In this article, we will understand the relationship between Betta fish and Live plants. We will also learn more about the best plant species to set up in a betta fish tank.
Are live plants recommended in an aquarium with Betta fish?
Aquatic plants not only assist in cleaning the water by removing waste from your fish, but they also offer a lovely, natural habitat for your betta. Betta splendens is often seen in the wild in densely forested tropical wetlands and rice paddy areas. Thus, aquarium plants provide fantastic enrichment for your betta to explore and sleeping areas at night.
Why have live plants?
Not only can real plants enhance the appearance of your betta aquarium, but they may also assist preserve the aquarium’s water quality. Bettas used to seek shelter in plants and sometimes built bubble nests around them in the wild, so real plants make a betta feel just at home.
Bettas also like resting, perhaps on an ornament or the tank bottom, but more often on a plant leaf. If you add plants to your aquarium, they will give the ideal place for your betta to relax.
Are There Any Issues with Keeping plants?
It is recommended that you maintain plants in your aquarium only if you have an aquarium light — for example, an LED or UV light. There are a few plants, however, that will thrive in the absence of an overhead light, and they are included in our list below. A light will enable the majority of plants to develop to their full potential. After all, light is critical to the health of a plant; plain old photosynthesis.
If you lack an aquarium light or do not want to add one to your setup, fake or artificial plants are an excellent substitute.
Are Living Plants Preferable?
Generally, live plants enhance the vibrancy of an aquarium and give a very natural environment for your fish. Live plants are more beneficial to your fish’s health; certain live plants may even assist maintain the water’s quality.
In terms of upkeep, given that fake plants are not living, they will not need essential water conditions or overhead aquarium lighting. However, the maintenance element of live plants should not deter you Because there are some quite easy-to-care-for living aquarium plants.
Best live plants for a betta fish tank
Java Fern
The Java fern is a popular plant in the aquarium hobby due to its long, thick leaves and minimal maintenance requirements. Java ferns appear in a variety of forms, including needle leaf, trident, and Windelov (or lace) java ferns.
It grows leaves on top and roots on the bottom of a broad, horizontal “stem” called a rhizome.
Rhizome plants are unique in that they grow without a substrate or gravel; just connect them to a rock or driftwood using super glue gel and set them wherever in the aquarium.
Anubias
The Anubias genus is another rhizome plant family that exhibits a wide variety of forms, sizes, and textures. They, like java ferns, may be used in a variety of landscape and aquarium decorations. Rhizome plants may also be planted into the substrate, however, caution should be used to avoid burying the rhizome since this will result in the plant dying.
Anubias plants do not need a substrate and are often seen growing on driftwood and rocks.
Additionally, you may place the anubias in its plastic pot inside an Easy Planter design.
The imitation rock has a very realistic appearance and can easily move about to alter the appearance of your betta fish aquarium.
Marimo Moss Ball
If you’re intimidated by java ferns and anubias, you can’t go wrong with marimo moss balls, the world’s simplest aquarium “plant.” Contrary to their name, these velvety green orbs are neither moss nor plant, but a sort of algae. Their peculiar circular form is the result of being rolled continually about the bottoms of lakes.
Simply place them wherever in the tank that receives little light to “plant” them.
Due to its affordability and unusual appearance, many individuals purchase an army of marimo moss balls to fill their betta fish tanks.
Cryptocoryne
Cryptocoryne plants often referred to as “crypts,” are well-known for their minimal maintenance requirements and ability to thrive in low to high light situations. Cryptocoryne wendtii, one of the most prevalent species, comes in a variety of colors, including green, bronze, tropical, and red. Betta fish often lounge on top of or under their large, wavy-edged leaves. On the other hand, Cryptocoryne parva is one of the tiniest crypts with deep green, narrow leaves and is often employed as a slow-growing foreground plant.
Unlike the majority of the other plants on this list, cryptocorynes prefer to get nutrients from the soil rather than the water column, which is why they like to be planted in nutrient-rich substrates such as root tab fertilizers.
Water sprite
This easy-to-grow stem plant is very adaptable, as it may be planted on the substrate or floated. Its delicate, lacy leaves provide a lush jungle environment for your betta fish to explore and utilize to construct bubble homes.
Water sprite, being a fast-growing species, is excellent at absorbing harmful nitrogen compounds created by fish excrement. If it consumes all the nutrients in the water, supplement it with some Easy Green fertilizer.
Betta Bulb
You may have seen “betta bulbs” being marketed at large chain pet shops and wondered what they were. Typically, you’re dealing with an Aponogeton plant, which has long, light green leaves with a rippling or wavy appearance.
What is a betta bulb?
A betta bulb is simply a tuber that when immersed in water produces an aquatic plant.
They often sprout Aponogetons, a Water Lily-like plant, but have been observed to sprout a variety of other plant species, some semi-aquatic and others aquatic.
Why should I get a betta bulb?
Betta bulbs may be a really enjoyable and intriguing aquarium hobby. Observing a plant grow and develop is an exciting experience, made all the more so when the plant is submerged.
It is well-known that bulbs may contain a variety of plant species, thus not knowing which sort of plant you will get can add to the thrill.
What disadvantages do betta bulbs have?
If a betta bulb sprouts a semi-aquatic plant, be cautious; these plants need light to live, and you do not want the plant growing into the aquarium’s hood.
While growing a plant from seed or tuber in an aquarium is unusual and may be a fun hobby, dropping the bulbs directly into your betta tank is probably not the greatest choice. In certain instances, the bulbs will not sprout and will decay in the tank!
While betta bulbs are a cost-effective option, if you prefer to maintain plants in your betta aquarium, we suggest purchasing pre-grown plants such as those listed above. There is no danger involved, and you are not required to wait for a response. By all means, cultivate some bulbs in a different tank and then move them to your betta aquarium if a healthy plant sprouts.
Conclusion
In this article, we understood the relationship between Betta fish and Live plants. We also learned more about the best plant species to set up in a betta fish tank.
If you have any thoughts or doubts, feel free to drop us a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Are live plants recommended in an aquarium with Betta fish?
Is it safe to have live plants around betta fish?
Not only can real plants enhance the appearance of your betta aquarium, but they may also assist preserve the aquarium’s water quality. Bettas used to seek shelter in plants and sometimes built bubble nests around them in the wild, so real plants make a betta feel just at home.
Which plants are poisonous to betta fishes?
- Hygrophila balsamica.
- Peace Lily
- Pothos
- Water Lettuce
- Lily of the Valley
- Water Hemlock
- Swamp Lily
Do Bettas have a preference for floating plants?
Because betta fish like to congregate around the water’s top, floating plants are an excellent approach to enrich their home’s upper layers. The Amazon frogbit, red root floaters, and even floating stem plants are all popular varieties
What is the minimum number of plants required for a betta?
Use no more than two or three distinct plant species to create a natural-looking ecosystem.
It is often more convenient to grow these plants once the tank has been half-filled with water.
Are plants capable of making betta fish ill?
Meanwhile, when a plant dies, even one that is suitable for bettas, it becomes dangerous for fish. Dead plants degrade in the water, causing ammonia levels to become dangerously high.
To minimize pH imbalances, remove dead leaves and plants that are no longer growing in the aquarium regularly.
References
27 Of The Best Plants For Betta Fish – Including Floating
22 Easy Betta Fish Plants for Beginners (The Complete Guide)
What are the best plants for betta fish?
Top 10 Betta Fish Plants for Your Aquarium
