Product Description: The ideal hideout for aquariums and vivariums, the cocoa pod (Theobroma cacao) is an ideal botanical for all ecosystems. Sourced directly from the lush forests of Sumatra, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, these Cocoa Pods offer a unique and natural addition to your blackwater or botanical aquarium. Unlike our other botanicals, our cocoa pods do not impact the water's tint or pH, unless you are using RODI water. Their dark black composition and rough, bumpy exterior provide the perfect hiding place and spawning site for fish like Bettas, Apistogramma, and Plecos. In the vivarium, they are ideal food sources for springtails and isopods, and great caves and resting spots for newts, frogs, and many more. Each pod is hand-selected and harvested with care to ensure the highest quality and sustainability, making our Cocoa Pods an exceptional choice for your aquarium's ecosystem. An abundance of biofilms is known to colonize these pods, so do not be alarmed if, after a couple of days, you have a lush layer of biofilms. It is recommended that you leave these biofilms alone, but if you must, you may siphon them out during your water exchange.  

Not for Human Consumption. Preparation Required.

Betta Botanicals' products are not just about enhancing aquatic ecosystems – they're committed to sustainability. Packaged in bags made of renewable sugarcane, these materials are biodegradable and compostable, reducing environmental impact. Moreover, Betta Botanicals is proud to run on solar energy, taking a step towards a greener future for both your ecosystems and the planet.

Quantities: Available in 1c and 4c Cocoa Pods in either size small or size large pods. Sizes and shapes range. This is a natural product; variation between leaves and botanicals is expected.

Aquarium Botanical Location: Sumatra, Indonesia.

Aquarium Botanical FAQs 

1. Please reference our Shipping and Hassle-Free Return Policy at the bottom of the screen. All Products are packaged inside sustainably sourced and renewable sugar cane fibers allowing them to be fully biodegradable and compostable. Yes, you can bury these bags in your backyard to enrich your soils. 
2. Please refer to our botanical preparation instructions. These Botanicals are grown and harvested in pesticide-free environments and it is recommended to use 2-3 botanical pieces per 5 gallons to start, wait 5-7 days, or for the next water exchange to then add more.
3. Our aquarium and vivarium botanicals, leaves, and seed pods are not for human consumption, ever.
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Commonly Asked Questions:

 

1) Will Botanicals Lower The pH Of My Water?

It entirely depends on your water's chemistry. Soft water will allow the botanicals to lower your pH more than if you have medium or hard water. At Betta Botanicals HQ our tap water is Very Hard, ( 350+ppm) and we do not notice a change in water pH unless using Alder Cones or Macaranga Leaves.

2) What Are The Fluffy White Growth On My Botanicals?

White growths are the colonization of biofilms and fungi. We call this the 'goo phase' and it is totally natural. Botanicals are fuel for the ecosystem and the populations of bacteria and fungi will naturally rise and fall. 

3) I Don't Keep Bettas. Will These Botanicals Be Okay For My Critters?

100% yes. Our botanicals are for aquariums, terrariums, vivariums, and all natural enclosures wishing to recreate a more natural environment.

4) I Have Goldfish and Axolotls, What Botanicals Should I Avoid?

We DO NOT recommend using botanicals that these fish can ingest. Botanicals like casuarina cones, small alder cones, and live oak are not suited for these animals. Large aquarium leaves like Indian almond, loquat, and jackfruit leaf litter are preferred. 

5) When Should I Replace My Aquarium Leaves?

We recommend letting aquarium leaves and seed pods entirely break down into beneficial detritus. You can absolutely remove them after they don’t release tannins anymore, you just won't get all potential benefits of leaving them in the ecosystem.