{"product_id":"sterculia-pods","title":"Sterculia Pods","description":"\u003cp\u003eSterculia Pods (\u003cem\u003eSterculia\u003c\/em\u003e spp.), often called Jungle Pods, are single follicles from the star-shaped fruit of \u003cem\u003eSterculia\u003c\/em\u003e trees. The genus grows throughout the tropics, and several species, including \u003cem\u003eS. foetida\u003c\/em\u003e (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 \u003cem\u003eApistogramma\u003c\/em\u003e , \u003cem\u003eBetta\u003c\/em\u003e and other South American species, it works as a stand-in rather than a native element.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHabitat Snapshot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong1\u003eTannin Character: \u003c\/strong1\u003eLow–Medium · \u003cstrong1\u003eWater Tone: \u003c\/strong1\u003eLight to moderate amber · \u003cstrong1\u003eHabitat Origin: \u003c\/strong1\u003eImported from Indonesia (genus pantropical; several species native to Indonesia) · \u003cstrong1\u003eBreakdown: \u003c\/strong1\u003e+6 months · \u003cstrong1\u003eBest For: \u003c\/strong1\u003eShelter · Cave spawners · Bettas · Shrimp · \u003cstrong1\u003ePreparation: \u003c\/strong1\u003eRinse + Boil + Soak · \u003cstrong1\u003eUse with Caution: \u003c\/strong1\u003eMay float until fully waterlogged, and a second boil may be needed; can lower pH slightly in soft or RO water · \u003cstrong1\u003eQuantity: \u003c\/strong1\u003e1 or 4 pcs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoat-shaped pod with an open hollow for shelter and territory\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsed as a spawning site by some cave-spawning fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDense, woody shell lasts for months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTextured surface builds biofilm for shrimp and grazers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse 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. \u003cem\u003ePairing:\u003c\/em\u003e Surround with Catappa Leaves to blend the pod into a litter bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBest For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eWild bettas, corydoras, dwarf cichlids including \u003cem\u003eApistogramma\u003c\/em\u003e, shrimp, and breeding or display tanks where one pod serves as a focal point and functional shelter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"product-notice\"\u003eNot for human consumption. Preparation required. Because this is a natural product, size, shape, color, and texture will vary from piece to piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLet 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.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blackwater Scapes","offers":[{"title":"1 Sterculia Pod","offer_id":51979776065832,"sku":"BWS-PD-09","price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 Sterculia Pods","offer_id":51979776098600,"sku":"BWS-PD-09b","price":22.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0990\/1729\/4120\/files\/ChatGPTImageJun16_2026_10_02_22PM_8.png?v=1781663324","url":"https:\/\/blackwaterscapes.com\/products\/sterculia-pods","provider":"Blackwater Scapes","version":"1.0","type":"link"}