Best Plants For Betta Fish: Make Your Betta Tank Pretty And Your Fish Happy
Betta fish are quite hardy and can be kept in small tanks with only moderate maintenance requirements. Furthermore, a betta tank can be a vibrant and attractive centrepiece in any home.
In order to keep a betta tank looking its best, it is important to choose the right tank decorations and plants.
In this blog post, we will explore the best plants for betta fish tanks, and discuss how they can provide a healthy and attractive environment for your fish.
We will look at the different types of plants available, and the unique benefits they can offer. We will also talk about the best practices for setting up a betta tank with live plants, and the kind of maintenance and care they require.
Finally, we will discuss the possible benefits of including plants in a betta fish tank and why it is important to choose the right plants for your tank.
With this information, you will be better equipped to make the best decision for your betta’s tank and create a happy, healthy home for them.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer
Having a fish tank full of all kinds of plants can make your betta happy and healthy!
Firstly, including plants in a betta fish tank is important because plants help to clean the water by absorbing toxins. They also provide a natural environment for the fish to hide and feel safe in.
There are two types of plants you can use for a betta fish tank, real plants and fake plants. Live plants offer a lot of benefits such as providing oxygen and reducing nitrate levels. Fake plants are cheaper and easier to take care of but don’t offer as many benefits as real plants do.
There are many kinds of live plants that you can use for a betta fish tank, all of which offer different benefits. For example, Amazon Frogbit is a great hiding spot for your betta and it purifies the water too.
Anacharis is great for oxygenating the water and also provides hiding spots for your betta. Java Fern is a slow-growing plant that creates a natural-looking backdrop and helps maintain water quality.
Ultimately, plants are an important part of any betta fish tank because they not only make it look pretty but also provide many benefits that help to keep the fish healthy and happy.
Why Plants Are Important For Betta Fish
Plants are essential for the health and wellbeing of betta fish. They provide a natural source of oxygen, helping to maintain clear and clean water.
Plants also act as a hiding place and refuge for betta fish, giving them somewhere to feel secure in their environment. Furthermore, plants can help to filter out toxins from the water, providing a healthier living space for your betta fish.
Additionally, plants add beauty and color to an aquarium, making it more visually appealing and creating an atmosphere that is more conducive to healthy fish-keeping practices.
To sum it up, plants are an important part of any betta fish tank because they offer numerous benefits that are beneficial to your pet’s overall health and wellbeing.
The Benefits Of Having Live Plants In Your Aquarium
Having live plants in your aquarium can be a great addition to your fish collection. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they also provide many benefits for your aquarium.
Aesthetically, having live plants in your aquarium can add color and life to the tank. They also serve as natural filtration devices, helping to remove harmful pollutants and debris from the water.
In addition, live plants help improve water quality by removing nitrates and other toxins from the water.
Another benefit of having live plants in your aquarium is that they provide an increased level of oxygen for your fish.
Live plant roots absorb CO2 from the air and release oxygen into the water, which is beneficial for fish health.
Additionally, having a planted tank provides a safe place for fish to hide when they feel threatened.
It is important to choose the right type of live plant for your aquarium. Some plants are better suited for tropical tanks, while others work well in cold water environments.
There are a variety of different types of plants available, including aquatic and terrestrial plants. Aquatic plants typically grow in water, while terrestrial plants grow on land.
Aquatic plants include cacti, ferns, and water lilies. These types of plants are best suited for tropical tanks because they can withstand high levels of humidity and heat.
Fertilize aquatic plant regularly with fish food or fertilizer to keep them healthy and looking good.
Live Aquatic Plants Versus Fake Plants
Live aquatic plants are beneficial to any aquarium because they provide oxygen to the water, absorb nitrates, and create a natural environment for fish.
Live plants can also improve the water clarity and reduce algae growth. They may require more maintenance than fake plants, but their benefits far outweigh the extra effort.
Plastic plants are cheaper, easier to maintain, and come in a variety of colors that can help brighten up a tank. However, they don’t offer many of the benefits live aquatic plants do.
They don’t produce oxygen or absorb nitrates, and they create a less natural environment for fish since they don’t move with the current.
Ultimately, live aquatic plants are superior to fake ones in terms of providing beneficial elements to an aquarium’s habitat.
The 15 Best Live Plants For Betta Fish
1. Amazon Frogbit
Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) is an excellent choice for betta fish owners who want to provide a natural, healthy environment for their fish.
This floating plant is easy to care for and grows quickly, making it a great choice for established aquariums.
Amazon Frogbit is also known for its ornamental value, as the tiny white flowers that grow on the top of the plant are quite attractive.
It provides great coverage for the surface of the water, helping to maintain a consistent temperature, and the roots provide hiding spots for fish and other aquatic creatures.
2. Amazon Sword Plant
The Amazon Sword Plant is a great addition to any Betta fish tank. This hardy plant grows up to 12 inches tall, and its leaves can reach 6 to 8 inches in length.
The Amazon Sword Plant can tolerate a wide range of water conditions and is an ideal choice for low-maintenance aquarists.
Its sword-like leaves are a great complement to any Betta fish tank, providing a lush, natural-looking backdrop and a place for your Betta fish to hide.
The Amazon Sword Plant is also easy to propagate – just cut the sword off at the base and replant it in a new substrate.
3. Anacharis
Anacharis (also known as Elodea or Egeria) is an easy-to-care-for, fast-growing plant that provides plenty of cover and oxygen for your Betta.
It’s also quite durable and can tolerate a range of temperatures and water conditions. Anacharis can reach heights of up to two feet and has thin green stems and small, pointed leaves.
It’s best to plant Anacharis in a substrate, as it does not attach to decorations like many other aquatic plants. This plant is a great choice for any Betta tank, and can help create a lush, vibrant aquarium.
4. Anubias Hastifolia
Anubias hastifolia has long, pointy leaves that grow in a fan-like shape. This makes it a great choice for betta fish to hide in, as they love to swim around and hide in the leaves.
The plant grows slowly, so it won’t take up much space in your tank. The roots of the plant can be attached to driftwood or rocks in the tank, making it very versatile.
Anubias hastifolia can also help improve water quality by absorbing nitrates and other pollutants, so it’s great for keeping your betta fish healthy.
5. Anubias Nana
Anubias Nana has a unique, dark green coloration with light yellow veins. As a low-maintenance plant, Anubias Nana requires minimal light and nutrient needs.
It’s an ideal option for those who want to create a visually stunning aquarium without a lot of extra effort.
Anubias Nana is also an excellent choice for betta tanks because it’s slow-growing and won’t overwhelm the tank. Additionally, its dense foliage provides plenty of hiding spots for shy betta fish.
6. Christmas Moss
Christmas moss is an excellent choice for aquascaping and is a great addition to any planted betta tank. It can be used as a carpet or a wall, or even a background for your betta fish.
It has a pleasant, green Christmas-like appearance, and its leaves are thick and lush. Christmas moss is a relatively easy plant to maintain in your tank, as it doesn’t require a lot of care.
It can thrive in a variety of water types and temperatures so it is a great all-around plant for any betta fish tank.
7. Cryptocoryne Parva
Cryptocoryne Parva is a great live plant for betta fish. It is an undemanding plant that is relatively easy to care for and looks great in any aquarium.
Its dark leaves and contrasting red veins give any tank a touch of color and style. Another advantage to Cryptocoryne Parva is that it can be grown both submersed and emersed, making it a versatile plant for your betta tank.
It requires medium lighting, which can be achieved with any medium-high light fixture. Cryptocoryne Parva is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant that will bring a lot of color and character to your betta aquarium.
8. Duckweed
Duckweed is a small, fast-growing floating plant that is a great choice for betta fish tanks. It provides a food source for the fish while also providing shade and shelter.
The plant also helps keep the water clean, as it absorbs nutrients from the water, helping to reduce nitrate levels.
It is a hardy plant, so it can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, making it an ideal choice for betta tanks. It is also easy to care for; just skim off the excess each week and replace it with new duckweed.
9. Hornwort
Hornwort is a great aquatic plant for betta fish and other fish species. Despite its name, it’s not actually a type of grass or a type of moss, but rather a species of flowering plant.
Hornwort is a hardy plant that is easy to care for and can survive in a wide range of temperatures. It has long, thin stems that can reach up to six feet in length, and its leaves are bright green, making it a great addition to any aquarium.
Hornwort is a great plant for betta fish because it provides shelter and hiding places for shy or timid fish.
Additionally, it helps to keep the water clean by absorbing excess nitrates, helping to maintain a healthy environment for your fish.
10. Java Fern
Java fern is one of the most popular, widely available, and one of the best betta fish plants.
It’s an extremely hardy and low-maintenance plant that can thrive in a variety of conditions. It requires little light and can survive in a range of temperatures.
Java fern is also a good choice for betta tanks because it’s slow-growing, so you don’t have to worry about it taking over the entire tank.
It also provides a great hiding spot for your betta and makes a beautiful addition to any tank.
11. Java Moss
Java Moss is incredibly resilient and easy to care for, so it is perfect for beginners.
Java Moss grows best when it is attached to a rock, driftwood, or other plants in your tank. It can also be left floating in the tank.
Betta fish love to hide and explore in the bushy green foliage, making Java Moss an excellent addition to any aquarium and a great betta fish plant.
Java Moss also helps keep the water clean, as it acts as a natural filter, removing ammonia and nitrates from the water.
12. Marimo Moss Ball
The Marimo Moss Ball is definitely one of the best live aquarium plants. It is a unique and visually appealing aquatic plant for betta fish.
It is a type of algae that grows in the shape of a small, round ball, and its bright green hue can be quite striking in any tank.
Marimo Moss Balls are low-maintenance, as they are extremely hardy and don’t require a lot of care or attention.
They do need to be kept in a tank with clean water, however, to ensure that they remain healthy and vibrant.
In addition, they are a great choice for betta fish because they are able to survive in waters with a wide variety of temperatures and pH levels. The Marimo Moss Ball is an ideal choice for any betta fish tank!
13. Vallisneria
One of the best plants for your betta fish is Vallisneria. Also known as Eelgrass, Vallisneria is an excellent choice for bettas because of its low light requirements and ease of care.
It also provides a great hiding place for your betta, allowing him to feel safe and secure.
The plant also requires minimal maintenance and can grow quickly, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a low-maintenance option.
Vallisneria grows in a rosette shape and can reach a height of up to 10 inches. Its leaves are long and thin and can either be bright green or striped.
14. Water Sprite
Water sprite is one of the most popular plants for betta tanks due to its easy maintenance and its ability to provide cover for the betta fish.
The water sprite is a fast-growing plant that can reach heights of up to 10 inches, and its leaves are light green in color.
It does well in a wide range of water conditions and is easy to propagate and trim. Its roots are shallow and tend to be much shorter than other aquatic plants, making it a great choice for small betta tanks.
15. Wisteria
Wisteria is a beautiful floating aquatic plant that grows in a variety of shapes and sizes.
It has a graceful, arching habit and small, delicate leaves. It also has delicate, airy flowers that add to its appeal.
Wisteria can be used to provide shade and cover, ideal for a betta fish, as well as to reduce the light intensity.
It grows quickly and does well in a wide range of water conditions. Wisteria is a great choice for any betta aquarium and is a must-have for any serious betta enthusiast.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Betta fish can thrive in a variety of conditions, but they need the right kind of vegetation to survive.
Different kinds of plants can provide them with both a hiding place, food to eat, and a natural environment for your betta to explore.
My personal favorites are Java Moss, Anubias, and Hornwort. They are great options due to their hardiness and compatibility with a Betta fish’s environment.
With the right plants for bettas, you can create a beautiful, healthy, and fun home for your fish.
