The sea almond tree and its leaves have long been at home in aquaristics. In the aquarium, the use of the «Terminalia catappa“ especially for prevention and in the Fight against fish diseases.
What effect do those brown leaves have? Where do they originally come from and when is it suitable to use in your own tank? This article provides the answers.
The sea almond tree originally comes from Asia. But now the leaves and the tree can be found in tropical areas all over the world. Especially on the European continent, the healing leaves have been known and loved in aquaristics since the 90s. Why actually? How does adding some sea almond tree leaves affect the aquarium water and fish?
Where to buy sea almond leaves
Most aquariums buy sea almond leaves either directly from local retailers or online. Most well-stocked aquarium retailers have these on sale or can order them if required. These are available as natural leaves or as concentrates. Depending on the application, a concentrate is recommended for better dosing.
Effect of sea almond leaves
Roger Culos, Terminalia catappa MHNT.BOT.2007.27.25, CC BY-SA 3.0
The sea almond tree leaves, also known as the leaves of the so-called «beach almond», contain numerous ingredients that can have a positive effect on the water in the aquarium. These include, above all, humic acids, flavonoids, triterpinoids and tannins. All these active ingredients gradually dissolve in the water.
They intercept radicals (e.g. the dye quercetin) and act against harmful bacteria (e.g. flavonoids). As if that were not enough, they are beneficial for the cell regulation of fish and plants (e.g. through tannins) or to lower the pH value (e.g. humic acids).
Overall, sea almond leaves are ideal in the aquarium to ward off bacteria, germs, fungi and harmful radicals. As a result, they strengthen the immune system of fish and help to ensure a healthy quality of the fish water. Additionally, fish suffering from fin rot and inflammation recover faster. Your mucous membrane is better protected and the spawn is less affected by fungi. All these factors have a positive effect in the fight against diseases such as B. the spot disease in neon tetras, the so-called pop-eye disease, hole-in-hole disease or an infestation with gill worms.
Application of sea almond leaves
anonymous, Terminalia-catappa-Réunion, marked as public domain, details on Wikimedia Commons
To successfully apply the sea almond leaves are only little knowledge necessary. The use depends above all on the size of the aquarium and the respective fish stock. The basic rule for an ornamental fish tank is that 1 to 2 leaves per 50 liters fish water are optimal. That is, in an aquarium with a capacity of 250 liters, aquarists use about 5 leaves of the sea almond tree. These leaves remain in the tank for about 20 days (about 3 weeks). During this time, the active ingredients gradually dissolve in the aquarium water and develop their effect there.
If you have shrimp and catfish in your tank, provide these animals with additional food by giving them sea almond leaves. Since they like to eat the leaves, there is a chance that the leaves will be used up faster. Old leaves do not harm the water. Nevertheless, they should be replaced occasionally to maintain the effect. The storage of sea almond tree leaves succeeds in a dry place. This keeps the ingredients in the leaves bound before they get into the aquarium.
Conclusion
The leaves of the sea almond tree have spread from the tropics in Asia all over the world. Aquarists have long appreciated their healing effects. This is how the application develops uncomplicatedso that these valuable plants are also suitable for newcomers to aquaristics.