20 Dried Catappa Indian Almond Leaves for Fish, Shrimp Aquariums Premium Quality

Description

Benefits of Indian Almond Leaves in Aquarium (Natural Miracle)
Indian almond leaves, also known as Cattappa leaves, come from a tree primarily found in Asia, Africa, and Australia. The tree itself is referred to by several names, the most common of which is the Indian Almond Tree.
While the name may suggest that this tree grows almonds, or a similar nut, the tree actually produces fruit. The name comes from the fact that many state that the fruit tastes like almonds, especially somewhat bitter ones.
The fruit, just like the leaves, are somewhat acidic. This acid is actually extremely useful in your aquariums, if you know what you’re doing.
Indian Almond Leaves help the immune system of fish, prevent disease, and lessen stress.
1. Antifungal and Antibacterial Properties
These are probably the most notable and useful properties that these leaves have, though they are not the only beneficial properties.
These leaves have both
antibacterial and antifungal properties for fish
and are able to treat a wide variety of low-grade infections.
2.
Naturally Reduces PH Levels in Water
While frequently messing with your pH is not recommended, there are safe ways to lower or raise your pH level. However, you should not attempt to do this without a basic chemical understanding of pH and how it can affect your tank’s inhabitants.
There are many commercial products that claim to raise or
lower your pH in your aquarium
, and for the most part, they do. However, they only work temporarily, from anywhere as short as a few hours to a few days. They normally contain some mild acid or base, which will change the pH, but it quickly wears off once the minerals causing your tank’s pH take effect again.
To lower the pH of your water, you will need something that will slowly soften the water and bring the pH down. Indian Almond leaves are perfect at doing this, and they also help the immune system of your fish, something that a commercial product cannot do.
3.
Contain Beneficial Tannic Acid and Tannins
Over time, anything natural added to your tank will begin to dissolve and degrade. It is the dissolving of seashells that raise the calcium levels and pH of water, and it is the dissolving of Indian Almond leaves and release of tannic acid that lowers the pH level. But what is tannic acid?
Tannic acid, a type of tannin (and normally referred to simply as “tannins” in reference to aquariums) is a weak acid with medicinal properties that can help both fish and humans. Indian Almond leaves also have medicinal properties aside from just the tannic acid.
4. Helps Induce Breeding/Spawning
Some fish are well known for being difficult to breed, such as wild bettas, scarlet badis, diamond tetras, and many more. These fish are soft water and/or blackwater fish, and their natural environments are nearly impossible to replicate in captivity.
For example, some of the more difficult ones can only breed in water that has a pH of 3 or so, or else the eggs will not survive. The average aquarium has a pH between 6.5 and 8, which makes this quite a challenge.
Indian Almond leaves can lower the water to around a pH of 5, if the water was soft with little to no carbonate hardness. If the water is moderately hard, it will likely only bring the pH down to around 6. No matter the hardness, Indian Almond leave have an excessive amount of tannins, so your water will be dyed a dark brown quickly. These conditions will help induce spawning in finicky species.
5. Protection for Fry & Small Species
Just as the dark water can make the parents feel safer, it can also help save the fry. Many species of fish that are difficult to breed in captivity also have an unfortunate habit of eating their own young. While this is not as common in the wild, it still happens occasionally.
When the adults are afraid that there is a predator nearby that will kill/eat the young, they will eat the eggs or fry instead so that they can regain the energy and try again. However, instead of a predator being a threat, they may view normal vibrations from a washing machine or footsteps several rooms away as a threat. This cannot always be prevented, but blackwater helps the young hide from the adults more successfully.
6.
Creates Blackwater Aquariums
Indian Almond leaves are very effective at creating a blackwater environment. While you can also accomplish this with driftwood or other substances, Indian Almond leaves have the greatest benefits and fewer complications than driftwood does.
Unlike driftwood, Indian Almond leaves do not grow fungus, though they do decay. After a few weeks, only the leaf skeleton will be left behind, though fungus is not present during the decomposition process. The “skeleton” can either be removed or kept in for another week or so, at which point it will completely disintegrate.
7.
Great Source of Food for Shrimp
When an Indian Almond leaf starts to decompose, even after just one or two days, shrimp will migrate to the leaf and spend most of their time picking at it. These leaves seem to be one of their favorite foods, and they flock to them like nothing else. Even as the leaf starts to degrade to nearly nothing, they will continue eating whatever is left down to the last morsel. These leaves are also beneficial to them, and many keepers have reported higher breeding and shrimplet (baby shrimp) survival rates when they use these leaves.
8.
Blackout Stress Reduction
“Blackouts” in a tank normally refer to turning off the light for several days to get rid of pesky algae. However, a blackwater tank can create its own blackout effect. High levels of tannins in the water will make it appear somewhat murky, and light will not penetrate it as easily.
While this will prevent you from growing anything above low light/low-tech plants, this opens up a whole new world for your fish. Many blackwater species will be extremely stressed in clear water, often to the point of dying.
Dosage
All Aquariums – 2 leaves per 20 liters of water
Betta Fish Breeding – 3 leaves per 15 liters of water
Fry/Baby Fish Rearing – 2 leaves per 40 liters of water
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