Betta Fish and Mangroves

Betta fish are an inexpensive pet that can liven up any home or office. Bettas (also known as Siamese Fighting Fish) are easy to keep since they don't require air pumped into the water to breathe. You cannot keep Bettas together, though, as they will more than likely kill each other. Most Bettas found in pet stores are males and come in a variety of colors. Bettas are rice paddy dwellers and are more comfortable in small bowls than large aquariums.

Bettas must be kept away from sources of hot and cold air such as heaters, heater vents, cold or sunny windows, drafts, air conditioner vents, etc. It is important that they be kept cool (65 to 75 degrees). Lower temperature allows more oxygen in the water and lowers the animal's metabolism, producing less waste.

With mangrove seedlings in betta bowls, we recommend the water be changed once a month, replacing it with purchased spring water. The mangroves will clean the water themselves for the most part, absorbing waste from the fish while releasing oxygen into the water. To clean your betta, pull the seedlings straight up and out of the anchoring material one at a time, avoiding hitting your fish. Net your fish and place it in a container with at least 3" of spring water. Wash the bowl and contents with hot water and vinegar. Avoid using soap to clean your bowl. It can leave a residue that can be harmful to the fish. Rinse and dry everything thoroughly. Arrange the seedlings in the bowl and replace the anchoring material around the propagules to hold them upright. Add spring water and gently pour your fish back into the bowl, leaving a little space between the water and opening. Never use tap water for your betta.

Bettas like to be fed once a day. We recommend Hikari™ Betta Bio-Gold baby pellets, available in most pet stores. This food floats and leaves less residue than flake foods.

Most of these animals can live for 2-3 years. They are adults and have low metabolic rates, so they eat less food and produce less waste (resulting in cleaner water and a healthy fish).

Mangroves in Aquariums

Mangroves make an excellent addition to any aquarium, whether freshwater, marine fish only or reef tank. Compounds like phosphate, nitrogen and carbon are readily absorbed by mangroves. This results in a reduction in algae growth and produces crystal clear water for those looking for a "natural" method of filtration. They export the unneeded nutrients through their leaves. It is important when leaves are dropped from the plant they are not allowed to decay in the water. Wiping excess minerals from the leaves with fresh water a few times per week is the only care these filtration systems need. You may need to trim the plants if they get too tall, especially in a sump. Just cut the growth off between the leaf nodes and two new buds should grow from each side of the highest node.

Seedlings can be grown in a sump, refugium or directly in any aquarium. They can be floated on top of the water, inserted into a piece of styrofoam or mounted to the side of the tank glass with suction cups. The size of a styrofoam island depends on how many seeds you have. A good rule of thumb is one mangrove for every 10 gallons of tank water.

To make a mangrove floating island, poke holes through a piece of styrofoam with a pencil near the outside edges of the block. The holes should be almost the same diameter as the seed shaft. Cut slits narrower than the hole from the outside edge of the styrofoam to connect to the hole. Push the mangroves through the slits until they sit tight in the holes rather than just pushing the mangroves through a hole in the board (side slits will prevent damage to the leaves).To mount seedlings with suction cups, run a cable tie through the cup at the nub and wrap it around the propagule at the point where green transitions into brown. Make sure that at least 1/2 of the seedling is sticking out of the water when you mount the suction part onto the glass.

Seedlings can also be planted directly into the aquarium by submersing the root systems in the tank, keeping the leaves above the tank lights. The depth of your aquarium will dictate how long a seed you will need. Since most seeds are 8-12" long this may not be a viable alternative and you may have to float some in styrofoam. We sometimes have extra long seeds available, so check with us. Plant the seeds in the sand or in between rocks in a open topped aquarium, illuminated sump or refugium. The roots will take hold in either a sand substrate or in live rock. The sand should be between 1.5 and 2 inches deep. The top of the water should never be above the top of the seed shoulder.

Mangroves in aquariums will not get as large as mangroves in the wild. They will remain small and should be made to stay small by trimming them. Never pinch all the leaves off. Always leave at least two. The roots will get larger, but you can always trim those back as needed.

After about a month, you may have to re-adjust the skimmer or it will not remove anything. If you use the proper amount of mangroves, the skimmer will eventually become unnecessary.

Don't place lights too close to the plants, as the heat can cook the leaves - 12 to 18 inches is a good rule of thumb. Run the lights 12 hours a day. Test the temperature by placing your hand between the light source and the tips of the leaves. If you can feel heat, the light is too close!

There is no need to add special water motion devices in a sump situation. The flow creating by the water coming down from the tank and going back should be enough. Do not run water from the skimmer and do not run ozone in the sump or you will damage the root system.

Should some of your leaves turn brown, you may have too many mangroves for your size tank, the light may be too close, you may need to trim the roots, there may not be enough foodstuff in the water, or they may need iron. Check with your local aquarium expert to see how much iron you may add.

Note: Mangrove propagules are only available from August 1 through October 15

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