One of the secrets to raising them strong and healthy is to bathe your fish in tea made from Almond leaves from India.
The leaves, also known as Ketapang or wild almond leaves in some places, come from a tree known to produce a chemical that defends itself against insects and parasites. When the dried leaves fall into the water, a strong brown dye is released. The dye contains humic organic acids and tannins. Water that darkens to a yellowish-brown (tea-like color) after a few days is very similar to the natural habitat of Betta fish and they will love you for it.
Humics and tannins from Indian almond leaves lower the pH of the water, absorb harmful chemicals and help create a calming and relaxing environment for fish. I use the leaves to help settle my Betta fish when I first bring them home from the aquarium, which can be quite a traumatic journey for fish. Even bettas can get sea sick sometimes…you’ll know when their body turns pale and rests on the tank floor all the time.
The leaves can also be used to treat bacterial infections and help Bettas recover from injuries. Some people have used it to increase playback frequency. I first discovered the healing qualities of the leaves when one of my bettas wouldn’t eat for a few days after she brought him home. Then a friend recommended that I put a square inch of the leaves in the tank and let them soak overnight. The next day my Betta was sucking on the bloodworms like there was no tomorrow!
To use Indian almond leaves, I would recommend one palm-sized leaf per 10 gallons of water. Soak the leaf overnight in the water and you will see the water turn brown the next day. If you are helping your betta recover from illness, cut a small piece of the leaf and leave it in the tank for a week.
In most places, these sheets are not freely available. I have some trees growing outside my house. So if you need them desperately, please email me at [email protected] and if I’m not too busy I can send them to you, just pay the shipping cost.
For more information on keeping Betta fish, visit Betta Fish
