Can You Put Fish In A Terrarium Terraria – The Ultimate Paludarium

Written ByHoward Parker

Have you ever gazed at a lush, green terrarium and thought, “This is beautiful, but it’s missing something”? Then you look over at your vibrant aquarium and have the same thought. What if you could combine the best of both worlds—the misty, terrestrial paradise of a terrarium with the serene, aquatic life of an aquarium? It’s a stunning vision, and it’s a question we get a lot here at Aquifarm.

The idea of merging these two hobbies is incredibly exciting. It taps into our desire to create a complete, self-contained ecosystem right in our living room. You’re not just keeping plants or fish; you’re becoming the architect of a miniature world where land and water meet.

Imagine a waterfall trickling down moss-covered rocks into a crystal-clear pool where tiny, colorful fish dart between plant roots. This isn’t a fantasy. With the right knowledge and a bit of planning, you can create a breathtaking living art piece that will be the centerpiece of any room.

So, let’s dive in. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how can you put fish in a terrarium terraria, transforming a simple idea into a thriving, beautiful reality. We’ll cover the right terminology, the step-by-step setup, and the best practices to ensure your new ecosystem flourishes.

First Things First: It’s Not a Terrarium, It’s a Paludarium!

Before we go any further, let’s clear up a common point of confusion. When you add a significant water feature with aquatic life to a terrarium, you’ve officially created a paludarium (from the Latin word palus, for “swamp”).

Think of it like this:

  • Terrarium: A sealed or open glass container for growing terrestrial plants, often with high humidity. No significant standing water.
  • Aquarium: A fully aquatic environment for fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants.
  • Paludarium: A hybrid environment that features both a land area (terrarium) and a water area (aquarium) in the same enclosure.

Understanding this distinction is the first step. A standard terrarium is not suitable for fish. It lacks the water volume, filtration, and stable parameters fish need to survive. So, the real question isn’t “can you put fish in a terrarium,” but “how do you build a paludarium?” Don’t worry—it’s an incredibly rewarding project, and we’re here to guide you.

The Essential Guide: How to Can You Put Fish in a Terrarium Terraria (The Right Way)

Creating a paludarium is a creative process, but it requires a solid technical foundation. This can you put fish in a terrarium terraria guide breaks down the process into manageable steps. Follow these, and you’ll be well on your way to a stunning setup.

Step 1: Planning and Choosing Your Enclosure

The foundation of your build is the tank itself. You’ll want a taller enclosure to accommodate both land and water sections. A front-opening terrarium or a tall aquarium (like a 20-gallon high or a 40-gallon breeder) works perfectly.

Before you buy a single rock, sketch out your design. Decide on the ratio of land to water. Will it be 50/50? Or a small pool with a large landmass? This decision will influence your choice of inhabitants later on.

Step 2: Building the Foundation (Substrate and Hardscape)

This is where your world takes shape. You need to create a barrier between the land and water sections.

  1. Create a False Bottom: For your land area, start with a “false bottom.” This is a drainage layer made of lightweight LECA (clay balls) or lava rock, covered by a mesh screen. This prevents the soil from becoming waterlogged, which is crucial for healthy terrestrial plant roots.
  2. Install the Barrier: Use aquarium-safe silicone to glue pieces of acrylic, rock, or driftwood into place, creating a dam to hold back your land substrate and separate it from the open water area. Let the silicone cure for at least 48 hours.
  3. Add Substrates: In the water section, you can use aquarium sand or fine gravel. On the land section (above the false bottom), use a terrarium-specific substrate mix. Many keepers create their own “ABG mix,” which typically includes peat moss, sphagnum moss, charcoal, and orchid bark.
  4. Place Your Hardscape: Now for the fun part! Arrange your driftwood, rocks, and cork bark to create caves, ledges, and a natural-looking transition from water to land. This is the skeleton of your ecosystem.

Step 3: Setting Up the Life Support System

A paludarium is a delicate ecosystem that needs the right equipment to thrive. This is a key part of our can you put fish in a terrarium terraria care guide.

  • Filtration: Even a small body of water needs filtration. A small internal canister filter, a corner sponge filter, or even a tiny pump powering a waterfall feature can work. The goal is gentle circulation and biological filtration.
  • Heating: If you choose tropical fish, you’ll need a small, adjustable aquarium heater. Choose one appropriately sized for your water volume—not the total tank volume.
  • Lighting: This is critical for both your aquatic and terrestrial plants. A full-spectrum LED light designed for planted aquariums is your best bet. It will provide the right wavelengths for lush growth both above and below the water.
  • Misting/Humidity: Most paludarium plants thrive in high humidity. You can achieve this by manually misting once or twice a day or by installing an automated misting system for a more hands-off approach.

Step 4: Cycling Your Water Feature

This step is non-negotiable. Before you even think about adding fish, you must cycle the water portion of your tank. This process establishes a colony of beneficial bacteria that converts toxic fish waste (ammonia) into less harmful compounds (nitrates).

This can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. You’ll need an aquarium test kit to monitor ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Only add fish once ammonia and nitrite consistently read zero.

Choosing Your Inhabitants: Best Fish and Plants for Your New Ecosystem

The small water volume in most paludariums limits your choices for fish. You need small, hardy species that can thrive in a shallow, low-flow environment. Here are some fantastic options.

Hardy Fish for Small Water Features

  • Chili Rasboras (Boraras brigittae): These tiny, fiery-red fish are stunning and stay very small (under an inch). They are perfect for nano water features.
  • Ember Tetras (Hyphessobrycon amandae): Another nano fish, these bright orange tetras are active, peaceful, and do well in small groups.
  • Endler’s Livebearers (Poecilia wingei): The males are incredibly colorful, and they are extremely hardy. Be warned: they breed readily, so you may want an all-male group!
  • Least Killifish (Heterandria formosa): One of the smallest livebearers in the world, these are subtle but fascinating fish native to the US. They are tough and adaptable.
  • White Cloud Mountain Minnows (Tanichthys albonubes): A great choice if you don’t want to use a heater, as they prefer cooler water.

Pro Tip: Avoid fish known for jumping, like Hatchetfish. In a shallow paludarium, they might easily end up on the land portion.

Ideal Plants for a Thriving Paludarium

Your plant choices will truly bring the environment to life. You’ll need both aquatic and terrestrial/epiphytic species.

  • Aquatic: Anubias, Java Fern, and Bucephalandra are excellent choices. They can be tied or glued to rocks and driftwood and can grow partially or fully submerged.
  • Marginal (at the water’s edge): Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum) and Cryptocoryne species can be planted at the transition zone, with their roots in the water and leaves in the air.
  • Terrestrial/Epiphytic: Bromeliads, Neoregelia, Tillandsia (air plants), creeping fig, and various mosses (like Java Moss or Sphagnum Moss) are perfect for the land portion and background.

Benefits of Can You Put Fish in a Terrarium Terraria: More Than Just a Pretty Tank

Why go to all this trouble? The rewards of a successful paludarium are immense. The benefits of can you put fish in a terrarium terraria extend far beyond aesthetics.

  • A Unique Living Masterpiece: A well-designed paludarium is a one-of-a-kind piece of living art that is constantly growing and changing.
  • Educational Opportunity: It provides a fascinating look at a complete ecosystem, demonstrating the interaction between land, water, plants, and animals.
  • Natural and Relaxing: The sight and sound of trickling water combined with lush plant life is incredibly soothing and can be a major stress reliever.
  • Creative Freedom: You are the architect. You can recreate a slice of a rainforest, a mangrove swamp, or a fantasy landscape—the only limit is your imagination.

Navigating Common Problems with Can You Put Fish in a Terrarium Terraria Setups

Like any advanced hobby, building a paludarium comes with challenges. Being aware of the common problems with can you put fish in a terrarium terraria setups will help you prevent them.

  • Mold and Fungus: High humidity can lead to mold on the land portion. Ensure good air circulation (a small computer fan can help) and add a “clean-up crew” of springtails and isopods to your substrate. They are tiny invertebrates that eat mold and waste.
  • Water Quality Swings: The small water volume means that ammonia can build up very quickly. Do not overstock, do not overfeed, and perform regular small water changes (10-20% weekly).
  • Algae in the Water Section: This is usually caused by too much light or excess nutrients. Reduce your lighting period, ensure you aren’t overfeeding, and add aquatic plants to out-compete the algae.
  • Plant Health Issues: Terrestrial plants might rot if the substrate is too wet (a sign your false bottom isn’t working), while aquatic plants might melt if the transition to your tank’s parameters is too abrupt. Research the needs of each plant you choose.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Can You Put Fish in a Terrarium Terraria Best Practices

Creating a slice of nature comes with a responsibility to be mindful of our impact. Embracing sustainable can you put fish in a terrarium terraria practices makes the hobby even more rewarding.

Consider these eco-friendly can you put fish in a terrarium terraria tips:

  • Source Responsibly: Whenever possible, purchase captive-bred fish and sustainably harvested driftwood and botanicals. Avoid wild-caught animals unless you can verify they were collected ethically.
  • Go Bioactive: Incorporate a “clean-up crew” of springtails and isopods. This creates a self-cleaning soil layer, reducing maintenance and creating a more balanced, natural ecosystem.
  • Conserve Water: Use the water you remove during water changes to water your houseplants. It’s full of beneficial nitrates that plants love.
  • Use LED Lighting: LEDs are far more energy-efficient than older fluorescent or halogen bulbs, reducing your electricity consumption and carbon footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions About Putting Fish in a Terrarium

Can I put a Betta fish in my paludarium?

It’s possible, but can be tricky. Bettas need heated water (78-80°F) and are known jumpers. You would need a secure lid and ensure the water volume is large enough (at least 3-5 gallons) and properly filtered and heated. Their long fins can also be damaged by rough hardscape.

How deep does the water need to be for the fish?

This depends on the fish species. For the nano fish we recommended, a water depth of 4-6 inches is generally sufficient, as long as the total water volume is adequate (aim for at least 5 gallons of water). More volume means more stability.

Do I need a lid for my paludarium?

A lid is highly recommended. It helps maintain the high humidity that most terrestrial plants need, and it prevents your fish from jumping out. A glass lid or a custom-cut acrylic panel with ventilation holes works well.

How often do I need to do maintenance?

Plan on weekly maintenance. This includes a small water change, scraping any algae, trimming plants (both aquatic and terrestrial), and cleaning the glass. Daily tasks just involve feeding your fish and enjoying your creation!

Your Miniature World Awaits

So, the answer to “can you put fish in a terrarium terraria” is a resounding yes—as long as you build it as a paludarium. It’s a project that beautifully merges aquascaping and terrarium building into one incredible hobby.

It may seem like a lot of steps, but don’t be intimidated. Take it one stage at a time, from planning and building to planting and stocking. The journey of creating your own unique ecosystem is just as rewarding as the final result.

Now you have the knowledge and the roadmap. Go forth, get creative, and build the slice of nature you’ve been dreaming of. Happy building!

Howard Parker
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