More on using leaves in the freshwater aquarium

[Byron]

I posted the link to an article about collecting leaves on November 6
http://www.fishforums.net/threads/collecting-leaves-for-aquascaping-and-fish-fry-food.443069/unread

and now have come across another article on the subject. This one has some information on specific tree leaves and data for how these may affect the pH.

https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co...W&email_hash=9357f00ddcdf3a297acf594914ed58b5

 

[BettaBettas]

Interesting, thank you for posting this.

 

[nic1]

I read that article not too long ago...very interesting.
Ive been using dried mulberry, almond leaves and guava leaves in my tanks although I buy these as where I live is really close to the motorway in the city.

 

[julielynn47]

I put a leaf in my tank some time ago and the fish do not have anything to do with it. Is it just for the water? Or are fish supposed to nibble at it?

My daughter says my fish are so spoiled they don't want dead leaves to munch on. LOL

 

[AbbeysDad]

I was surprised to see walnut leaves in the list. Black Walnut produces juglone in roots, leaves, buds and nut hulls that is toxic to other plants. Perhaps a few leaves in aquarium water just reduces the toxicity enough so it's not an issue other than the therapeutic value?

 

[Byron]

I put a leaf in my tank some time ago and the fish do not have anything to do with it. Is it just for the water? Or are fish supposed to nibble at it?

My daughter says my fish are so spoiled they don't want dead leaves to munch on. LOL

Many, probably most, fish will not eat leaves. Fry right from hatching will graze the leaves for infusoria, which is the best first food for fish. And grazing fish like otos, pleco, etc will graze the surfaces. But most mature fish will likely not eat the leaves, though they might nibble the biofilm; mollies and other vegetarian fish likely would. The leaves do benefit the water, particularly for soft water fish species; and they are a very natural substrate cover for many tropical regions.

Having said that, I cannot keep leaves in my 33g tank with a shoal of Black Ruby Barbs. I set this tank up as an authentic biotope for this species, replicating their natural habitat which is the Kelani and Nilwala River systems on Sri Lanka; sand substrates covered by a layer of leaf litter and wood branches and roots, with dangling roots from overhanging vegetation (I use floating Water Sprite for this). For some reason the barbs love the leaves, and any added are gone within two days. But none of the fish in my other tanks to which I add a few leaves eat them, the leaves decompose naturally over several weeks.

Byron.