Betta Fish in a Vase with a Peace Lily [Detailed Guide]

Ever wondered about the idea of keeping beautiful betta fish in a vase? It might seem appealing at first, but when you consider it from the betta fish’s perspective, it’s not the best idea. However, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ever consider it. Sure, you can place betta fish in a vase for special occasions or decorations, but it’s not suitable for a permanent tank setup.

Adding a peace lily to the vase can elevate the overall aesthetic of the setup. In this blog post, we’ll delve into whether peace lilies are suitable for a betta setup, discuss whether having betta fish in a vase is a good or bad idea, and provide a detailed guide on setting up a betta fish in a vase with a peace lily.

I’m Thaha from AngryFishes, Let’s get started!

Are peace lilies poisonous to betta fish?

One of the first questions that pops into your mind might be, “Is the peace lily plant toxic to betta fish?” Well, the answer depends on your setup. You see, peace lilies aren’t suitable as submerged plants for betta aquariums. Ah, but here’s the thing: most of the time, aquarium salespersons sell it as a plant that can be submerged.

When you submerge the peace lily, it starts producing a substance called calcium oxalate through its sap, which isn’t okay for betta fish and can cause severe intestinal problems. So, if you keep the peace lily inside the betta tank, it’s poisonous to the betta fish.

Setup guide for Betta in a vase with a peace lily:

As mentioned earlier, the peace lily can technically be harmful to betta fish health, so it’s important to follow the setup guide carefully when creating a vase with a peace lily plant for your betta fish, without any careless mistakes.

Pro tip: Opt for a vase with a larger volume, as having more water volume like 5 gallons can reduce the chances of nitrate poisoning or high maintenance.

Choosing the right vases for betta

The first step is selecting the right vase for your setup. Since you’ll be housing a living fish in the vase, it’s crucial to choose one that provides sufficient space.

Aim for a vase with a minimum of 1.5 gallons of water, which makes your betta have good water quality. However, if you’re only planning to use it for decoration purposes for a short period, smaller vases could do the job. Still, our recommendation is to opt for a larger vase for better betta well-being.

Vases come in various types such as Milkcan, Cylinder, Bud, Mason jar, Bowl, and more. It’s ideal to pick a vase with a broad width so your betta can swim freely, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of its tail and color patterns.

Substrates for vases:

The next step is adding substrate to your betta vase setup, which is a secret tip to enhance both its beauty and your betta’s well-being. Let me break it down for you. Since the vase contains a lower water volume, even small betta waste can suddenly disturb the water quality. Plus, if you don’t add any substrate, the waste will just sit at the bottom, which isn’t aesthetically pleasing.

To tackle these issues, the solution is PEBBLES or GRAVELS. Adding gravel or pebbles as a substrate for your betta vase can trap the waste, keeping it from affecting the water quality, thanks to the gaps between them.

Plus, the pebbles can add a unique vibe to your vase setup based on the type of betta or color you choose, enhancing its overall appearance. So, when you’re planning for this setup, make sure you grab a pack of gravel too.

Adding water:

Next up is water. You’ll want to add aged and conditioned water to the vase setup. Before pouring the water into the vase, give it a good rinse with regular water to remove any dust or chemicals. Then, add the aged and conditioned water.

Aim to keep the water level slightly below the neck of the vase, as adding plants or substrates might cause the water level to rise a bit during the addition.

Preparing the peace lily:

Once you complete the setup, move on to plant preparation:

• Carefully disconnect the plant from the pot, ensuring not damage the roots of the peace lily.
• Wash the roots with normal water until all sand and dust are completely washed off.
• If the roots seem too lengthy and might touch the bottom of the vase, it’s suggested to trim them using scissors. Be cautious not to cut too little or too high.
• After trimming, place the peace lily on the top of the vase. Check if it still touches the bottom; if so, give it an additional cut.
• If everything looks good, tie the peace lily stem to the top opening of the vase using a thin thread to ensure the plant doesn’t submerge or fall off

Introducing the betta and monitoring:

Now it’s time to introduce your betta to the set-up vase. Here’s how:

• First, acclimate the water conditions, such as temperature, by placing the betta container inside the vase for some time.
• Next, give your betta a glimpse of the water by adding a few milliliters of vase water to the betta container.
• If everything looks good, transfer the betta fish to the created vase setup.
• Once the betta is introduced, observe for any abnormal behaviors, such as signs of stress, dark spots in the tail, or unusual swimming patterns.
• If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to return the betta to its old tank and address any issues with the vase setup.

Care for Betta fish in a vase setup:

Setups like this require frequent attention because they only have a smaller water volume, which increases the chances of nitrate poisoning. So, to keep your betta fish happy, it’s essential to provide regular care for the vase with the peace lily setup.

Here are some general care tips for betta fish in a vase with a peace lily:

• Perform regular water changes of about 30-40%.
• Clean any algae that may accumulate.
• Wipe the glass portion of the vase with a tissue

Dos and Don’ts when planning bettas in a vase with a peace lily

As we’ve mentioned, the betta in a vase setup with a peace lily on top can be okay for temporary or decorative purposes only. However, using this setup as a permanent tank for your betta is not advisable.

Here are some dos and don’ts to ensure you have a clean and healthy vase setup for your betta fish:

Don’ts: Avoid allowing the peace lily roots to grow excessively, as this can impede your betta fish’s ability to swim freely.

Don’ts: Don’t keep the betta in a very small vase with poor water quality.

Dos: Consider having a vase with a heater and filtration setup. This can be a great option for keeping the betta in the vase permanently, ensuring good water quality.

Wrapping Up:

So, planning a betta vase with a peace lily is an amazing decor idea for your home and a fun DIY project. However, keeping your beloved betta fish inside a small glass container isn’t the best option. Therefore, it’s better to plan this as a temporary idea or a decorative vase for a shorter time. Additionally, peace lilies aren’t suitable for betta fish as submerged plants, so having them as a plant on top model would be a better option.

I hope this blog post helps you set up a vase with a peace lily alongside your betta fish. If you have any doubts or need clarification, feel free to comment below. See you another day. Thank you and goodbye!

Signing off, Thaha

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Images Credits:

• Pexels – Elle Hughes, Cotton Bro, Christina Chekhomova, Gerardo Manzano