Giant leaves!

[andrew73]

Can I just pick up any giant leaf and drop it into my tank for my shrimp to nibble on or are those that I've seen in the LFS a specifically treated leaf meant as food for shrimp? I've got some Yamato's and Malayan's and they only grab the remainder fish food. Would like to perhaps put something specifically for shrimps so they'll come out into the open more, even though my moss carpet hasn't really bloomed yet!

Thanks!

[beetroot]

Umm... no... that is a specific leaf. I don't think you can simply drop any leaf for your shrimps, they are sensitive creatures. I don't know the name of the leaf, but I know it when I see it, can get from some parks. But been seeing people write "ketapang" leaf but I'm not sure if it is the same. I think it is the same leaf used for betta.

When I get the leaf, I normally soak it for a few days before putting it into my shrimp tanks. But note that the leaf will make your water brownish... so perhaps the longer you soak it outside, the better it is.

[andrew73]

Beetroot,

Thanks. Ketapang, eh? I was told by any forumer that I should feed the shrimps algae wafers. Will the leaf affect the fish in the same tank? Where did you get your leaves from?

Cheers!

[beetroot]

Hi!

Yes, it is ketapang leaf that I use, found some info:

This is how it looks like, the tree:
http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/...ia_catappa.htm

and further info/links:
http://www.theteh.com/html/indian_al...g_leaf__u.html
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=42001

Not sure about affecting other fish, as I only have shrimps .

Are you in Singapore? I get mine in Clementi. There are a few trees along Clementi Ave 2 (about 2 bus stops from c328 towards West Coast Road), and plenty of trees at West Coast Park .

[meerkat]

Some bros actually recommended to put in kiwi skin to attract pesky snails so that they can be removed together with the skin later.

So I tried it but unfortunately the ramshorns in my shrimp tank are not into this type of expensive bait and did not fall for it.

My shrimps (and my otos), however, show much earnest and show up in full force to munch on the skins.

Maybe you can try that

Agree with bro beetroot tha not any type of leave but only specific ones. Some leaves actually contain toxic compounds and may be fatal to your little guys...

My two cents...

[andrew73]

Kiwifruit skin? Darn-I should've kept them last night! If only I knew! Not sure if it would help with the diet of sugar, albeit natural! My rainbow sharks are already pretty fat from when they 1st went into my tank!

On a sidenote, I was thinking of retying moss on my driftwood as it's quite sparse and there are some bald spots. Only thing is, if I remove the driftwood, shrimps won't have a place to hid. I also want to DIY that 6tube triangle and moss it up also, as an alternative hiding spot for the shrimps. Can any old plastic tube do?

Thanks, guys!

[tetrafreak]

I have tried ketapang leaves with my cherries and malayans and tetras. It turned my water tea-colored overnight (very big leaves!) but that didn't seem to have bothered the tetras or shrimps. Maybe tbey appreciate the increased acidity of the water...who knows?

On the other hand, i have not seen them feeding on it either...

Btw, i didn't pre-soak the leave in water before putting it straight into the tank. Maybe i should dry them out a bit too?

[beetroot]

i read somewhere that one of the Moderators put fresh ketapang leaves into the tanks, so i think no need to dry them first. Will try to find the link if i can.....

added: here's the link
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=19968

[andrew73]

I tried dropping 2 slices of kiwifruit skin but they totally ignored them! Couldn't find leaves from LFS nearby so I may have to head to the west to collect some or would some kind soul pick some up for me and I'll collect it from you? Also, I dropped in an algae wafer and yet again, the shrimp ignored them. 1 brother suggested I do that so I did. Oh well...perhaps the location wasn't good enough for them to come out and munch as my moss hasn't grown fully yet!

[beetroot]

Wait for a while? Maybe they weren't hungry yet ... but when you leave them alone, they may finish all the food for you... haha.

You driving to Clementi area? Know where to get?

[andrew73]

Tetrafreak,

Your tetras didn't have any problems with the ketapang leaf in your tank? I have 3angled and black tetras, and also a pair or rainbow sharks. Perhaps I should drop half a leaf 1st?

Thanks!

[tetrafreak]

it seems safe with my red-eyeb tetras, rummynose tetras, cherry barbs, zebra danios and black neon tetras...as well as malayan, cherry and ghost shrimps....and ramshorn snails.

think most of the above species inhabit water with fallen leaf litter, which can be quite acidic.

Btw, they can all co-exist pretty well with each other too

[andrew73]

Thanks. I think my neon is counting it's days! I'm not really keen to add any more tankmates although they do all look pretty much the same, meaning not very colourful fauna. The rainbow sharks are just wacky chasing themselves and the other fish every how and then. LFS said that rummynose aren't very hardy and recommended the black tetras instead so anything that's not hardy, I'm reluctant to add.

Noted on the ketapang leaf so once it's soaked enough, I'll throw it in there.

Thanks for the input!