Betta And Driftwood

[Kass]

I was trying to decide what to do with my 10-gallon aquarium, and I find myself still enamored with bettas. I found a beautiful piece of spider wood that I'd like to put java moss on for a kind of bonsaI tree look, and I thought it would be very pretty in the tank with a colorful betta swimming around.

I already have the spider wood, but I just thought about the fact that it's kind of rough. I don't want to risk tearing fins, but I really like it!

I'm wondering if I could sand it down and it still be attractive yet safe enough for a long-finned betta. If not, would I still run into the same problems if I went for a plakat or a female betta?

 

[Demeter]

Nah, I think adding the wood after giving it a good scrubbing/sanding will be fine. Boiling it will also sterilize the wood and draw out tannin if you don't want tea water I've got driftwood in most of my betta tanks. They seem to like it and have no troubles with snagging their fins. I would personally get a plakat or girl, because I love them and it seems that shorter finned bettas have less fin problems (fin rot/tearing). But as we all know, you'll find the one when you go looking. You don't choose the betta, the betta chooses you

 

[Kass]

Thank you! I definitely have a preference for the long, flowing fins, at least in the photos of bettas I've been looking at. However, I've seen so many people say the very same thing about how they just love plakats or female bettas, so I'm starting to think that there's something special about them that can't be captured in a photo. I guess I just have to get one and see for myself!

 

[Demeter]

The females and plakats are far more active because they don't have to lug around the heavy fins. My 4 females and male plakat zoom around their tanks, jump for food and are just generally more active. My male CT on the other hand is pretty lazy (but majestic).

I might be pushing my opinions on you, but marbled bettas are my favorite Getting them young usually means you get to watch them go through a color change. Both my males are marbled but the plakat has changed the most. He's mostly black/metallic blue now.

 

[Kass]

A bit of a double tail on him, I see. The color change is really fascinating! You got me thinking.

Considering the activity, I do think I might like one in the 10-gallon. I was initially worried about it looking pathetically empty with a tiny solitary fish, but if it's going to be swimming around a lot more than my old veil tail, then it might be perfect!

 

[potter]

Does driftwood affects your betta in any negative way at all? Or do they prefer some driftwood in their tank. Thanks.

 

[gorejusdesign]

I have one with driftwood and one without. They bother seem content

 

[Feohw]

I have driftwood in all my tanks, my bettas are completely fine. I have anubias/java fern/spiky moss on my driftwood as well and my betta loves to rest on them so I like to have it in my tank. Makes it look natural too. As long as the wood doesn't doesn't have sharp areas all should be good. Really it shouldn't be much of a problem

 

[Repolie]

Driftwood would not negatively affect your betta unless it has sharp edges which could tear your betta's fins. Having driftwood is beneficial as it releases tannins which have therapeutic and antiseptic properties.