What Plants are Safe for Betta Fish?

Incorporating plants into your fish tank offers numerous benefits. Both live and artificial plants can enhance the habitat for diverse fish species, including bettas. Before adding them, consider the specific needs and safety concerns for your betta’s environment.

Are Plants Safe for Betta Fish?

Generally, plants are safe for many fish, including bettas. Both live and artificial options offer enrichment, providing places to explore, rest, and hide. Choose aquarium-specific plants, as some live varieties might be toxic if ingested. Fortunately, bettas tend to appreciate rather than eat plants.

Artificial plants can be anchored in the substrate or secured using suction cups on the tank’s walls. Specialized “betta hammocks,” consisting of single or clustered leaves, attach to the tank’s side. Other fake plants possess “roots” resting on the surface or require substrate anchoring. Always rinse fake plants thoroughly to prevent dust and debris from entering your tank.

Live plants vary widely and can grow at different levels within an aquarium… Quarantine any new live plants separately for at least two weeks if they were previously kept with fish. This period can be used to strengthen them using liquid aquarium plant fertilizer.

Plants to Avoid

Avoid plants that may cause fin trauma. Many causes of “fin rot” in bettas stem from tears caused by objects in their environment. Both fake and live plants can contribute to this, depending on their structure and roots. Over-decorating can risk fin trauma, so adjust decoration amounts based on tank size and shape, ensuring adequate swimming space.

Test for sharp plant parts by running your hand or a sheet of tissue over the plant’s surface. If the tissue tears or you feel sharp edges, it’s unsuitable for a betta. Trim away any sharp structural parts, and cover problematic areas with aquarium-safe silicone.

Safe Plants for Bettas

Consider these plants as top choices for your betta tank:

Betta Hammock

These artificial leaves are beloved by many bettas. Either a single leaf or a small cluster, these plants attach to the side of your fish tank by a suction cup, allowing your betta a safe and secluded spot to enjoy a nice rest. Try adding a few at different heights to see which your fish prefers.

Anacharis

This live plant, eagerly eaten by many fish species such as goldfish, is a slender and soft addition to the aquarium. Since it is very compact, you can add a few stalks together and it can be anchored in the gravel or left floating. The soft leaves are very betta friendly and it grows well with little care.

Silk “Betta-Safe” Plants

Unfortunately, not all silk plants are created equal. These plants typically have broad leaves made out of fabric supported by plastic-covered wires. Although these plants are typically marketed as “betta safe,” they can frequently have sharp points and wires under the soft leaves. Before you add any plant to your betta tank, check it carefully for any parts that may tear a betta’s soft and delicate fins. The ends of plant supports can be easily trimmed with a pair of nail cutters. The base of these plants may also be very pointy. Trim all the parts you can; do not assume your betta will know which is the “safe” part to lay on. If it contains wire in the stems, monitor to be sure the wire is not rusting in the aquarium. Remove any plants that begin to show rusting.

Camboba or Carolina Fanwort

Camboba or Carolina fanwort offers excellent ground cover or an intermediate-sized plant choice for aquariums, fitting soft leaf requirements for bettas. It’s advisable to anchor this plant, as its stems, although not abrasive, can trap bettas if left floating.