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Catappa Leaf

BlueBolts

By BlueBolts
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BlueBolts Shrimp Guru

BlueBolts

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Catappa Leaf

Terminalia catappa is a large tropical tree in the leadwood tree family, Combretaceae, that is native to the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia. It is known by the common names ketapang (Indonesian), Bengal almond, Singapore almond, ebelebo, Malabar almond, Indian almond, tropical almond, sea almond, beach almond, Talisay tree, umbrella tree, abrofo nkatie (Ghana), tavola (Fiji), castanhola (northeastern Brazil), zanmande (creole) and kotÅl (Marshallese).

Keeping the leaves in an aquarium may lower the pH and heavy metal content of the water. In the shrimp hobby it helps maintain tannins in the water similar to the natural environment for dwarf shrimp and also may inhibit bacterial infections in shrimp and fish. The shrimp will also graze on the leaf for micro organisms and also eat the leaf itself. When you go away for a week or so, it's more than enough food for the shrimp.

The catappa leaves are often sold in varying sizes, with small leave approx. 18-21cm, medium leaves approx. 21-25cm, and larger leaves at approx. 26cm-30cm.

Instructions

· Use 1 Small leaf per 10L of water, 1 Medium leaf per 15L of water, 1 Large leaf per 20L of water.

· Rinse leaf in hot water for a min (no more) and then place directly in your tank, it will sink over time.

· Leave in water permanently, it will eventually vanish as the shrimp eat it.

· Add a new one every so often making sure you always have some in the tank.

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northboy Shrimp Master

northboy

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Good write up BB, one thing you for got was, the nuts are good to eat and are a bit like Almonds, hence the name and they are very common around here.

Bob

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ineke Shrimp Guru

ineke

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Great write up BB does it stain the water? I've just used purigen to clear tannins out of a tank? Also is the umbrella tree we have here in Australia ok? I keep picking them up after they blow in from next door and throwing them out if they are the same whoopee I can get plenty

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Squiggle Shrimp Guru

Squiggle

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Awesome write up, as usual, BB! :victorious: Another thing which needs to be mentioned is that you can only use leaves that have fallen off the tree naturally, the sap left in green leaves is not good for aquarium use :encouragement:

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shrimpstan Shrimp Breeder

shrimpstan

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yeah i added some about a week ago maybe more but it finally got soft enough for them to pick at it and it looks like they enjoy it :)

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