Leaves in tank?

[Babakapusta]

Feeding Bichirs and Ropefish - YouTube

This is a beautiful video I watched about ornate birchirs and rope fish. I have a birchir. I've never seen a tank with what looks like tree leaves in it. Is that a good thing?

 

[Brad M]

Some people put indian almond leaves in tanks because it realeses tannins that lower the waters ph level.

 

[HN1]

Some people put indian almond leaves in tanks because it realeses tannins that lower the waters ph level.

Many types of leaves are used by hobbiests for those reasons. In addition to the tannic acid (generally pH lowering), they also release other natural compounds that fish can thrive in and are a place for infusoria to develop and grow (for very small fry this can be indispensable).

 

[Babakapusta]

So do you let them decompose in the tank or change them every week or so?

 

[HN1]

We remove them when they begin to breakdown. Longer than a week, but we don't let them fully decompose.

 

[Fresh2o]

Aside from Indian almond, are there tree leaves that are recommended and which ones should be avoided? Are these green or brown leaves? It that time of year when leaves start to fall and I was just curious.

 

[HN1]

Hardwood leaves are preferred, not green. I don't know all the types that can be used, but have used oak and almond. The important thing is to be sure that there's no chance of pesticides.

Here's a good article on the use of leaves in aquaria.
Leaves for Aquaria (Full Article) | Details | Articles | TFH Magazine®

 

[Fresh2o]

Hardwood leaves are preferred, not green. I don't know all the types that can be used, but have used oak and almond. The important thing is to be sure that there's no chance of pesticides.

Here's a good article on the use of leaves in aquaria.
Leaves for Aquaria (Full Article) | Details | Articles | TFH Magazine®

Good article. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Babakapusta]

Hardwood leaves are preferred, not green. I don't know all the types that can be used, but have used oak and almond. The important thing is to be sure that there's no chance of pesticides.

Here's a good article on the use of leaves in aquaria.
Leaves for Aquaria (Full Article) | Details | Articles | TFH Magazine®

Thank you for the article, it was very interestsing

 

[Rokuzachi]

Another reason to have leaves for certain fish

Brown hoplo building a bubble nest - YouTube

 

[Babakapusta]

That was awesome. It looked like a catfish. I didn't know they had bubble nests. I'm going to have to look this fish up.