Trumpet Pods | Cariniana legalis
Product Description: Cariniana Pods come from the giant Cariniana legalis tree in Peru, South America. They are found in blackwater habitats containing various species of Tetras, Apistogramma, and Corydoras; however, bettas, shrimp, kuhli loaches, and many others will surely appreciate their cave-like structures for hiding places or areas to spawn. These aquarium seed pods have a very hard outer casing, like many of the seed pods we sell, so their ability to recruit biofilms as supplemental nutrition for our fish and shrimp is quite high. They release the same aquarium tannins we know and love, and that hard outer casing enables them to last an incredibly long time in the home aquarium. This bag and its contents are biodegradable! Did you know our product packaging is made from renewable and sustainable sugarcane? So just like the botanicals inside, it will compost when returned to nature.
Not for Human Consumption. Preparation Required.
Quantities: 8c Cariniana Pods. About 3-4" long pieces 1-1.5" wide, with openings that range between 0.5" to 1" in diameter. Sizes and shapes range. This is a natural product, and variation between leaves and botanicals is expected.
Aquarium Botanical Location: Peru, South America.
Trumpet Pods | Cariniana legalis
Home is getting a bit more natural
While the aesthetic appeal of botanicals and tinted water can be quite attractive to us, the recreation of nature to emulate water conditions, feeding patterns, spawning displays, and territory building are the true benefits botanicals provide to our critters.
Botanical FAQs
Compostable Packaging Promise
Our packaging is designed to return safely to the Earth, just like the botanicals inside. Every bag is BPA- and Phthalate-free, GMO-free, and contains no animal products. Each meets ASTM D6400 composting standards, ensuring it can fully break down in a home compost bin.
What are the Fluffy White Growths on my Botanicals?
That’s biofilm and fungi—what we call the “goo phase.” It’s one of the clearest signs that your aquarium is alive and functioning. These growths wax and wane naturally as botanicals decompose. They’re harmless, even beneficial, and will disappear on their own once microbial populations stabilize.
Will botanicals lower the pH of my water?
That depends entirely on your source water. In very soft or RODI water, botanicals can gradually lower pH as tannins and humic substances accumulate. In medium to hard tap water, buffering capacity often resists these shifts, and you may not notice much change. At Betta Botanicals HQ, our very hard water (350+ ppm) shows almost no pH change unless we use botanicals like Alder Cones or Macaranga Leaves.
When should I replace leaves or pods in my tank?
We recommend allowing botanicals to fully break down into detritus, since this fuels microbial life and enriches the substrate. You can remove them once they stop tinting the water, but you’ll lose some of their ecological benefits. Each time you add new botanicals, follow proper preparation and observe your livestock until you learn your aquarium’s rhythm.
Are your products just for bettas?
Nope. Our botanicals are safe for almost all aquariums, terrariums, vivariums, and paludariums. The only exceptions are goldfish and axolotls, which may ingest small pods like alder cones or casuarina cones. For those species, we recommend large leaves such as Indian Almond, Loquat, or Jackfruit.
What are Tannins?
Tannins are natural compounds released by leaves, seed pods, and bark as they decompose in water. They soften water, gently lower pH, and create the characteristic tea-stained tint found in blackwater habitats. But their role goes far beyond color—tannins fuel beneficial bacteria, fungi, and biofilms, which form the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. They also offer mild antifungal benefits and help reduce stress in fish by replicating the natural conditions they’ve evolved in. At their core, tannins are plant-derived antioxidants that connect your aquarium to the same processes at work in wild flooded forests and streams.
Customer Reviews
Visually appealing in the habitat and a solid fav, if not go to botanical for my apisto's.
Glad to hear that your apistos approve of the cariniana pods. They are one of my favorites for the South American aquarium. -Ben
Excellent!
I put one in my endler’s livebearers 5gallon and they love picking at it. One was finally brave enough to go inside after a couple days. Might put another one in next week. Highly recommended for small fish.