Shop - Aquarium Botanicals – Catappa Leaves x10

Description

Catappa Leaves are oval leaves between 10 and 25cm. These beautiful leaves have been cleaned and dried, making them ready for aquarium or vivarium use.

Catappa leaves come from the Terminalia catappa tree which is native to Asia, Australia, Madagascar and Seychelles.  This makes these leaves ideal for creating natural biotopes from these regions, but can also be used to replicate natural aquatic and terrestrial environments from all around the world.

The Catappa leaf is a beautiful and unique botanical that not only provide an aesthetic appeal to your aquarium but also serve a functional purpose by releasing tannins, which can lower the PH level of your water, making it an ideal environment for certain species of fish such as tetras, discus, Betta and angelfish. The tannins also help simulate the natural habitat of these fish, promoting their growth and health.

Measuring approximately 10- 25cm in length, these botanicals are ideal for larger aquariums but can also be added to small tanks as a high impact piece to add complexity to the aquarium environment. Being a natural product, shape, size and colour can vary. They can also be broken down into smaller pieces.

The Catappa Leaves will slowly decompose in the aquarium, providing an ideal grazing surface for freshwater shrimp. They do not contain any harmful substances, making them safe for fish and shrimp. They can also be used as a natural grazing spot for fish, snails and other invertebrates, providing them with a source of nutrition and habitat enrichment.

These unique botanicals can be used in a variety of ways to enhance the beauty of your aquarium. Catappa Leaves can be placed on their own or combined with other botanicals and driftwood to create intricate and stunning designs that resemble true wild habitats. Their Earthy brown colour and classic leaf shape provides a natural look that is difficult to replicate with other aquarium decorations.

When it comes to care and maintenance, these leaves require very little attention. Simply rinse them with water before placing them in your aquarium. To get the leaves to sink boil for a few minutes. The tannin “Tea” can then be left to cool before being added to the aquarium along with the botanical. As they start to break down, they can be removed or replaced with new pieces to maintain the aesthetic appeal of your aquarium. Botanicals are an excellent addition to any black water or biotope setup. They are not only visually appealing but also provide a functional purpose, contributing to the overall health and well-being of your fish and shrimp.

Sold as a pack of 10 leaves.

These botanicals are ethically and sustainably sourced from Sri Lanka.

For some extra help, take a look at our Guide To Blackwater Aquariums

For more information please see our guides section.

For inspiration check out our Instagram feed.

Additional information