Aquarium Botanicals

We stock a wide range of aquarium botanicals, including leaves, pods, cones and prepared botanical sets, used to recreate natural blackwater and biotope-style setups. Botanicals like catappa leaves and alder cones release tannins as they break down, softening and gently acidifying the water, which suits shrimp, bettas and many soft-water species. Whether you're after a single type or one of our biotope sets covering a specific region, there's plenty to choose from.

Aquarium Botanicals are becoming more popular as people are endeavouring to create a more natural, and closer to nature style home for their fish. A biotope display is becoming much more common.

These more natural style set ups have so many benefits for the inhabitants. They encourage more natural behaviours, and can improve health and colour as well as breeding behaviour. Need any help just pop us an email.  

32 Products

Need a hand?

Most botanicals will sink after a good soak or rinse, and some, like leaves and pods, will slowly break down over weeks or months, which is normal and part of how they work. If you'd rather keep the tannin staining without full breakdown, remove and replace botanicals every few weeks instead of leaving them indefinitely. They're safe alongside shrimp, fry and most fish, and many shrimp keepers use them as a natural grazing surface too. Not sure which botanicals suit your setup? Pop in or give us a call and we'll help you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most benefit from a quick rinse or boil to soften them and help them sink, and to remove any dust or debris from packaging. Boiling also helps release tannins a little faster if you want the blackwater effect sooner.

Some will, especially leaves and pods high in tannins, like catappa leaves and alder cones. This is cosmetic and generally beneficial, but you can remove botanicals earlier or do a water change if you'd rather keep the water clearer.

Yes, they're a popular addition to shrimp and fry tanks. Many botanicals also develop a biofilm as they break down, which shrimp and fry will graze on.

It varies by type, some pods and cones last for months, while leaves tend to break down faster. Once they've fully broken down or you're happy with the tannin level, just remove and replace as needed.