In this blog post, I will discuss some safe and suitable live plants for betta fish bowls. This comprehensive guide will help betta enthusiasts get all their live plant information before adding them to bettas bowls.
Overview
In this blog
- Do betta fish like lots of plants in their bowl?
- What live plants are safe for betta fish bowls?
- What precautions should be taken when adding plants to betta fish bowls?
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
- Reference
Do betta fish like lots of plants in their bowl?
Betta fish should not be kept in bowls, as they need a spacious tank to swim properly. I don’t like the idea of keeping betta fish in bowls and filling them with too many aquatic plants.
There are people who still keep bettas in bowls without a heater or filters. I’m totally against it. Some people keep betta fish in bowls, while others don’t. The debate is very strong on this topic.
Betta fish live in areas with a lot of vegetation, which is why they are often found in water bodies with plants. They love plants because they use them as places to hide, rest, and plants keep the environment clean and fresh.
To keep betta fish happy and healthy, provide them with the same types of live plants they would find in their natural environment. Proper care is essential to keeping them healthy and happy.
I will discuss live plants that are safe and suitable for betta fish bowls. Keep reading the blog to learn more about them
What live plants are safe for betta fish bowls?
In this section, I am going to discuss live plants that are safe and suitable for betta fish bowls.All of these plants are suited for freshwater aquariums.
- Peace lily plant
- Brazilian pennywort plant
- Anubias barteri plant
- Alternanthera Reineckii plant
Peace lily plant for betta fish bowl
- Scientific name: Spathiphyllum
- Order: Alismatales
- Family: Araceae
Peace lilies are safe for betta fish bowls and can be added because of various reasons:
- Peace lilies are relatively easy to grow and care for, making them a popular choice for betta fish bowls.
- Peace lilies are safe for baby bettas because their roots provide them with protection.
- Algae growth can often be seen in bowls and tanks, so peace lilies may help to hinder the growth of algae in bettas’ bowls.
- Peace lilies don’t need direct sunlight, so you should never keep them in the sun as it will increase the growth of algae in their bowls.
Brazilian pennywort plant for betta fish bowl
- Scientific name: Hydrocotyle leucocephala
- Higher classification: Water pennyworts
- Rank: Species
Brazilian pennywort are safe for betta fish bowls and can be added because of various reasons:
- Like peace lilies, Brazilian pennywort are also easy to care for, making them a popular choice for betta fish bowls.
- Just like peace lilies, Brazilian pennywort require the same amount of light to grow and thrive. They do well in indirect sunlight or low light conditions.
- This plant can grow well in the substrate or on the surface of the bowl.
- These plants are low-maintenance, so they are a good choice for beginners.
Anubias barteri plant for betta fish bowl
- Higher classification: Anubias
- Scientific name: Anubias barteri
- Family: Araceae
Anubias barteri are safe for betta fish bowls and can be added because of various reasons:
- Anubias is a perfect plant for betta fish to rest or sleep on because of its thick leaf structure.
- Betta fish thrive in quality water If water quality is affected, they can be susceptible to various infections. Water quality can be improved by using this plant.
- Like peace lilies and Brazilian pennywort, Anubias also need the same amount of light to grow and thrive. They do well in low light conditions.
- These plants are low-maintenance, so they are a good choice for beginners as well as experienced betta fish keepers.
Alternanthera Reineckii plant for betta fish bowl
- Species: A. reineckii
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Genus: Alternanthera
Alternanthera Reineckii are safe for betta fish bowls and can be added because of various reasons:
- They need proper sunlight for their growth, so dont add them if you are adding any of the above mentioned plants in betta fish bowl.
- Easy to care for.
- They make the bowl set up look very beautiful.
What precautions should be taken when adding plants to betta fish bowls?
There are a lot of things to consider when adding plants to a betta fish bowl. It is important to monitor your aquarium plants and fish together to ensure both are thriving.
- Put plants with the same need in the bowls as It will be difficult to meet each plant’s specific requirements.
- Do not place the plant in direct sunlight for an extended period of time, as this may cause algae to build up in the bowl.
- Plants should be trimmed so they do not cover the surface of the bowls where the betta fish go to breathe.
- Dead and rotting plants should be removed as soon as possible to avoid interfering with water chemistry.
- If you are treating infected betta fish with antibiotics or other medications, remove the plant from the bowl or transfer the betta to another bowl for treatment. Antibiotics can kill your plants, and this can cause water to become unsuitable, as it will increase levels of ammonia.
- It’s important to take care when changing the water in a betta fish bowl with plant’s so as not to damage it.
- Since betta fish like to hide under plants, avoid using plastic plants in betta fish bowls, as this can damage their fins.
- Before adding any plants to a betta tank, wash them thoroughly because you never know in what conditions it will be kept for a long time.
- Betta fish have a habit of jumping out of their tanks or bowls when they feel stressed or overwhelmed. Screen tops or lids are used in tanks to prevent betta fish from jumping out. Plants should be arranged in bowls in such a way so that there is some room for betta fish to breathe on the surface.
- Make sure you don’t pack live plants into the entire bowl, leaving no space for betta fish to swim.
- If you’re adding plants that need sunlight to grow, you can also add lights that do the same job as sunlight Obviously, nothing can beat the natural sunlight. It’s just an alternative option.
- Betta fish are not known to nibble plants, so you can be reassured that your plants are safe around them.
- You can add up to four plants in a larger tank, but only one or two in a small bowl. Plant Arrangement is important in bowls too.
Summary
There is much different information about plants that are good for betta fish bowls online. I have written about some specific plants best for betta fish bowls in this blog.
Take care of your aquarium plants by trimming them in time and giving them indirect sunlight for their growth.
It is always important to remove dead and rotting plants from a bowl in order to avoid ammonia spikes.
If you want your betta to live for three years, then don’t put them in a bowl. They don’t belong in small, compact bowls. If you can afford it, get a spacious tank for your fish along with heaters and filters.
It is important to note that betta fish need plants in their tank to reduce stress, hiding and resting purposes. Bowls are not a good choice for betta fish growth, so make sure to get a tank that is spacious.
In my opinion, do not keep fighting fish in small bowls with a lot of plants without filters and a heater.
Betta fish thrive when you meet their basic requirements to survive in an artificial environment
Frequently asked questions
Is it a good idea to keep betta fish in a bowl?
It’s not a good idea to keep betta in a bowl as this will restrict their movement and shorten their lifespan.
Why are live plants important to betta fish?
Live plants are important to betta fish because:
- It helps betta fish to hide.
- It keeps the aquarium environment clean and healthy.
- Betta fish like to rest on live plants.
Can plants remove ammonia from bowls?
Plants definitely have a natural purifying effect, but they will not reduce ammonia spikes in small and compact bowls.
Is it true that rotten plants can change the water chemistry in betta fish bowls?
Yes, if a rotten plant is not removed from a fish bowl on time, it can change the water chemistry and make it unsuitable for fish to live in.
Can you add too many plants to a betta fish bowl?
You should avoid adding too many plants to your betta fish’s bowl as this may suffocate them and also limit their movement.
Do betta fish like to hide when they feel stressed?
Betta fish will often hide under plants when they are feeling stressed.
