Aquatic plants are as beautiful to look at in our aquarium as they are important to improve the aquarium environment. Aquatic plants regulate oxygen levels in our aquariums and reduce the chance of ammonia build-up. As a result, our betta fish live longer and stay healthy.
Our betta fish rests on the surface of aquatic plants and hides behind the plant when it senses danger. It is essential to keep aquatic plants in the aquarium as an ideal home for betta fish, so today our topic is about aquatic plants for betta Fish.
Best plants for betta fish:
Discussion of aquatic plants for betta fish we have discussed only those plants, which are completely safe for betta fish. One thing we need to keep in mind is that we cannot put any plant in a betta fish tank without knowing it well. Because our betta fish can react differently to that unknown aquatic plant.
Marimo Moss Ball:
Moss balls usually grow very slowly. Typically 5 to 8 year old moss balls are 1.5 to 5 inches in diameter. These moss balls are found in freshwater lakes of various countries such as Japan, Russia, Iceland, Scotland, Ukraine.
Since these balls are very small in size, we can keep them at the bottom of the betta fish tank. These balls are usually composed of algae so they are very hardy. But occasionally we need to change the aquarium water otherwise these marimo moss balls will become very dirty and black in color.
Generally these moss balls grow best at temperatures below 77°F. Not only this, these moss balls do not require any separate fertilizer or food. They can prepare their own food through photosynthesis in the presence of only a small amount of sunlight. So marimo moss balls are ideal aquatic plants for our betta fish tanks.
Sword Plant:
Sword plant is a very popular freshwater aquarium plant. Sword plants are native to Cuba, Mexico, Central America, Brazil and Paraguay.
Sword plants can grow up to 12 inches if properly cared for. So for the plants we need a large tank with a water holding capacity of at least 15 gallons or more.
The ideal water temperature for sword plants is 64° to 82° F and the ideal pH is 6.5 to 7.5. A 10 to 15% water change at least one day per week is essential for these plants. The ideal substrate for sword plant growth is sand, gravel and specific soil for aquarium plants.
Although the presence of a small amount of sunlight is important. That’s because sword plants make food through photosynthesis in the presence of sunlight.
Anubias Nana:
The anubias nana plant is native to West and Central Africa. This plant grows very slowly although the maximum plant size is about 7 inches. The plant can grow well in very little light.
Ideal water temperature for anubias nana plant is 72° to 80° Fahrenheit and ideal pH is 6 to 7.5. This plant will need a tank that can hold at least ten gallons of water.
Not only this, anubias nana plant helps to control the oxygen content of the aquarium water and reduce the nitrate content. This plant does not need any added CO₂ to keep it in our aquarium, but an occasional liquid micronutrient fertilizer is very good for the plant.
Anubias Nana plant grows best when its rhizome is attached to a solid substrate, such as small stones or pieces of wood used in aquariums. So anubias nana plant is considered as an ideal plant for betta fish.
Java Ferns:
Java ferns are the most widely used aquarium plants worldwide. This plant is native to the island of Java, Indonesia, although the plant is found in several Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Southern India and parts of China.
Although the Java Ferns plant is extremely hardy it does not require much care. The ideal pH for this plant is 6 to 8 and the ideal temperature is 70° to 85°F.
We can grow Java Ferns plants on any surface such as sand, pebbles, aquarium soil, etc. However, if we keep the roots of these plants attached to a hard surface such as wood and small stones, then their rhizomes grow quickly, so that our plants can grow well.
There is no need to add CO₂ to Java Ferns plants separately, but occasional use of liquid fertilizer is very good for their growth. But one thing we must keep in mind is that 10 to 15% water change every week is very necessary for this plant.
Cryptocoryne:
This plant is native to Sri Lanka. The normal size of the plant is 8 to 10 cm but in some cases they grow up to 25 cm.This plant is very attractive to those of us who keep plant-based aquariums at home.
The ideal temperature for cryptocoryne plants is 68° to 85° Fahrenheit and the ideal pH value is 6 to 7.5. Light is very important for this plant so little sunlight and aquarium lights are essential for this plant to grow.
Although CO₂ and liquid fertilizers are not required separately for cryptocoryne plant. The growth of this plant is very slow so it is not advisable to move it from one place to another place again and again as a result of which the roots of the plant are damaged and the plant may even die.
Ideal substrate for cryptocoryne plant is small rocks or wood suitable for use in aquariums. The rhizomes of this plant tend to grow based on small stones or wood, although this plant grows very slowly. Cryptocoryne plants are ideal for our betta fish tanks.
Water Wisteria:
Water Wisteria plant is native to India and neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal. Light is a very important factor for this plant, so we should use this plant in an aquarium that receives a small amount of sunlight. Also this plant needs five to six hours of bright light daily.
Liquid fertilizers and mineral supplements are very important for their growth. We can also inject CO₂ into our aquarium which makes Water Wisteria plants grow very well.
The ideal water temperature for these plants is 70° to 85° F and the ideal pH is 6.5 to 7.5. However, the ideal substrate for these plants is aquarium sand or aquarium soil.
Not only this, Water Wisteria plants grow very quickly if properly cared for. Usually these plants are 10 to 12 inches in size so we should use an aquarium that can hold at least 10 gallons of water.
But one thing we need to keep in mind is that for Water Wisteria plants we need to change small amounts of water every week. Also, since the plants are bunchy in nature, whenever any leaf or part turns yellow, we have to cut that part and throw it out of the aquarium.
Anacharis:
The anacharis plant is native to South America. This plant is very popular with those who keep plant-based aquariums.
The ideal water temperature for these plants is 72° to 78° Fahrenheit, although they can survive lower temperatures. The ideal water pH for these plants is 6.5 to 7.5.
These plants require 8 to 10 hours of light daily. It is best if we place our aquarium in a place where a small amount of sunlight can reach. Even too little light can kill this plant so light is a very important factor for this plant.
Sometimes it is very necessary to use liquid fertilizers and CO₂ supplements in our tanks. These plants grow rapidly in the presence of adequate amounts of liquid fertilizer, CO₂ and sunlight.
1.5 to 2 inches of nutrient-rich aquarium gravel and aquarium soil should be used for this plant. This plant substrate is ideal for our betta fish, a variety of snails, and a variety of small fish.
Floating plants:
We keep a variety of plants in our betta fish aquariums but mostly use floating plants just for their beauty. Floating plants help control the oxygen and nitrate levels in our tanks. Not only that, many fish survive by consuming the rhizomes attached to the roots of these floating plants.
Generally we use three types of floating plants in betta fish tanks such as Water lettuce, Frogbit, Salvinia Minima.
The water lettuce plant is native to Africa and South America. This plant is very hardy and grows easily in any environment. Although this plant prefers slightly warmer water, 72 to 86°F is considered ideal. The ideal pH of water should be neutral for proper Water lettuce plant growth.
Many say water lettuce plants are not very good for betta fish. That’s because the root of water lettuce plant contains some harmful substances that can cause digestive problems to our betta fish if consumed. However, no exact information is yet available on this matter.
The frogbit plant is native to Europe and Salvinia minima is native to South America. Both of these plants are ideal for our betta fish tanks as floating plants. The ideal temperature for these plants is 65° to 90° Fahrenheit. The ideal water pH for these plants is 6. 5 to 7.8.
The most important factor for these plants is the presence of light. A small amount of daily sunlight is essential. A liquid fertilizer and CO₂ supplement at least once per week is essential for the growth of these plants.
These floating plants grow quickly so we need to be careful not to cover the entire surface of the betta fish tank with the plants. Although the surface of these plants is very comfortable for our betta fish, we can say that floating plants are ideal for betta fish tanks.
Do betta fish really need aquatic plants?
Keeping plants in the Betta fish tank is a very good practice. That’s because if we keep aquatic plants in our aquarium we control the amount of oxygen and ammonia in our aquarium.
Not only that, aquatic plants help improve our aquarium environment, and are considered the perfect substrate for our betta fish. Many times we have seen our Betta fish hide themselves behind these aquatic plants, which relieves the fish of a lot of stress.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t keep betta fish without aquatic plants. Apart from aquatic plants we can keep betta fish healthy. For that we have to follow some proper rules like, changing small amounts of water at least one day every week, controlling water temperature, using water filters etc.
What plants are toxic to betta fish?
Betta fish generally do not consume plant foods. However, sometimes due to lack of food, they are forced to eat plant food.
Betta fish often nibble on the roots of aquatic plants in the aquarium. Therefore, betta fish tanks should not be kept with plants that are likely to contain toxic substances. Especially those aquatic plants that contain calcium oxalate should not be used at all. Below are some plants that should not be kept in our betta fish tank like,
- Peace Lily
- English Ivy
- Pothos
- Dieffenbachia
- Alocasia
- Hygrophila Balsamica
- Water Hemlock etc.
Do Betta fish like live plants?
We usually use two types of plants in two fish tanks, live plants and artificial plants. Artificial plants are only used to enhance the beauty of the aquarium. Artificial plants cost less and do not require any special care. We can keep artificial plants in our aquarium for a long time.
Live aquatic plants enhance our aquarium environment. For live plants we have to use special liquid fertilizers and CO₂ supplements. Live plants help regulate the amount of oxygen in our tanks. Most importantly, live plant surfaces are loved by our betta fish. Therefore, live aquatic plants are ideal for betta fish tanks.
Welcome to our website Aquarium Fish Zone. My name is Sagar Ghosh and I live in Kolkata. I am a science graduate.
I have kept fish in aquariums since I was very young. I loved seeing the colorful fish in the aquarium.
I have always tried to maintain and care for the fish properly. So me and my team members have created this website.As a result, we can provide you with accurate information about how aquarium fish are kept.