photo,very similar to what I have bought.
3-1.jpg



Could anybody tell me if those balls are java moss? If not, It doesn't matter, I'll leave in the tank too, and I'll buy some "real" java moss, but I want to dissapear this doubt :confused:

Thanks
 
I'm pretty sure you are correct, that is not java moss but rather a type of algae.
 
I think they're called Marimo moss balls. I have no idea what species that is, or what kind of plant it would be though.
 
This is definitely not Java moss. This is Moss Ball.

This should be Cladophora aegagrophila, which is not a plant at all. It is a ball of algae. If you want to keep it spherical, you have to rotate the ball once in a while. This type of algae is okay for you to keep in the aquairum, not like the other algae which cause trouble to your tank. It is very hardy, but do not spread out like java moss. It grow slowly and it absorb nurtrient from water. You can take them out and squeeze it to remove the water waste from inside. by doing so, the moss ball helps to remove waste from water.

Ghost shrimp like to spend time on the moss ball.

The moss ball can be found in shallow lake where the wave formed the algae into a ball. When the moss ball grew big, you can divide them into smaller pieces. The smaller pieces will eventually grow bigger and form into more moss balls.

It belongs to family Cladophoraceae, came from Europe and Asia..

Diameter side: 3 - 10cm
Light requirement: Very low to high
Temperature range: 5 - 28 C
Hardness: medium - very hard.
ph : 6 - 8.5

It is actually a very easy plant to grow. However, rather it grows rather slowly.
They are indeed hardy. I am currently keeping some in brackish water with my puffers.
 
Cladophora sp. ( algae ball ) is a type of algae from japan and some lakes in europe. it is easy to grow and is an out competes other types of algae. it likes bright light and cooler water with some movement. i would think it would be good in a set up for newts. One thing I have noticed about mine is that they require a cleaning once and a while to remove debris as they are like little brooms... you can also divide them to make more but they are slow to grow.
 
If it were 2 metres across and rolling around on slate chips you'll win a gold medal at Chelsea Flower show.

So these should be rolled around in a current to keep the shape? If they do not; then what?
 
Well. you can move it by hand. If you do not roll it to keep it spherical, it will just not be spherical. If this is what you like to see, that is cool as well, the plant should still be healthy. You might want to experience with the shape if you like.
 
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Back
    Top