Best Plants for Betta fish.If you’re putting up a tank for your new betta fish, this is a question you’ll be asking. Did you know that betta fish love all kinds of plants? They certainly do!
Thick planting gives a safe haven for your betta, flat-leaved plants make a hammock for your pet to relax in, and free-floating species are ideal for making bubble nests and sheltering young.
You’ll need to know whether to utilize real or fake plants if you’re a beginner. You should also be aware of the varied plant types’ maintenance and care requirements.
Bettas should not be kept in small aquariums or jars. Yes, they are labyrinth fish with the ability to breathe oxygen from the surface of the water, allowing them to survive in low-oxygen environments. A fish of this kind need a suitable habitat that reflects their native environment by including natural plants that provide oxygen to the water.
Live aquarium plants will also soothe them and assist them in relaxing, allowing them to live a long and happy life. In this post below you will get to know about the Best Plants for Betta fish and benefits of live plants in betta fish.
Do Betta Fish Eat Plants?
Although plant materials and algae make up a small part of their diet in the wild, betta fish are properly categorized as omnivores. The betta requires a high-protein diet, with meaty meals providing the majority of the protein.
You may notice your betta nibbling at the plant’s leaves if you have algae developing on the live plants in your betta’s tank. But it’s the algae that your pet is wanting, not the plant itself.
Betta-Safe Plants
The majority of common aquatic plants that can be used in a planted betta aquarium are safe for bettas.
Many plants are sold with a betta bowl or a vase with a plant on top. On the other hand, should never be placed in an aquarium.
Bamboo and peace lilies are among those plants. Although your betta won’t consume the plants, they could contain toxins that are harmful to fish. The same may be said for betta fish terrariums, which frequently contain houseplants instead of actual aquatic animals.
11 Best Plants for Betta Fish
1. Amazon Sword
The Amazon Sword, one of the most popular betta fish plants, comes from the rich Amazon River basin. Which is home to a vast variety of aquatic plants.
Betta fish enjoy relaxing on the plant’s large leaves, which provide a safe haven for them in their natural habitat. Furthermore, the plant may grow to a maximum height of 16 inches, providing adequate space for bettas to hide from the tank’s string lights.
This plant, like bettas, can become accustomed to living in harmony with other plants. One of the most notable characteristics of this plant is its ability to withstand a wide range of temperatures, making it a low-maintenance plant.
2. Water Wisteria
The ability to grow in dim illumination is one of the reasons why bettas Water Wisteria is so popular. You won’t have to worry about substrates with these plants because normal sand will suffice.
The distinctive patterns on the broad leaves add interest to your betta’s environment. Wisterias are one of a kind because they change shape based on how they bloom in a fish tank. Bettas frequently use this plant to rest and hide inside their tanks.
3. Marimo Moss Balls
They are low-light tolerant plants that produce their own food through photosynthesis. As a result, maintenance will be minimal with this one. You must, however, keep it out of direct sunlight.
This plant is loved by all species of Betta fish because it helps to keep the betta’s habitat clean by absorbing poisonous nitrates inside the fish tank. Your bettas will be tossing them around inside the tank, playing with them whimsically.
Another reason to admire this plant is that it can easily survive to be 100 years old. Aren’t they going to be fantastic heirlooms?
Also see- 18 Benefits of Marimo Moss Balls in Aquariums
4. Anacharis
This plant, which originated in South America, may survive in any well-lit environment. The long green stem with dense leaves provides lots of hiding and resting space for betta fish. These plants require a lot of nutrients from the water, which reduces the opportunity for algae to thrive in the area.
The Anacharis leaves are said to injure bettas’ fins, however, this is a rare occurrence. If you notice this circumstance, though, you can remove them and test the theory thereafter.
5. Glossostigma
This plant, also known as Glosso, is a common Japanese water plant found in lakes and ponds.
It’s known for its vibrant green color, which creates lovely seascapes inside the fish tank. Because the plant only grows to a height of a few inches. You must be careful when matching it with other tall plants to avoid their being overshadowed. If you want your tank to have a Japanese theme, this plant is probably one of the best plants for betta fish.
6. Java Fern
Java Fern is a slow-growing fish plant native to Southeast Asia. It is one of the easiest fish plants to care for. Because they function as water filters, keeping this plant in your fish tank is beneficial.
These plants may flourish in low light conditions and reproduce more quickly. However, because their leaves sprout from the rhizome, you must keep a watch on it.
Even the most hyperactive fish require hiding spots, which the Java Fern provides.
7. Anubias Barteri
It’s not uncommon to see anubias with bettas in the same tank. There’s a reason for this.
This dark green plant grows to a height of around 7.5 inches and thrives in the tank’s substrate level. Bettas like to relax on the large leaves of this plant and hide behind them when they’re afraid.
In ordinary lighting, Anubias can swiftly grow. These plants do not necessitate any further care. You can just plant them in the bottom of your tank and watch them grow.
8. Hygrophilia
On this list, it is one of the largest plants you will see. To see its entire beauty, you’ll need a tank with a height of at least 28 inches and a capacity of at least 20 gallons. Your bettas will be able to hide and rest under the large leaves of Hygrophila.
Sufficient lighting in the tank will maintain the leaves robust enough for the bettas to rest on. This plant is nearly impossible to kill once fully developed.
9. Duckweed
Duckweed is the plant to use if you want to create a swampy atmosphere in your aquarium. It’s one of the fastest-growing plants in the water. This plant lives on the tank’s surface and absorbs excess nutrients, ensuring that the habitat remains healthy.
The frantic replicating ability of this plant. On the other hand, might result in duckweed taking up all of the surface space and obstructing natural light from entering the tank. To keep the duckweed under control, acquire a plastic ring to limit it in a specific region or trim it once a week.
10. Banana Plant
This plant is one of a kind, with green tubers that at first appearance resemble bananas.
The plant will develop a long, slender stem that will produce a lily pad leaf on the tank’s surface where the bettas can rest. These stems emerge from the substrate and can grow to be more than 25 inches long when fully mature. It’s one of the greatest plants for betta fish because of its shapely appearance and ease of cultivation.
11. Java Moss
Java Moss is a betta’s favorite plant, so we’ll save the best for last.
It’s simple to produce, manage, and destroy, and it’s wonderful for aquascaping. Best of all, bettas adore it! The bettas can be seen exploring the moss jungle, which will keep them busy all day.
And, of course, these fluffy little moss balls will substantially improve the appearance of your tank.
Benefits of live plants in betta fish.
Live plants, unlike imitation plants, require varying amounts of maintenance and can provide a variety of extra benefits. Live plants for betta fish tanks can help to oxygenate the water and lower hazardous ammonia and nitrate levels, which can cause your betta to get stressed or even die.
They provide hiding and resting spots for betta fish, similar to imitation plants, and can keep them from becoming bored. Fin biting and other undesirable side effects might result from boredom.
If properly cared for and propagated, live plants may also be less expensive over time. Advanced aquarists may even have a separate tank with exclusively living plants to sustain their community tanks or simply to enjoy the beauty of the aquascape.
Plants that have been propagated can be moved around the tank or into other tanks to initiate new growths.
Important: Always inspect live plants for rotting, discolorations, and overall health while buying for them in person. Plants that appear to be dying should not be purchased. Also, be cautious when buying plants for your betta from communal tanks (not recommended).
These living plants can, and frequently do, carry common aquatic infections that can make bettas sick or kill them. Prior to introduction, they must be isolated. Follow the instructions on the packaging for single tubed and packaged live plants.
There’s no doubt that adding appropriate aquarium plants to a Betta fish tank will improve their living conditions. As long as the water parameters are conducive to plant growth. Plants that are exposed to bad water conditions or insufficient lighting will die and pollute the water.
They’ll thrive if you give them the perfect amount of light for the right period of time per day and a little plant food to help them focus their growth.