{"product_id":"catappa-leaves","title":"Catappa Leaves","description":"\u003cp\u003eCatappa Leaves, also known as Indian Almond Leaves, come from \u003cem\u003eTerminalia catappa\u003c\/em\u003e, a coastal tree native from Madagascar through tropical Asia to the Pacific and northern Australia and planted throughout the tropics. Ours are collected in Indonesia, within the native range, and in Sri Lanka, where the tree is widely grown. The leaves are large and oval, about 20–30 cm (8–12 in) long, and cure to a warm amber-brown with a smooth upper surface and subtle veining. As they soften, they release tannins that tint the water golden to deep amber. They give fish shaded cover and form the base of a leaf-litter bed that small fish use for security and exploration. Over 3–6 weeks they break down, growing biofilm for shrimp and fry and becoming part of the tank's detritus layer. They're a dependable starting point for betta, shrimp, and blackwater tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHabitat Snapshot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong1\u003eTannin Character: \u003c\/strong1\u003eHigh · \u003cstrong1\u003eWater Tone: \u003c\/strong1\u003eDeep amber · \u003cstrong1\u003eHabitat Origin: \u003c\/strong1\u003eIndonesia (native); Sri Lanka (cultivated); native range: Madagascar, tropical Asia to Pacific · \u003cstrong1\u003eBreakdown: \u003c\/strong1\u003e3–6 weeks · \u003cstrong1\u003eBest For: \u003c\/strong1\u003eBettas · Tetras · Shrimp · Blackwater tanks · \u003cstrong1\u003ePreparation: \u003c\/strong1\u003eRinse + Boil · \u003cstrong1\u003eUse with Caution: \u003c\/strong1\u003eLowers pH in soft, low-KH, or RO water; not for hard-water species such as African rift lake cichlids or Sulawesi shrimp · \u003cstrong1\u003eQuantity: \u003c\/strong1\u003e12 or 25 pcs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh tannins for amber to deep tea-colored water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBroad leaves give shaded cover and resting spots for shy fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilds biofilm for shrimp and fry to graze\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasy starting botanical for most soft-water tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse before use. Boil for at least 25 minutes, then let the leaves cool. Use whole leaves in larger tanks, or tear them into pieces for nano aquariums. Start with 1–2 leaves per 10 gal (38 L) and add more for deeper color. Let them break down in place, and replace them once they're mostly gone, usually every 3–6 weeks. \u003cem\u003ePairing:\u003c\/em\u003e Add Catappa Bark for a tint that holds steady between leaf changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBest For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eBettas, shrimp (\u003cem\u003eNeocaridina\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCaridina\u003c\/em\u003e), nano fish, fry, dwarf cichlids, tetras, rasboras, corydoras, and blackwater, botanical, and biotope-inspired soft-water tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"product-notice\"\u003eNot for human consumption. Preparation required. Because this is a natural product, size, shape, color, and texture will vary from piece to piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLet the botanical become part of the system. The value is in the slow breakdown, biofilm, tannin character, habitat texture, and natural behavior it encourages. This is where sunken forests come to life.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blackwater Scapes","offers":[{"title":"12 pcs","offer_id":51979773411624,"sku":"BWS-LF-04","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25 pcs","offer_id":51979775017256,"sku":"BWS-LF-04b","price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0990\/1729\/4120\/files\/ChatGPTImageJun13_2026_07_24_39PM_7.png?v=1781399885","url":"https:\/\/blackwaterscapes.com\/products\/catappa-leaves","provider":"Blackwater Scapes","version":"1.0","type":"link"}