In this article, we will understand the relationship between Betta fish and Lucky bamboo. We will also learn more about their requirements and explain if they can be set up together in a tank.
Is Lucky Bamboo safe for Betta Fish?
Plants like the Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) may be safely kept in a fish tank if properly cared about. As the plant matches the natural environment of your fish, it will not damage them or your other invertebrates.
It’s not uncommon to find Lucky Bamboo in people’s houses. Easy to maintain, you don’t even need to put it in soil or compost to grow. However, Lucky bamboo is often found flourishing in just a few inches of water. Intriguingly, neither bamboo nor an aquatic plant can be considered a Lucky Bamboo.
Then, what is Lucky Bamboo?
The blossoming lily is known as “Lucky Bamboo” and is native to Cameroon in Central Africa. Tropical woods are the natural habitat of Lucky Bamboo, which thrives despite floods and droughts of all seasons. So, even if you neglect it, you can’t kill the plant because of its extreme hardiness.
As a result of Lucky Bamboo’s versatility and flexibility, it is an excellent choice for use in a betta aquarium.
Water Quality Factors to maintain a lucky bamboo in a betta fish tank
Lucky Bamboo will not grow in brackish or marine aquariums because of the salt content of the water.
A tropical betta tank would benefit from this plant’s ability to withstand temperatures ranging from 65 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. However, Lucky Bamboo may thrive in aquariums with pH values as low as 6.8 and as high as 7.4, as long as the water is kept in the 6.0 to 6.5 pH range.
This can cause yellowing of the plant’s leaves or a slow development rate if the roots are exposed to chlorine and chloramine, respectively.
Planting Lucky bamboo in a Betta fish tank
Lucky bamboo is happy both submerged and above the surface of the water. For this reason, it’s a wonderful choice for aquascaping in tanks of all shapes and sizes.
So that it may absorb nutrients from the substrate and remain securely rooted, the bamboo stem should be buried in up to two to three inches of the substrate material. It can’t handle roots that are too dry.
A gravel substrate is recommended for Lucky Bamboo plants rather than sand or aquatic soil. Plants get enough water and nutrients thanks to the gaps between the gravel bits. Compacted sand and dirt around the roots of plants can lead to the development of hypoxic dead zones, where harmful bacteria can flourish and contaminate your water.
As long as the aquarium lights aren’t too bright, bamboo may thrive in most aquariums with standard fixtures. LEDs, on the other hand, will burn the leaves and destroy your Lucky Bamboo if you want to grow it partially above water.
Fertilizer or CO2 for the Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer, even if you have a tank full of fish that excrete a lot of waste. The water column will provide the plants with the nutrients they require to grow.
This plant uses CO2 for photosynthesis in the same way as other aquatic plants do. Supplemental CO2 isn’t essential because the plant doesn’t develop rapidly. For the most part, the bamboo will obtain all the nutrients it needs from the water column if you have a good filtering system in place.
What is the purpose of Lucky Bamboo in a Betta aquarium?
Besides being a lovely and interesting addition to your betta tank aquascape, Lucky Bamboo has other benefits.
Fish can thrive in a healthy environment thanks to the plants’ ability to oxygenate the water, remove CO2 from the atmosphere, and use nitrates as fertilizer. The root tips of the bamboo, which sprout from the stalks, are also eaten by many fish, making Lucky Bamboo a good supplemental food source.
Do Lucky Bamboo plants live for a long time?
Up to three years is the typical lifespan of a Lucky Bamboo plant when submerged. Bamboo has to be transplanted into soil or compost after a certain amount of time has passed.
Some Lucky Bamboo plants have survived in betta tanks for over five years, but this is not the rule.
What is the growth rate of Lucky Bamboo?
Lucky Bamboo, unlike actual bamboo, is sluggish growth. Because Lucky Bamboo grows more slowly than most plant species, this is mostly down to the amount of light it gets each day. Lucky Bamboo grows at a similar rate as most other houseplants in moderate, indirect light.
The plant, on the other hand, develops more slowly under low illumination conditions in your betta tank.
Is Lucky Bamboo a Betta tank oxygenator?
Definitely. Like other plants, Lucky Bamboo photosynthesizes and releases oxygen as a byproduct of the process. The plant’s leaves provide the majority of its oxygen. Your fish and invertebrates will be able to use the oxygen produced by Lucky Bamboo if you put it near the water surface.
Is Lucky Bamboo toxic for Betta fish?
No, Lucky Bamboo won’t contaminate the water in your aquarium. The idea that traditional bamboo would cause difficulties in aquariums is a misconception. Bamboo indeed emits harmful compounds into the water, creating an increase in ammonia levels that swiftly poison your fish.
In other words, if you drown real bamboo, it won’t grow. As a result, your fish will be poisoned by ammonia released from the rotting roots. Lucky Bamboo, on the other hand, may be safely grown in betta aquariums.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned the relationship between Betta fish and Lucky bamboo. We also outlined more about their requirements and explained if they can be set up together in a tank.
If you have any thoughts or doubts, feel free to drop us a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Is Lucky Bamboo safe for Betta Fish?
Are betta fish harmful to bamboo?
Betta fish don’t consume the plant, you don’t have to worry about hazardous toxins if the bamboo plants are healthy. Even aquarium waste is filtered by the use of lucky bamboo.
Is lucky bamboo safe to use in a fish tank?
The lucky bamboo gets along with just about everyone in the tank. Despite its poor performance against plant-eating burrowing fish, bamboo is frequently planted deep enough to avoid this problem altogether. Furthermore, because of its wide range of growth conditions, bamboo may house more species-compatible organisms.
What is the difference between lucky bamboo and regular bamboo?
The easy-to-care-for lucky bamboo is an excellent houseplant. It’s equally at home in water or soil. Even though it grows at a rapid rate, regular bamboo does not make an excellent houseplant, especially if it is grown in soil. The light that is both brilliant and indirect is needed.
Does lucky bamboo produce oxygen?
Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on the earth, according to the National Geographic Society. During 24 hours, it grew an incredible 47.6 inches. Carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the atmosphere are greatly influenced by the presence of bamboo. For every tree that is cut down, 35 percent more oxygen is released into the atmosphere.
Is lucky bamboo a Bamboo?
Lucky bamboo is a non-bamboo houseplant. Even though it looks like bamboo, it’s named dracaena or Dracaena sanderiana.
References
Lucky Bamboo For Your Betta: Understanding How To Grow It In Your Tank
Bettas or Betta Fish and Bamboo Living Together
Can Bettas live with Bamboo Plants? (Unexpected Answer!)
