Almond Leaves

[clarkeymaster]

Can anyone tell me about Almond leaves and what uses and how i can use in my aquariums.

[HummingBird]

I just got this off an auction on Trademe:

"Almond leaves are widely used by Asian breeders of tropical fish to stimulate breeding and promote health and vitality in tropical fish. Other beneficial use of Indian almond leaves include:

* act as a tonic

* enhance fertility

* reduce water pH

* anti-fungal properties

* anti-bacterial properties

* promote vibrant colorations

* simulate black water conditions"

[Caryl]

Never heard of almond leaves being used for anything! Anyone else know more about them, or have used them?

[livebearer_breeder]

From what i have read, it appears to be more superstition than actual proof.

Shae

[Snowman]

I wouldn't believe someones blurb when they are trying to sell their product unless they can provide proof, i've seen these on Trade Me before and at most got a laugh, although i sometimes wonder if my fishies would like a tea or coffee??? LMAO :lol: :lol:

[willygog]

Well regardless of what some are saying here, I can tell you, superstition or not, the simple facts are it works. Most users in my opinion are betta breeders, they use it to buffer PH, inhibit bacteria/ and in general make there fish more relaxed,there is a substance in the leaves that is exuded . I am no scientist but I use it for all my betta and they sure seem to like it. I use conventional meds as well but almond leaves work well without the meds, and being a homeopathic type person prefer the leaves. I have had less fungus and sickness in my fish since I started to use it. Fish seem calmer as well, it does turn the water slightly brownish but I kind of like that as well, having had darkwater tanks as well. I might end this saying that before almond leaves where easy to get a lot of betta keepers used darkwater tonic for results that where close but not the same as leaves. The betta keepers in Thailand have used these leaves for a few hundred years and one must remember that many drugs we use today came from jungle plants thought to be witch doctor mumbo jumbo, If these leaves are superstition then I guess the darkwater folks have superstition tendicys as well. :roll:

[caserole]

There also used in the killifish hobby. (or thou not by me)

Many species particularly south american annuals have lost there sex gene.

The almond leaf extract is used to trigger a sex change in fry so you don't end up with all 1 sex.

Unless you have particular need to use it, peat has the same effect,

lower ph

simulates black water conditions

anti fungel and bacteria propertes

etc...

as HummingBird posted

[Alan]

If we take the previous post of willygog

and replace the words,almond leaf, with the word, peat.

Then that sounds exactly what happens with that here.

Doesn't it?

Alan 104

[Alan]

There are also some killies that need the estrogen of pregnant animals to trigger a sex change also.

Cause all the fish of that (those) specie hatch as one sex,

grow quicker cause they don't have to worry about s e x,

and put all their energy into growth.

There was a story about a certain person in NZ that - - -

But that's another story.

Alan 104

ps.

speak to NZKA #1 if ya want to know the end to that line.

Al

[vapo]

I found this http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Betta,%20Indian%20Almond%20Leaves.htm

They claim it works to harden scales, help ward off illness. Side-note: it also makes the betta more aggressive at breeding time and lowers pH. I wonder if it's good for all anabantoids?

Cheers,

Vapo.