Indian Almond/Catappa leaves....

[ChiefWalksInSlips]

I am expecting some grade A+ Indian Almond leaves here in the next few days and figured I would ask everyone for their opinion. Would you recommend or would you not recommend? What are the benefits and what are the downfalls of Indian Almond Leaves?

[madness]

Seem to work well, shrimp seem to love them (or at worst to just ignore them).

The only downside to good Indian Almond Leaves that I can think of are that they release tannins into the water so they will turn the tank tea colored.

Doesn't bother the shrimp one bit (and the tannins actually make the water closer to what most of our shrimp would expect in the wild) but tends to drive the shrimp keepers mad eventually.

You can do like driftwood and soak them or boil them a bit to get the vast majority of the tannins out beforehand. I atleast let them sit overnight though for the really rich ones that isn't enough to keep the water from going yellowish.

Just make sure you get the leaves from a source that you trust not to have exposed them to chemicals/pesticides and let them soak a bit before putting them in the tank and they should work out well.

[madness]

Also the better quality IAL probably have more tannins because that is sort of what betta keepers and other people who have traditionally used them wanted from them.

Even a dried out lower quality IAL will be nice for the shrimp - they develop bio-film and the shrimp pick at the leaves (and hide under them) until the leaves eventually disintegrate over a month or longer in my experience.

[Hwynette]

I am expecting some grade A+ Indian Almond leaves here in the next few days and figured I would ask everyone for their opinion. Would you recommend or would you not recommend? What are the benefits and what are the downfalls of Indian Almond Leaves?

ChiefWalkInSlips, Will you send me your email address because I can't find these leaves anywhere! How do I send you my email address; is it okay to put in in the forum here? Really anxious to find these! Thanks!!

[Hwynette]

Update: IAL are on their way... can't wait to get them and see how the shrimps like them!