Moos Kugel / Mooskugel - Aegagopila linnaei

The moss ball is actually not a moss at all. It belongs to the very slow growing algae of the Chladophora family. The green, fluffy moss balls actually come from Southeast Asia and first became popular because of the Japanese aquascaper Takashi Amano. Due to wave movements in nature, the round balls are formed in the shore area and are literally shaped. To maintain the round shape of the moss ball, you should turn the balls regularly. With a size of up to 15 cm you can use them in any aquarium.

From a biological point of view, the moss ball has a particularly important function in your shrimp aquarium: It acts as a small filter and provides a large area for microorganisms to settle on which ensure good water quality. The fine hairs of the moss ball also absorb suspended matter and filter it out of your aquarium water. Therefore, you should rinse the moss ball regularly under clear tap water. For shrimp, the moss balls are an absolute dream.

The reproduction of the moss balls can be done in two ways. In nature, the moss ball forms an offshoot by itself, but it only grows very slowly. Alternatively, you can tie off small offshoots with a firm piece of yarn. After some time, the small offshoots can grow on their own.

There are no limits to your imagination when decorating your aquarium with moss balls. You can place a single piece or small group in the foreground or middle ground of your tank. The moss ball looks especially good in shrimp tanks. If the moss ball is cut open, it can also be tied as a carpet on a slate plate and thus give your aquarium a very special style. Some aquascapers have also filled these balls with styrofoam and tied them such, that they float in the aquarium. For sensitive shrimp species, we recommend that you avoid using plastic in the aquarium.

Fact Sheet about the moss ball
Scientific name: Aegagropila linnaei
German name: Mooskugel, moss ball
Growth: Very slow
Height: 2-10 cm
Width: 2-10 cm
Tank placement: Middle ground, Foreground
Difficulty: Easy

Water values:
PH: 6-8
KH: 2-18
GH: 9-30
Temperature: 4-28°C
Light requirements: Little
CO2: Not required
Propagation: Division, separation of daughter plants

Content: 1 moss ball, size S: approx. 2-4 cm