Terminalia CATAPPA (Terminalia, Indian almond) - Decorative foliage - Online store - Adenium at home: from seeds to plants. Cultivation and care

In professional biotope aquariums, which recreate in their design a certain natural habitat of a particular fish species, natural decor elements (snags, live plants, branches and fallen leaves of trees, etc.) are widely used, while in ordinary amateur Aquariums often use their artificial layouts for ease of maintenance. However, lovers should also pay attention to one natural design element, we are talking about the dried leaves and bark of the Indian almond tree (lat. Terminalia catappa), also found under the name Tantora Catappa.

Thus, the use of leaves, bark or split twigs of Indian almonds in an aquarium will not only give a natural appearance and will color the water in a characteristic tea (dark) shade, but it will also have a beneficial effect on the well-being of your fish, first of all, this applies to species from Southeast Asia - almost all labyrinths and many cyprinids.
An additional argument for the benefits of Indian almonds is the fact that breeders from Asia, when exporting very delicate types of fish to the markets of Europe and America, add the leaves of this tree to containers with water, thanks to which they were able to drastically reduce mortality during transportation.

Where to buy

Leaves, bark or pieces of twigs can be purchased online, there are more than enough offers, for example, on Ebay or the same Avito. Prices are quite affordable and comparable to the cost of packaged fish food. In turn, finding Indian almonds in pet stores is much more difficult; at the time of writing, it was supplied only to large cities.

Application

The leaves are placed at the bottom of the aquarium, but since they are dried, they can float on the surface at first until they are saturated and drown. Within 7–10 days, the water will begin to turn into Brown color and saturate with useful substances, which are mentioned above. The effect lasts about two weeks, depending on the temperature, then they should be replaced with a new batch. If shrimp are kept along with the fish, then nothing needs to be removed, the remains of the leaves will be an excellent food for these crustaceans. For a tank of 40-50 liters, 2-3 sheets are enough.

Bark or twigs have the same properties, but are considered more preferable, since the content of tannins in them is higher than in the leaves, and they require less frequent replacement - about once a month. A twig or bark is fixed at the bottom with a load or pressed down with a design element (stone, driftwood). In some publications, you can find a recommendation to pre-boil them for 5 minutes for prevention purposes, but in practice the only thing that can be achieved is to destroy the beneficial substances.

With such an active interest of aquarists in Indian almonds, some manufacturers have begun to produce essence based on pomace from the leaves of this tree, which also deserves attention. For example, just a few drops of essence are comparable in their properties to a handful of leaves, while the effect is achieved much faster.

Dosage

For a tank of 40-50 liters, the optimal number of leaves is 2-3. For twigs or bark, you need to look at the instructions, since manufacturers initially cut them to a certain size for a specific volume of the aquarium, usually one piece per 120 liters.

It is worth remembering that the correct dosage is very important, if you overdo it and add too many leaves, bark or twigs of Indian almonds to the aquarium, you can provoke sharp changes in pH and dGH, which will negatively affect the health of the fish.

Indian almond. Terminalia catappa L.
Family: Combretaceae Combretaceae
Titles: Umbrella tree, Indian almond, Sea almond, Singapore almond, Tropical almond
Synonyms: Badamia commersonii, Catappa, Juglans catappa, Myrobalanus catappa, T. intermedia, T. latifolia, T. moluccana, T. myrobalana, T. ovatifolia, T. paraensis, T. procera, T. rubrigemmis, T. subcordata
Origin: Australia, Southeast Asia

A deciduous tree growing up to 25 meters tall, with a characteristic, horizontally spreading crown reaching 25 meters wide. The leaves are large, obovate, hard, dark green. During the dry season they turn copper red, brown and then fall off. As the wet season begins, new, green leaves appear.The flowers are small, greenish-white, with an unpleasant odor, collected in elongated spike-shaped inflorescences. The fruits are almond-shaped, first green, then brown. The fruit of the catappa terminalia is edible and tastes like almonds.

A distinctive feature of this species is the ability to acquire a bright red color of the leaves. This is a rarity in the tropics where most trees are evergreen throughout the year. The bark, fruit, and leaves of the tree are traditionally used to treat various diseases: skin ailments, dysentery, headache, colic in children. Also, studies have identified the properties of Catappa, which can be used to treat arterial hypertension. In the leaves of Indian almonds, lies the "secret recipe" of the composition of "Black Water". Specially prepared water solution Catappa creates an environment similar to the natural environment and provokes spawning in fish for which this environment is natural.

It has been observed that fish living in ponds around which Indian almond trees grew have a brighter color and are distinguished by beauty and health. Thus began attempts to achieve the same conditions using dried leaves of Indian almonds in aquariums. When dry leaves fall into the water, it is strongly stained brown. Humic acids and tannins give coloring properties to the sheet. The dried leaves of Indian almonds contain a lot of organic acids, which lower the pH of the water, absorb harmful chemical substances and help create a calming environment for the fish. What are humic acids? It is a mixture of several organic acids. They contain sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus in various quantities, as well as metals: Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, etc.
Humic acids are the end product of the decay of plants and animals, and one of the most important components of soil fertility. They give the water all shades of yellow. Tannins and humic acids can be inhibitors of many types of bacteria, including cyanobacteria. (An inhibitor is a substance that slows down the course of any process or reaction in the body. Author's note)
Another paradoxical effect of humic acids is the ability to detoxify heavy metals. When in an aquarium, materials containing humic acids quickly absorb many chemicals, including zinc, aluminum and copper.
It is also important to know that the effectiveness of humic acids depends on the hardness of the water. The higher the hardness of the water, the greater the supply of humate must be in order to achieve an acidifying effect. The softer the water, the more effective the effect of humic acids. In some countries, instead of Catappa, peat is used, which includes bark, wood and leaves containing essential trace elements, vitamins, hormones and humic acids to enrich aquarium water. It creates natural environment, same as in lakes rainforest, and stimulates spawning in fish that love soft and acidified water. But excessive use of "Black Water" or an aqueous extract of Indian almond leaves, can lead to a strong decrease in pH.
Whether or not to use Catappa leaves in your practice is your personal preference. And we tried to tell you about this amazing plant as interesting as possible.
This is how they are sold in shops.:

" black water effect", Chris Yew (translation)

Indian almond leaves Terminalia catappa leaves for a long time were a secret that only South Asian breeders knew. However, experts have long noticed that the fish that lived next to the Indian almond trees (naturally, the leaves of this tree fell directly into the water) were much healthier and with brighter colors than other fish. So it was decided to experiment with adding almond leaves to the aquarium in order to bring the living conditions of fish as close as possible to natural ones. The experiment turned out to be successful, which marked the beginning of the massive use of Indian almond leaves in the aquarium hobby. Their addition to the aquarium has really helped the fish become healthier and significantly improve their breeding rates.

Chemical properties Indian almond leaves

Dried Indian almond leaves produce a "black extract" that gradually turns the water to a tea-like brown color, lowers the pH and releases the following organic compounds:

• humic acids,
• flavonoids (quercetin and camperol),
• tannins (punicalcalgin), absorbing harmful chemicals.

Tannins are phenolic compounds with a high molecular weight containing a sufficient amount of hydroxyls and carboxyls to form effective protein complexes and other macromolecules in natural conditions. Humic acids are a complex mixture of partially decomposed and other transformed particles of organic origin. Freshwater humic acids can come from a variety of sources, most of which are terrestrial (formed from decayed ground vegetation). These substances are taken up by lakes and rivers, undergo further transformation, and eventually dissolve into the ocean.

Humic acid contains in its composition sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen in different proportions. It also contains metals such as: Mg, Zn, Cu, Ca, Zn and others. These metals are naturally chelated, which means they are easily absorbed by the inhabitants of the aquarium. Humic acid can belong to two different groups, depending on the size of its individual compounds. The smaller, that is, the more polar humic fraction, is called fulvic acid. It should be noted that humic acids are the end product of microbial decomposition of plant and animal residues, being one of the most important components of fertile soils.

Tannins, lingins and fulvic acids are subclasses of humic acids. They all color the water in yellow. Tannic and humic acids can be useful in inhibiting many types of bacteria, including cyanobacteria, and they also have a beneficial effect on aquarium fish OK. Another paradoxical effect of the use of humic acids is the detoxification of heavy metals. In addition, humic material and detritus, when introduced into the aquarium, quickly absorb and detoxify many chemicals, including zinc, aluminum and copper!

It is also necessary to know that with a high indicator of water hardness, more humates must be added to it. Conversely, at a low concentration of lime, humates are required less. AT soft water with a low percentage of humates, fish and other inhabitants of the aquarium feel as natural as possible. Such a balance of substances in aquarium water contributes to the activation of spawning in fish.

Indian almond tree

The scientific name of this tree is Terminalia catappa. In everyday life, this tree is called as follows: Almond, Ketapang, Hu Kwang, etc. Belongs to the Comb family. Tropical almond trees are large deciduous trees, which are used as ornamental vegetation in many cities of the tropical zone. They come from India and reach a height of 90 feet. The leaves are large, obovate, reach a length of 15-25 cm, a width of 10-14 cm, and the length of the petioles is 5-15 mm. The leaf plate is shiny, dark green in color, covered with hairs from below. Leaf fall occurs during the dry season. The leaves turn reddish or yellow-brown before falling due to the pigment they contain.

The flowers of the almond tree are small in size, white-green, unisexual, do not have petals, form brushes in the leaf axils. The shape of the fruit is a flattened drupe of an ovoid or oval type, growing up to 7 cm in length and up to 5.5 cm in width. At first, the leaves are green color, and in the course of ripening become red or pink. The almond pericarp is fleshy-fibrous, sour in taste, and the stone is hard and enclosed in a tree-like shell.

The almond tree grows in hot climates and requires moist and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant but frost tolerant. It is possible to grow a tropical almond tree in a container that will allow you to control its size for many years.

Medicinal uses of almonds

Leaves, bark and fruits of the almond tree are actively used in traditional medicine. In Indonesia, they treat asthma, stop bleeding, heal teeth, and eliminate nausea during travel. In Mexico, almonds are used to treat headaches, rheumatism, and scabies. In India, the almond tree is used to treat dysentery. In the Philippines, almonds are used to treat eye problems, coughs, diarrhea and rheumatism.

Almond leaves treat bacterial infections in fish and also promote faster healing of wounds on their body. it natural remedy is a good alternative to commercial drugs, but certainly not a panacea. It is best to use almond leaves as a preventive measure. If you want to use almond leaves as medicinal product for your fish, you should put them in the aquarium for 2 weeks, exclude direct sun rays, keep the water temperature at 26 °C. Then you will definitely achieve positive results.

Reproduction of aquarium fish

South Asian breeders use almond leaves to improve the reproduction of their aquarium fish. Adding almond leaves to the aquarium not only activates spawning, but also makes fish fry healthier and more resistant to diseases. The leaves in the aquarium should be replaced every 2-3 weeks - until the fry are 3-4 months old. Male fish like to build nests under the floating almond leaves, while females find shelter under the almond leaves that settle to the bottom. From almond leaves, the water eventually acquires a brownish tint, that is, it becomes like the water of tropical rivers.

The nuances of using Indian almonds in an aquarium

Added to the aquarium, Indian almond leaves will saturate the water with tannins, humic acids and tannins for 2 weeks, which, as we have already said, will create favorable, close to natural, living conditions for tropical fish.

And so, once again we list all the positive points associated with adding almond leaves to the aquarium:

• strengthen the immune system of the inhabitants of the aquarium;
• take on the functions of a natural conditioner, reducing water hardness and lowering the pH level;
• exhibit antibacterial and antiviral activity;
• make the color of the fish brighter;
• color aquarium water in a brownish tropical color;
• act as an additional source of nutrition for shrimp, since when the leaves decay, big number microorganisms that are natural food for small crustaceans.

For 100 liters of aquarium water, you need to take 2-3 almond leaves, which are changed to fresh ones every 3 weeks. If you are a seller of fish and keep them in an aquarium with Indian almond leaves, you must warn buyers about this. The fact is that fish, accustomed to water saturated with humic acids and tannins, may simply not adapt to ordinary water from a central water supply. In addition, excessive use of almond leaves can significantly acidify the water and lower the pH level too much. You can order Indian almond leaves via the Internet, but be careful with the choice of supplier.

Before adding to the aquarium, dried leaves should be thoroughly washed. You can also boil almond leaves to make a concentrate that you can add to your aquarium as needed. We assure you that even in this form, almond extract does not lose its effectiveness.

			Indian almond leaves and their magical properties...
It cannot be said that the leaves of Indian almonds are absolutely irreplaceable, but nevertheless they are very useful. Cunning Asian suppliers, those who sell fish all over the world, put some large brown leaves in bags with the most delicate ones. Thanks to them, even fish that do not shine with health come to us alive. Water in leaf bags looks brown. If you throw such a leaf into the aquarium, then for another five days, even if there is a duct, it will slightly color the water and have a tonic effect on the fish. It is advisable to use almond leaves or their analogues during the entire period of adaptation of fish to life in an aquarium.
In spring and autumn, when tap water has a pronounced effect on the mucous membranes of fish, Indian almond leaves can turn out to be a magic wand.

I add Indian almond leaves to aquariums with problem fish. And the results are very good. The leaves are good for helping fish to adapt to new conditions, their anti-stress effect is obvious, in addition, they have bactericidal and fungicidal activity. It is a wonderful natural conditioner for the preparation of aquarium water. Here is what they write about the properties of the leaves of the Indian almond tree in the literature and the Internet.
The leaves of the Indian almond tree are widely used by Asian tropical ornamental fish breeders to stimulate reproduction and heal fish. In addition, aqueous extracts of these leaves have the following properties:

1. Act as a tonic, strengthening the defenses of fish.
2. They are excellent conditioners, eliminate the irritating effect of water, imitate the black water of the Amazon, lower the pH slightly.
3. They relieve swelling, hemorrhage, inflammation, act as an anti-allergic agent.
4. They have fungicidal and bactericidal activity, and, according to some reports, also antiviral.
5. Improve the color of fish.
6. Practically irreplaceable when breeding small shrimps, such as, for example, Crystal Red.

Instructions for use:

Just place the leaves in the aquarium water. Two - three leaves per 80 - 100 liters support the healing and tonic properties of water for 10 days. The water gradually darkens while the leaves are in the aquarium. Leaves give useful substances to the water in 5-6 days. After ten days, add new leaves to the aquarium. In small containers with cockerels, you can throw small pieces of leaves, an area of ​​​​3-5 square meters. see However, you should not allow the accumulation of a large mass of waste leaves at the bottom of the aquarium. Settled to the bottom, the old leaves are gradually eaten by some fish and shrimps. They are certainly useful for loricaria catfish (sucker catfish) and shrimp. Together with the introduction of new leaves, a partial one should be made in the aquarium (usually about 20% of the volume).

Photo taken from Singapore. This is an aquarium of one of the well-known suppliers of aquarium fish; young pterygoplichts are kept here. Leaves of Terminalia catappa could not have done here.

Young Indian almond saplings are planted around the territory of an aquarium fish exporter in Malaysia. This is often done, providing their economy with an inexhaustible supply of wonderful leaves.

How are Indian almond leaves used in folk medicine in tropical countries?

What does science say about the composition of leaves?

The leaves contain: plant pigments (violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, etc.), flavonoids (quercetin, camperol, etc.), tannins, organic acids.
Extractive substances from the leaves of Indian almonds eliminate the harmful effects of heavy metals and aluminum, facilitate the absorption of vitamins by the body, restore the skin, and have anti-stress and anti-allergic effects. Quercetin is especially famous for its usefulness, there is a lot of information about it on the net.

Is it possible to buy Indian almond leaves in Russia?

Can. For example, in Petersburg, Indian almond leaves and branded preparations based on it can be bought at AquaInterio aquarium hypermarket.

TR7 is a blend of herbal extracts including Indian almond (ketapanga) leaf extract. The drug does not color the water, which is important for those who like to take pictures of their aquarium and for plants (water does not turn into a light filter that "cuts off" the red-orange and blue parts of the lamp emission spectrum necessary for photosynthesis). TR7 really works great and is more comfortable to use than leaves.

What can be substituted for Indian almond leaves? Regular tea can be used to treat fish and as a conditioner. Yes, yes - this is also an excellent phytotherapeutic agent for use in an aquarium. Read about this special material: "

Description Reviews Images

Terminalia catappa, Terminalia, Ketapang, Indian almond - a deciduous tree native to Australia and Southeast Asia, growing with a characteristic horizontally spreading crown. It grows in the foothills of the Himalayas, Bihar, Bengal, Burma, Central and South India and on the island of Sri Lanka.

The leaves are large, obovate, hard, dark green. During the dry season they turn copper red, brown and then fall off. With the onset of the wet season, new green leaves appear.

Flowering begins in August-September, and fruiting - in November-December. The flowers are small, greenish-white, with an unpleasant odor, collected in elongated spike-shaped inflorescences. The fruits are almond-shaped, 5-7 cm long and 3-5 cm wide, first green, then brown. Terminalia fruits are edible and taste like almonds.

The Indian almond is one of the most common roadside trees in the tropical region due to its outstanding shade-forming properties.

For medical purposes, use the bark, leaves and fruits. The leaf extract is used in the cosmetic industry. As part of creams, it improves metabolic processes in the skin, promotes the production of elastin and collagen, improves skin tone and elasticity, and slows down the process of premature aging. Also, the leaves of the Indian almond tree are widely used by Asian tropical ornamental fish breeders to stimulate reproduction and heal fish.

SOWING SEEDS

The fruit of the terminalia has a peculiar structure: the upper layer is fibrous, under it there is a spongy structure, sour in taste, similar to pumice, but softer and slightly saturated with a sticky composition. This structure is poured over a hard bone with a woody shell. Inside the seed is an almond seed 1.5-2 cm in size - what should germinate.

First you need to cut the spongy structure with a knife to the very drupe. On some "nuts" traces or attempts of bugs to get to tasty almonds are visible, but all in vain. No more than 1-3 mm they manage to drill through the sticky layer.

The more sponges are cut from the drupe, the easier it will open up after the seed swells. If you can pry off the sharp end of the drupe so you can see the seed, even better. The luckiest, if you manage to open the drupe itself, germination is guaranteed by 95%, but there is a chance of just breaking the seed.

Broken seeds can also be planted if 2/3 of the seed is intact and not broken on the germination side. You will get a sprout with funny, clumsy-ugly cotyledons that feed the sprout for the first time. Then they dry up, do not touch them - they will fall off by themselves.

We soak the treated drupe for 2-3 days, changing the water, the seed itself for 8-12 hours. Landing in light soil is superficial, slightly pressing.