Sapucaia King Pod | Lecythis pisonis
Product Description: The Sapucaia Pod (Lecythis pisonis) is a very special seed pod we have sourced from the Amazon Jungles of Peru in South America. Their hard and woody composition makes them ideal in both bioactive enclosures and botanical aquariums as they can last for literal years in these ecosystems. They are entirely hollow, capable of allowing plecos, dart frogs, or apistogrammas to seek refuge or even spawn in these natural ecosystem materials. Keep in mind that they will require an extra-long boil or multiple days of soaking in the aquarium in order to become waterlogged, and the tannins they produce are a wonderful soft brown color. They will grow intense biofilms at the beginning of their journey in your botanical method aquariums, so either be prepared or give them a thorough initial boil and clean out all residual fruit from inside of the seed pod. We have found that in aquariums of 10 gallons or smaller, it is best practice to clean out the residual fruit unless you have fish like plecos that will consume it quickly.
Not for Human Consumption. Preparation Required.
Quantities: Available in 1c Sapucaia Seed Pods. Measures 8-1" across and 6-8" tall. This is a natural product, and variation between leaves and botanicals is expected.
Aquarium Botanical Location: Peru.
Sapucaia King Pod | Lecythis pisonis
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.