See, these are the benefits of Ketapang leaves for betta fish
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – In addition to regularly cleaning the water in the aquarium and providing high nutritious food, putting ketapang leaves on the betta fish’s aqua can provide health benefits for Betta fish.
Reporting from Betta Source, Saturday (12/19/2020), Indian almond leaves or commonly known as ketapang leaves, are used worldwide by those who care for Betta fish.
These leaves are claimed to be a homeopathic remedy for various diseases and conditions that betta fish have.
Also read: Acquaintance with black betta fish, no less beautiful
These leaves are very popular in Southeast Asia and India, and it started when they fell naturally in the waters with fish.
It turns out that fish affected by ketapang leaves are more resistant to disease, have stronger and healthier fins and scales.
Anti Bacteria and Fungus
By placing ketapang leaves in the betta fish aquarium can lower the pH of the aquarium water so that it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects.
Not only that, ketapang leaves can also provide a source of food for fish, when the leaves decompose, they are often covered with biofilms that can become food for bettas.
Also read: 4 Benefits of Dividing a Betta Fish Container
Fish that come from rivers, such as bettas, will feel like they are in their habitat, because these ketapang leaves help make tap water like water in their habitat.
Ketapang leaves contain tannin acid which can be a medicine for fish and even humans. When the ketapang leaves are immersed in the aquarium, the water will turn brown because when the ketapang leaves rot, they release the tannins.
While this may seem very worrying, it is completely harmless to fish, and is usually very beneficial.
Tannins also boost the immune system and reduce stress. However, for those of you who prefer to see clean water, just add some activated carbon to the filter.
Illustration of betta fish, halfmoon betta fish. This will reduce some of the properties but will remove the tannins.
Assist with reproduction
Some fish are known to be difficult to breed, such as wild bettas, red swamps, diamond tetras, and many more.
These fish are either softwater or blackwater fish, and their natural environment is almost impossible to replicate in captivity.
Some fish find it difficult to breed in water that has a pH of 3 or more or the eggs will not survive. Whereas the average aquarium has a pH between 6.5 and 8.
Also read: Fin Rot Disease in Betta Fish, Causes and Symptoms
Some fish will never feel comfortable unless they have very dark water, because they feel open and open to predators. And this will affect their breeding process.
By using ketapang leaves, it can lower the pH of the water to about 5 pH and make the water darker and this condition can help fish to reproduce.
