safe to buy?

[chooz]

I went to a LFS and I saw ketapang leaves inside some of the tanks. Is it safe to buy fish that are in those tanks?

Isn't that mean the fish in the tank are under stress or not healthy? Is that the reason for the ketapang leave treatment?

[celticfish]

I don't like to answer thus but Yes and No.
If you notice usually the more expensive or specific species get the leaves.
It not placed in every tank.
Its used to help the fish acclimatize and reduce the chances of bacteria getting the better of them from the stress of shipping and so on.

The shop do use them to "treat" fish that are not doing well too.
Once you have gained more experience in seeing the signs of an healthy/unhealthy fish you will be able to buy with confidence.

[doppelbanddwarf]

Some LFSes do put ketapang leaves in tanks of fishes which do well in tannin-stained waters, for example bettas. Also the darker conditions and hiding spaces provided by the leaves means that fishes are less stressed. As long as the fish are healthy and behaving normally, there should not be a problem .

[juggler]

I wish to add that if you do buy from the shop, ask to get the same tank water so the fish would not get shocked.

At home, slowly acclimatise the fish to your water conditions.

I do that especially if I buy sensitive yamatos from LFS.

[chooz]

Thanks for the clarifications.

The tank in question houses Corydoras paleatus and corydoras aeneus. Is ketapang beneficial to corydoras? I am a big fan of corydoras but I have never use ketapang leave before.

[baby_lucky]

wash it clean before you use it.