In this article, we will understand the relationship between Peace Lily and Betta fish. We will explain if they can be set up together in the same vase.

Can Betta fish live with Peace Lily?

No, It is neither natural nor healthy for the fish. A Peace lily vase consists of a transparent glass vase usually loaded with both Peace Lily and a Betta fish. The Peace lilies’ roots are suspended in the vase beneath where the Betta is housed. Despite its widespread use, this vase is acknowledged to be inappropriate and should not be sold. This is because Peace lily contains some characteristics that can cause some severe problems to betta fish.

Is a Peace lily vase a safe environment for a betta fish?

Many people assume that filling a vase with a variety of plants will create a natural environment. The assumption that putting the fish in what looks like a natural habitat is somehow fundamentally healthier than an aquarium with equipment.mUnfortunately, that assumption is inaccurate.

Betta dwells in shallow pools of water in nature, usually rice fields and marshes. Those waters, on the other hand, represent a complex ecological system that can’t be replicated in a little container. The small rice paddies are part of a larger body of water where pollutants are diluted. Wastes are broken down by scavengers and microorganisms in the water, rendering them harmless to the fish that live there.

A little bowl or Peace lily vase is occasionally mentioned in comparison to the rice paddies where wild Bettas can be found. There’s no question that many owners have heard tales about wild Bettas being forced to live in extremely shallow and filthy puddles. True, Southeast Asia’s rice fields can become fairly shallow and even muddy, but it’s crucial to remember that this habitat is made up of a full ecosystem.

Rice paddies contain a tiny amount of water during certain times of the year, but they are fed from a much bigger body. Aquarists try to replicate these conditions in their home tanks, but they will never be able to completely replicate what nature has provided. Vases and other small dishes are difficult to keep clean. They are subjected to frequent temperature and pH changes, and they may include toxins such as ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates, which are normally stable in nature.

While some may claim that plants can eliminate toxic byproducts, it’s critical to remember that while aquatic plants are the most successful at eliminating nitrate, they may be less effective at removing ammonia. It’s also worth noting that Peace Lilies are terrestrial plants that can’t thrive when their roots are completely immersed. These roots will break down in the water over time, increasing the rate at which ammonia is created.

The following are a few reasons why a Peace lily vase is not suitable for Betta fish:

Water quality
Betta fish breathing
Betta fish diet

Water quality

One important issue with the Lily-Betta combination is the water temperature. Low water temperature is the primary cause of a Betta’s listlessness in a small bowl. Bettas are adapted to tropical conditions, having evolved in places like Thailand, where the environment is hot and humid all year. The Betta prefers water temperatures of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The water temperature is another issue with the Lily-Betta pairing. The principal reason for Betta’s listlessness in a small bowl is low water temperature. Bettas developed in tropical climates such as Thailand, where the temperature is consistently hot and humid throughout the year. Water temperatures of roughly 80 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for the Betta.

Temperature is another factor that contributes to the hazards of keeping your Betta in a Peace Lily vase. Bettas require water that is heated to between 76 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit [24.4 and 26.6 degrees Celsius]. These temperatures must always be continuously monitored and should not change by more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit or 1 degree Celsius during the course of a 24-hour period. These limitations are almost hard to sustain in a vase, much alone practical.

Few people keep their homes at almost 80 degrees Fahrenheit both day and night, so an aquarium heater is normally required unless you have a location in your home that matches the temperature requirements.

Betta fish breathing

The Betta, like other fish, consumes oxygen from the water. On the other hand, the Betta possesses an unusual organ that enables it to breathe straight from the water’s surface. The Betta’s ability to live in water with very little oxygen is due to this organ.

The labyrinth organ is necessary for all Bettas’ survival and is one of the distinguishing qualities that distinguish them from other breeds. Bettas are able to draw air from the water’s surface through their labyrinth organ. This is a product of evolution and is necessary for their existence.

Even though there is enough oxygen in the water, fish with this organ needs to breathe at the surface on a frequent basis, according to studies. Additionally, if the Lily vase is not set up with an open area at the top of the water, the Betta may be deprived of the oxygen necessary for survival.

The combination of a Peace Lily Vase and a Siamese Fighting Fish has remained popular, however, it is neither natural nor good for the fish.

Betta fish diet

Surprisingly, some individuals appear to believe that Bettas consume plants. but no, they’re carnivorous. This is going to be a problem if your Betta eats largely plants. Bettas are sometimes placed in vases with the expectation that they will consume the plants. That is not how things work.

Betta requires animal protein to survive, their natural food consists of insects and insect larvae. Bettas are prized for their ability to keep mosquitoes at bay in their natural habitat. The digestive tract of the Betta fish is short and not adapted to process plants. To satisfy their carnivorous demands, they must maintain a high-protein diet.

Betta fish often eat near the surface of the water. They feed on flies and other insects that float on the water’s surface. When Betta is swimming around in a vase, this can be difficult. You could put live feeders in the vase (for example, some species of worms), but this will overcrowd the vase.

Even though a Betta may subsist on plants for a period of time, this is neither natural nor healthy. Over time, the Betta will be depleted of essential nutrients, making it more susceptible to sickness. Even if they do not succumb to sickness, the fish’s already limited lifespan will almost certainly be cut even shorter.

Are Peace Lily Roots Eaten by Betta Fish?

Many people are persuaded to believe that when maintained in a vase, Betta fish would eat the roots of a peace lily. This isn’t true because Betta fish are essentially carnivores, and they can’t live on foliage alone for very long. If they grow hungry while being kept in a vase without food, they will begin picking at the roots of a peace lily plant for sustenance

This can expose a Betta fish to the potentially dangerous calcium oxalate crystals present in peace lily plants, which can cause serious digestive issues if consumed in sufficient quantities.

That is why keeping a Betta fish near a peace lily plant is not recommended, since you never know when they will become hungry or bored and nibble at the roots.

Conclusion

In this post, we learned a little about why your betta fish should not be kept with the Peace lily.

If you have any thoughts or doubts, feel free to drop us a comment below!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Can Betta fish live with Peace Lily?

Is the Peace lily vase safe for Betta fish?

There are numerous problems that Peace lily can cause to betta fish. One of the most is that, even when the water they live in is oxygen-rich, bettas employ their labyrinth organ. Denying a Betta direct access to the atmosphere is guaranteed death, and in a vase scenario without aeration, death will come swiftly. The fish will be drowned if the lily blocks the water’s surface. You must make sure that the peace lily does not restrict the passage of oxygen into the vase. If this is the case, your betta fish may perish.

Are Peace lilies toxic to Betta fish?

Bettas are frequently sold in glass containers alongside peace lilies or bamboo, which are not aquatic and their roots cannot tolerate being entirely submerged. The surge in pH levels will cause these plants to progressively die and degrade in the water, increasing the rate of ammonia production and poisoning the betta’s surroundings. Also, Peace lily juice and sap possess high calcium oxalate crystal concentrations making it a toxic plant for Betta fish.

Can I keep a Betta fish in a vase of Peace lily?

If you want to keep a peace lily in a vase with betta fish, even though it is not recommended, You must make sure that the peace lily does not restrict the passage of oxygen into the vase.

If this is the case, your betta fish may perish.

References

Toxic Plants for Betta Fish https://thepetsupplyguy.com/toxic-plants-betta-fish/

should-i-keep-my-betta-in-a-vase-1380793

Betta Vases https://nippyfish.net/bettas-101/betta-vases/

Can You Keep A Betta In A Vase? (How To Make It Work) https://www.bettacarefishguide.com/can-you-keep-a-betta-in-a-vase-how-to-make-it-work/