Ever seen those stunning, natural-looking tanks filled with leaves, seed pods, and driftwood and wondered what they’re all about? Those are botanicals—and they’re more than just decoration. From enriching your water with tannins to supporting biofilm for shrimp and fry, botanicals bring both beauty and benefits to your aquarium. Let’s break down what they are and why you might want to start using them in your setup.
What Are Botanicals?
Botanicals are natural items like dried leaves, seed pods, bark, cones, wood and twigs added to fish tanks to mimic natural habitats. In the wild, these materials fall into streams and rivers, enriching the ecosystem—adding beauty, function, and biological benefits.
Which botanicals are best to use?
Leaves
• Indian Almond Leaves (Catappa): Releases beneficial tannins, antifungal/antibacterial properties. Great for bettas, shrimp, and soft-water species.
• Guava Leaves: Similar benefits as catappa but milder—great for shrimp tanks.
• Mulberry Leaves: Excellent for shrimp—nutritious and breaks down slowly.
• Banana Leaves: Offers a cool texture, great for tannins and shelter.
Seed Pods & Cones
• Alder Cones: Tiny but packed with tannins. Great for lowering pH and fighting fungus.
• Casuarina Cones: Slower breakdown than alder, good for sustained tannin release.
• Lotus Pods: Awesome texture for aesthetics and hiding places for fry/shrimp.
• Cariniana Pods: Large and great for shelter; unique shape.
Wood & Bark
• Cork Bark or Magnolia Bark: Provides good surface area and slowly leaches tannins.
• Cinnamon Bark: Releases tannins and smells great (plus slight antifungal effects).
Tips:
• Always boil or soak botanicals before adding to the tank. This helps remove surface dirt and softens them to sink faster.
• Introduce slowly, especially in smaller aquariums, to avoid a sudden pH drop.
• Shrimp love picking through biofilm that forms on decomposing botanicals!
Benefits of Using Botanicals in a Fish Aquarium
1. Natural Tannins & pH Support
• Botanicals release tannins, which create a slightly acidic, natural blackwater effect.
• Tannins can lower pH, soften water, and promote healthier conditions for species like bettas, tetras, rasboras, apistogrammas, and many more.
2. Antimicrobial Properties
• Tannins also have mild antifungal and antibacterial effects, helping reduce the risk of infections, especially in softer water species.
3. Stress Reduction
• The darkened water and complex environment botanicals create helps fish feel safe and secure, which reduces stress and encourages natural behavior.
4. Biofilm & Microfauna Growth
• As botanicals break down, they develop biofilm—a vital food source for shrimp, fry, and grazing fish like plecos and corydoras.
5. Natural Foraging & Enrichment
• Fish and inverts love exploring and picking at botanicals, which adds mental stimulation and mimics their wild habitat.
6. Breeding Support
• Many fish species spawn more readily in tanks with botanicals, which mimic their natural breeding grounds.
7. Aesthetic Value
• Botanicals help create beautiful, natural-looking aquascapes—from blackwater biotopes to jungle river setups.
Botanicals do more than just add a natural look to your tank—they support a healthier, more balanced ecosystem for your fish, shrimp, and microorganisms. Whether you’re going for a blackwater setup or just want to boost the biodiversity in your tank, incorporating botanicals is a simple way to bring nature indoors. Start small, observe how your tank responds, and enjoy watching your aquarium come to life in a whole new way.