Meet My New Pet Marimo

Happened to saw this Marino at Pavilion. I found that it is cute; so I got one of it. Had it's bottle decorated of my own likeness.

Didnt know that it has been a trend since last year. Truly a cute pet I would love.

It is originally from Lake Akan, Hokkaido, Japan. Marimo has became a national treasure of Japan since 1921. That is why it has never been an easy life for Marimo as the lake has always served as a tourist attraction. Many people took this unique plant to sell at a high price and some are taken away by tourists as souvenir. Generally, Marimo is sold in several sizes; Super Giant Marimo (50mm+), Giant Marimo (30mm-40mm) and Nano Marimo (8mm-10mm). The largest Marimo is claimed to have a size of 95cm, approximately 200 years old, as its growth rate is about 5mm a year.


It is very popular in Japan as the Japanese believe that Marimo will bring good luck. Now that even the Taiwanese and Malaysian have started to keep lovely Marimo as pet. The price range for a Giant Marimo is RM40 - RM60 and the Nano Marimo is around RM25. This is pretty expensive for a moss ball but having said that, the cute and lovely Marimo is kept as a 'pet' by the girls. Hence, it is not surprising that they are willing to pay for that price.


Comparing to puppies, Marimo is relatively easy to take care of and keep as a 'pet'. All it needs is just clean water and sufficient light in order for photosynthesis to take place but make sure there is no direct sunlight shines on Miramo because it will experience sunburn too (and turns white)! ^^ Water needs to be replace every 1 to 2 weeks. It is bathed by wringing them out softly like a sponge under running water and place them back into the crystal clear water tank. Not to forget that it has to be turned around every now and then if the tank doesn't have any water flow in order to prevent it from turning brown on one side. Marimo can be very 'active' with a water temperature of 5C - 28C or up to 34C. I was told that it usually floats in the morning and sinks at night. It sinks because photosynthesis takes place and bubbles coming out from Marimo and making it floats but sometimes there is too little bubble to make grumpy Marimo floats. My friend, however, said that Marimo needs to 'sleep' too. That is why it floats in the morning (it's like Marimo is waking up in the morning) and sinks at night (time to bed). Some even said their Marimo are so naughty that sometimes they don't wanna go to 'bed'.