Sterculia Pods

Sterculia Pods (Sterculia spp.), often called Jungle Pods, are single follicles from the star-shaped fruit of Sterculia trees. The genus grows throughout the tropics, and several species, including S. foetida (kepoh in Indonesia), are native to Indonesia, where ours are imported from. Each pod is a dark brown, boat-shaped shell, woody and textured outside and smooth inside. The open hollow gives wild bettas, corydoras, dwarf cichlids, and shrimp a sheltered spot to claim as territory, and cave spawners sometimes use it for eggs. The dense shell needs a thorough boil and soak to sink. After that it lasts for months, releasing low-to-medium tannins and building biofilm on its textured surface. For Apistogramma , Betta and other South American species, it works as a stand-in rather than a native element.

Habitat Snapshot

Tannin Character: Low–Medium · Water Tone: Light to moderate amber · Habitat Origin: Imported from Indonesia (genus pantropical; several species native to Indonesia) · Breakdown: +6 months · Best For: Shelter · Cave spawners · Bettas · Shrimp · Preparation: Rinse + Boil + Soak · Use with Caution: May float until fully waterlogged, and a second boil may be needed; can lower pH slightly in soft or RO water · Quantity: 1 or 4 pcs

Key Benefits

• Boat-shaped pod with an open hollow for shelter and territory
• Used as a spawning site by some cave-spawning fish
• Dense, woody shell lasts for months
• Textured surface builds biofilm for shrimp and grazers

How to Use

Rinse thoroughly. Boil for at least 30 minutes, then soak in cool water overnight to help it sink. The dense shell needs full saturation, so a stubborn pod may need a second boil. Set the pod with its open side facing outward so fish can get in. Use 1 or 2 pods per 10–20 gal (38–76 L) as a focal piece. Pairing: Surround with Catappa Leaves to blend the pod into a litter bed.

Best For

Wild bettas, corydoras, dwarf cichlids including Apistogramma, shrimp, and breeding or display tanks where one pod serves as a focal point and functional shelter.

Not for human consumption. Preparation required. Because this is a natural product, size, shape, color, and texture will vary from piece to piece.

Let the botanical become part of the system. The value is in the slow breakdown, biofilm, tannin character, habitat texture, and natural behavior it encourages. This is where sunken forests come to life.