Sappanwood Pods

Sappanwood Pods are the dried seed pods of Biancaea sappan (formerly Caesalpinia sappan), the tree whose red heartwood has been used as a natural dye for centuries. The species is native from the Himalayan foothills to Indochina and has long been cultivated across Indonesia, where it's called secang. Ours are imported from there. The pods are flat, woody, and obliquely oblong, about 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, with a short hooked tip that gives each piece a slight scoop. In the aquarium they lie flat on the substrate and release medium tannins with a warm amber-to-reddish tint. They last 1–3 months and build biofilm along their surfaces for shrimp and small fish to forage. They add a distinctive shape and tone to Southeast Asian and mixed botanical builds.

Habitat Snapshot

Tannin Character: Medium · Water Tone: Warm amber with a reddish tint · Habitat Origin: Imported from Indonesia (cultivated; native range: Himalaya to Indochina) · Breakdown: 1–3 months · Best For: Shrimp · Nano · Biofilm surfaces · Pod detail · Preparation: Rinse + Boil · Use with Caution: Can lower pH in soft, low-KH, or RO water · Quantity: 12 pcs

Key Benefits

• Warm amber tannins with a reddish tint
• Flat, hooked pods add distinctive detail to the substrate
• Lasts 1–3 months with steady biofilm growth
• Compact size suits nano tanks and shrimp colonies

How to Use

Rinse, then boil for at least 25 minutes to release initial tannins and help the pods sink. Let them cool in the water before adding them to the aquarium. Scatter across the substrate or tuck between leaves and larger pods, using 4–6 pods per 10 gal (38 L). Replace as they soften, usually after 1–3 months. Pairing: Scatter over a Mango Leaves base layer for contrast in shape and tone.

Best For

Shrimp colonies, nano aquariums, wild betta tanks, and Southeast Asian or mixed botanical builds where small sculptural pods add detail to the substrate.

Not for human consumption. Preparation required. Because this is a natural product, size, shape, color, and texture will vary from piece to piece.

Let 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.