I already have an aquarium with fish. Can I add marimo?
Just like any other living plants, marimo can contribute to the biological balance of an aquarium. Unless you keep large, aggressive fish, such as piranhas or African cichlids, there is generally nothing to worry about.
Fish won’t harm marimo, and marimo will not have any negative impact on the life of your aquarium.
Which fish can live peacefully with marimo?
Generally speaking, all small, commonly kept fish species can live peacefully with marimo. Keeping marimo with a Betta is particularly popular. Other suitable companions include bristlenose plecos and other small catfish, livebearers, tetras, and smaller cichlid species.
Always keep in mind that it is important to adapt your aquarium to the specific needs of the fish you keep. If the conditions are suitable for your fish, they will generally be suitable for your marimo as well.
What about shrimp? Won’t they eat the marimo?
Some shrimp species do feed on algae, but they won’t touch the algae that make up a marimo. If you ever see a shrimp “grazing” on your marimo, it is simply picking off microorganisms for food.
Aren’t marimo jars too small for fish?
Yes, they are. Every living creature, including fish and shrimp, deserves a proper amount of space to live. We therefore strongly advise against adding any animals to marimo jars. If they don’t die within a few days, they are likely to spend their lives in unsuitable and stressful conditions.
For fish, we recommend an aquarium with a capacity of at least 25 liters. In a tank of this size, it is possible to establish a healthy biological balance, allowing small fish species to live comfortably.
