almond leafs or almond extract

i would love to hear your thoughts on what one you like to use or if you use them at all and why?

You don't mean almond extract as in food flavouring?! I hope you mean the pre-mixed IAL stuff you can buy in shops, lol

I like the leaves

silverrabbit wrote:You don't mean almond extract as in food flavouring?! I hope you mean the pre-mixed IAL stuff you can buy in shops, lol

I like the leaves

yes i mean the pre mix lol sorry do you use it all your bettas all the time?

I use the leaves too. You can just tear off a piece and float it in the tank so it infuses gradually, the fish also like to nest or hide underneath it. It's a natural stress reliever and tonic, as betta species in the wild would live in naturally 'black' water from the leaves.

I usually have a piece knocking about in the tank, you don't have to have it in there permanently but it's nice for the fish. I also use a fresh piece whenever I perform a disease treatment to help with stress and bacteria.

You can just remove the leaves once they start to break up and deteriorate, which shouldn't be for a week or so. Or you can use IAL teabags which are brewed and allowed to cool, then you just add the infused water.

I have a piece of IAL in each section of my divided tanks, and also a whole one in my sorority (though my BN plecs seems to eat that). I change the leaf bits when they get a bit slimey. If I need something more concentrated, i boil up 2 leaves in a couple of litres of water and add it to the tanks in need (ie quarantine, sick bettas, recently travelled/spawned, damaged fins).

I like the colour it turns the water too

I just add a leaf in a closed container(like tupperware) and let it leach until the water is the colour of tea. Then I just pour a tad in when I do larger water changes.

Just don't let the leaves mold in the water if you do it this way though. When its warm outdoors I stick it outside to brew! Like the old sun tea my Mom
used to make!

Do you just get the leaves at the pet shop? I've never heard of almond leaves used like this -- I'm interested. What does "IAL" stand for?

IAL just stands for Indian Almond Leaves.

I prefer the leaves too. They do the job, plus I like the fact that the boys make bubble nests under them.

If you're like me and don't have any in your pet stores (my pet stores never even heard of them) then you can get some off aquabid or E-bay for decently cheap.

There is an excellent seller of IAL/Catappa/Ketapang leaves on ebay - have a lookie at this item number: 380045131149. Amy's leaves are always great