Do you guys recommend Indian almond leaves?

[SushiRollsAquabuds]

I have considered getting my betta Angel, some Indian almond leaves.
-before I buy do you guys know what the benefits / use are they for ? Or just tell me some info on them . I’m really curious .

 

[Lcc86]

They can lower pH (not dramatically but a little). They provide nice floating cover when you first put them in which your betta should enjoy. As the leaf decays it releases infusoria which can be used as a source of nutrition. Overall I think they're a good addition to a tank, I only put in one at a time but they last ages, and add a natural look to the tank.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

They have antibacterial properties as well as antioxidants apparently which help with the general health and condition of the fish...bettas like a bit of tannins in their water and you'll notice as the water darkens, the colours of your betta will start to really pop. If you're worried about the leaf decaying in your water, you can break it up and steep it in a cup of water from your tank to make a tea. Then you can just pour the water back into your tank to the desired colour

 

[Slaphppy7]

I keep IALs in all of my tanks, and highly recommend them. The benefits are proven.

Indian Almond Leaves: Benefits For Your Aquarium

Indian almond leaves don’t sound like something you would use for an aquarium, but they can come in surprisingly handy. Click here to learn more!

www.aquariumsource.com

 

[Byron]

I agree with others, and the article linked in post #4 is very informative. Remember, this works with any safe deciduous tree leaves that are dead dry. I used oak leaves and maple leaves in some tanks. It was a challenge in the Black Ruby Barb tank, they ate them as fast as I could add them!

 

[Magnum Man]

Sorry for the sidetrack, but how about alder cones… I see them listed for aquariums… isn’t this kind of in the pine family, and I don’t think of pine as a good addition to the aquarium???

 

[AlexT]

I mostly have an almond leaf in my set up (about 70% of the time and then take it out, before putting a new one in). It's 180 litres and the almond leaves that I got from JBL are quite big. I love tannins and even I have to take the leaf out after about 5 or 6 days because I don't want to reduce the light intensity too much. Interestingly, my corydoras who usually want to try and eat anything, pretty much leave it alone, but my ancistrus (Bristlenose), they have a nice time on it! But it must lose it's taste after a few days, because they then leave it alone until I put a new one in.

 

[Byron]

Sorry for the sidetrack, but how about alder cones… I see them listed for aquariums… isn’t this kind of in the pine family, and I don’t think of pine as a good addition to the aquarium???

Conifer tree wood must be kept out of the aquarium. The sap is deadly toxic. Alder cones come from trees of the genus Alnus, in the birch family Betulaceae. This is a deciduous tree, not a conifer. They have an appearance of a pine cone, but they are not related at all.

 

[10 Tanks]

I have considered getting my betta Angel, some Indian almond leaves.
-before I buy do you guys know what the benefits / use are they for ? Or just tell me some info on them . I’m really curious .

Hello. I've heard the leaves are used to improve the water quality. But, the vast majority of public water supplies are fine for the vast majority of aquarium fish. So, why use them? The leaves will leach tannic acid into the water and that can change the pH of the water and turn it an amber color. Unless you're in the one or two percent who have tap water that's unsuitable for keeping fish, I'd say to leave them out. Your decision of course.

10 Tanks (Now 11)

 

[GaryE]

Many blackwater fish, including the wild Betta species they were first sold for, have limited experience of the kind of bacterial pathogens that are normal in harder water fishtanks, even well maintained ones.The bacterial community differs depending on water hardness. Aquarium bacteria don't generally thrive in very acid water, and those that do don't seem to cause as many diseases.

Almond leaves were a trick used by Asian wild type Betta breeders to make their water unsuitable for pathogens. That increased the lifespan of small forest Bettas and Parosphromenus. Now the leaves are sold as a cure all, which they aren't. If you like blackwater fish, they are very useful. otherwise, no.

Alder cones release tannins into the water. I keep blackwater fish, but find the cones relatively useless. I use oak leaves or rooibos tea instead.

It's a simple matter of if you want blackwater fish to have closer to natural conditions.