Description
Indian Almond Bark is used to improve water quality, soften water, aide fish to prevent and help support the immune system to fight off disease, in livebearer breeding tanks, shrimp tanks, etc. There are many benefits to adding Indian Almond Bark to a home aquarium!
Catappa/Kepapang bark comes from a farm in Borneo where bark is cleaned if needed and organically processed and dried.
Most common uses in the home aquarium include the following:
Inducing Spawning In Livebearer breeding tanks, bark can help to induce spawning
Provide Hiding Places and Organic Matter In shrimp tanks. Provides places to hide, area to nibble on, improves reproduction, reduces mortality during molting and can help to induce breeding
Reducing pH and Ammonia Bark release tannins, similar to driftwood. While it may slightly discolor the tank water, leaves can help to protect fish.
Bubble Nest Builders Bettas and other bubble nest builders appreciate the tannins from the leaves when building nests
Immune System Support Tannins are known to support the immune system to help fish fight off disease
Black Water Extract No need to buy black water extracts as it comes naturally from this bark, which can help South American and Amazon species
How to Use Add whole or break into smaller pieces. Bark gradually releases tannins that will turn the water a yellowish brown, same as driftwood. This slight discoloration doesn’t distract from the tank itself, but some find they prefer crystal clear, blue toned water. Can be used to create homemade Black Water Extract. Just boil in a pot of treated water to remove heavy metals, chloramine, etc. for up to 30 minutes; then let sit and cool for 24 hours. Store cooled extract in the refrigerator and use approximately 1 ounce per gallon tank water.
Megan Osika (verified owner) –
It’s unusual to find the catappa bark. I like how it lasts longer than leaves.