Fruits, seeds and bark for your aquarium
This blog post was written and provided by Nekka Fernandez for Firemouth Aquaristic, thank you!
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Fruit of Calamus Longisetum
baobab fruit
Fruit of the jungle tree Sterculia foetida
Also known locally in Southeast Asia as the "Java olive tree."
Sterculia Pods have an almost "woody" appearance and texture, and are quite durable.
They are perfect little hideouts for dwarf cichlids, catfish and other fish. A perfect natural "accessory" to simulate the flooded forest or the biotope of a tropical stream, where branches, seeds and pods like these fall and accumulate.
They measure about 10.16 cm in diameter on average, with openings of about 4.45-6.35 cm.
These pods will leach some tannins into the water in the long run.
PREPARATION: You need to boil Sterculia Pods for at least an hour (sometimes a little longer)
ORIGIN: Southeast Asia (Our suppliers are in Thailand and Tamil Nadu, India.
ichnocarp bark
The bark and twigs of Ichnocarpus frutescens from India is an interesting and functionally aesthetic botanical material, ideal for all types of applications!
Long known for its medicinal properties, Ichnocarpus has been widely studied by science for pharmacological applications.
Phytochemical research indicates that the plant contains valuable compounds, such as phytosterol, triterpenes, flavonoids and several other phenolic substances.
Suitable for black water.
Adds a detailed natural aesthetic to harsh landscapes.
Packed with dye-producing tannins.
Will recruit fungal and biofilm growth
Provide areas for fish and shrimp to feed between
Durable and long lasting. They can be found in a multitude of sizes.
ORIGIN: India
Sky Fruit Pod
These are very interesting woody pods, derived from the outer shell of the fruit of the Swietenia macrophylla tree, which comes from a wide range of tropical locations (although native to Brazil), and are just the sort of thing you would find floating or submerged in a rainforest stream.
Often called "Skyfruit" by locals in the regions they are found because they hang from trees.
These botanicals can leach a large amount of tannins, similar to a piece of Mopani wood or other driftwood of similar size. They are known to be full of flavonoids, saponins and other humic substances, which have positive effects on the health of fish.
Averaging about 3 inches long and about 1 inch wide, these rather slim capsules will look great in a wide range of aquatic applications, from aquariums to vivariums. They hold up very well under long-term immersion and humidity.
PREPARATION: This one requires a good amount of boiling to keep it submerged. We recommend about an hour, although sometimes some stubborn people will take longer. A 24-hour "post-boil soak" in fresh water is also a great idea, to let the initial organic compounds and combined tannins leach out.
ORIGIN: Brazil
Tai Cutch Tree Bark
The Cutch Tree (Senegalia catechu) is found throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand. This deciduous tree is used in traditional medicine throughout the region and is appreciated for its flavenols and of course, tannins and other humic substances.
Cutch Tree Bark offers a rich source of these substances, which are also believed to provide antibacterial and antifungal properties and other health benefits to aquarium inhabitants, and is widely used by aquarists in its native region, particularly Betta enthusiasts. .
Preparation is simple: the bark is carefully washed with fresh water, cleaned and dried. Nothing is added; It's nice and clean!
This bark is a sort of "shredded format," with a fibrous appearance, not unlike long-fiber peat. In fact, we would have uses that you use it in a very similar way to long fiber peat! This material is perfect as a substrate "improver", nursery/paludarium "coast" material, and simply for conditioning and "tinting" your aquarium water by placing it in a mesh filter bag.
It is a cool spawning substrate for various fish, such as bottom-spawning killies, which love to lay their eggs in it. Plecos and other wood-eating catfish will actually incorporate bark as part of their diet, so it should be replaced over time.
Preparation: Rinse overnight in fresh water to saturate, then boil for about 15-20 minutes. After boiling, let it soak overnight. Although it requires a little more preparation than you might expect, this process will help it soak more and sink, and will filter out some of the dirt, organic compounds, and initial tannins bound to the bark. The bark will decompose very, very slowly and can be replaced as desired.
You can use as much as you like, taking into account its ability to color the water and potentially affect the pH.
Pandanus Pod
If you have paludariums, these are really great pods to help create hiding spaces, territories and even "terraces" or just "forest" floor dispersal. It is the dried fruit of the Pandanus tree, or "Thech Screwpine" (Pandanus tectorius), commonly found in coastal mangrove habitats. They are quite attractive and durable. However, they are too difficult to sink for aquatic use, in our experience. They vary between 3.81-6.35 cm in length.
PREPARATION: We have tried to make these capsules sink, but even after 1.5 hours of boiling, ours floated as before. Maybe you can find out the secret?
ORIGIN: Indonesia
Dregea Pod
It has a truly unique spoon shape, and is reminiscent of the pods and fruits that fall into tropical streams, enriching the waters and providing feeding and protective areas for many species of fish.
They are quite variable in size, have an interesting, ridged, nut-like outer shell and a soft, woody interior.
They look like miniature pumpkins cut in half. When placed on the substrate here and there, they really help to evoke the look of a tropical stream!
Prawns love to graze on them, both because of the biofilms they recruit and the soft interior of the pods as they decompose over time.
PREPARATION: We recommend boiling them for 40-45 minutes. They are really light, but surprisingly durable.
ORIGIN: India and Indonesia
"Twenty Twigs" - Assorted Small Oak Twigs
There's something about the small, intricate details of a waterscape that really brings it to life!
Oak Twigs, with a little texture on each one is that type of "character" that really creates interesting details in your aquascapes.
They release a lot of tannins.
PREPARATION: Boil for about 15 minutes, then let them rest in the water until they sink easily. Give them a quick rinse and you're done!
ORIGIN: North America
Selatan Catappa Bark Pieces
Catappa Bark: This is a larger, thicker material from Selatan, Indonesia.
There are three types:
The first complete"tubes", like the bark of Indian catappa.
Light stripes like strips of catappa bark from Borneo. •
And thick pieces of bark that are effective as a water conditioner and as an aesthetic complement. Bigger, thicker and more "substantial", like the southern Cattapa for example this one from Selatan.
They deeply color the water that we love so much around here. And they have a nice "watercourse" aesthetic!
PREPARATION: Boil for a few minutes, followed by a brief soak in fresh water to achieve complete saturation (and sinking!) before use.
ORIGIN: Pontianac, Selatan, Indonesia
Buddha Nuts
It is a perfect natural product for the aquarium. Buddha Nut is full of beneficial tannins and is the ideal refuge for shrimp and fish. Buddha nut is ideal for tying mosses and plants.
The size of the pieces varies between approximately 8 and 12 centimeters. Due to its thick wooden shell, this Buddha nut contains many beneficial substances, including tannins, trace elements and natural vitamins.
Features of Buddha Nuts Botanicals
The tannins in the walnut shells are slowly released into the water. These tannins have many different benefits:
They slightly increase the acidity of the water.
Inhibitory effect on bacteria and diseases.
It turns the water slightly brown.
Helps imitate the natural habitat of animals.
The use of natural products is becoming increasingly popular in aquariums. Don't miss the Buddha Nut: A multifunctional refuge for shrimp and fish.
Canoinhas Pod
These seeds have a natural curve that makes them ideal for use as shelter. By mixing some natural products, you can give an aquarium a natural look and simulate the habitat of animals. Canoinhas pods originate from the Amazon.
The size of the pieces varies between 10 and 14 centimeters.
Canoinhas seeds are not yet widely used in aquariums, but they are full of beneficial substances such as tannins.
Canoinhas botanicals are ideal for use in biotope aquariums and serve as excellent natural hiding places.
Characteristics of Canoinhas Pod Botanicals
The tannins inside the pods are slowly released into the water.
These tannins have many different benefits:
- Slightly increases the acidity of the water
- Inhibitory effect on bacteria, fungi and diseases
- Turns the water slightly brown
- Support the recreation of the natural habitat
Seru Pod
Seru seeds offer perfect natural hiding places for small fish and shrimp.
The size of the pieces varies between 12 and 15 centimeters.
The effects of Seru seeds on aquarium water parameters can be compared to the effects of Indian almond leaves.
Seru pods are full of tannins that have many positive effects and naturally reduce the KH and PH of the water.
These substances also have an antibacterial and stress-reducing effect.
- The Seru Pods XL botanicals give the water a brown color and are therefore also suitable for creating a blackwater biotope.
- Prawns and other small animals like to take shelter in Seru seeds. Because Seru Pods XL are a natural product, their shape and dimensions may differ.
- The pieces vary from 12 to 15 centimeters.
These woody botanicals, the fruits of the evergreen tree, Schima wallichii of India, add variety to your botanicals with their unique rounded shape, many of these pods close once submerged and resemble a seed that has fallen to the bottom. from the river.
- They slightly increase the acidity of the water.
- Inhibitory effect on bacteria and diseases.
- It turns the water slightly brown.
- Helps imitate the natural habitat of animals.
Adam Nut
Due to its thick wooden skin, this Badam nut contains many beneficial substances, including tannins, trace elements and natural vitamins.
Badam nut has a size of 5-8 centimeters.
The use of natural products is increasingly popular in aquariums and shrimp aquariums. The Badam nut should not be missed, a multifunctional shelter for all the small live animals in your aquarium.
Features of Badam Nut Botanicals
The tannins within the nut are slowly released into the water.
These tannins have many different benefits:
Slightly increases the acidity of the water
Inhibitory effect on bacteria and diseases
Colors the water slightly brown
Support the recreation of the natural habitat PROBOSCIDEA LOUISIANICA POD The Devil's Claw as it is commonly known, originates in southern North America: from Indiana to Iowa, Utah, Texas and New Mexico.
As its name indicates, it has a special shape with two horns. This shell is born from a plant that can reach a maximum height of 1 meter.
Saint Fruit
Sant Fruit is the result of drying different fruits from the forests of Indonesia, which thanks to this process reflect a wrinkled and irregular appearance that will give your aquarium or terrarium a unique and creative appearance. Prawns and other small animals like to hide in the Sant Fruit pods. Because Sant Fruit is a product of diverse origin, the dimensions of the fruits are combined to offer you different possibilities within your aquarium. Characteristics of Sant Fruit botanicals
Sant Fruit pods release beneficial substances (tannins and tannic acids) into the aquarium water. The effects of these substances are comparable to those of Catappa leaves.
They ensure that the pH is reduced naturally.
They have an antibacterial and stress-reducing effect. Sant Fruit give the water a brown color and are therefore also suitable for creating a blackwater biotope.
Preparation: You will need to boil these pods for at least 30 minutes (sometimes a little longer) to submerge them. They will also occasionally sink (like a couple of hours) in fresh, room temperature water!
Monkey Pod
The so-called “Monkey Pod” is technically a nut, produced from the abundant tree, Lecythis pisonis, native to South America (most notably, the Amazon region).
The large, woody, pumpkin-like fruits are a favorite of monkeys, (hence their name) who reach out and tear off the nutritious fruit inside, discarding the hard outer nut.
Palm Ring
From the fruit of palm trees, this botanical is cosmopolitan, once wet it will stretch, losing its curl and becoming softer, yet it lasts a long time before decomposing. Isoberlinia is a genus in the family Fabaceae (legume family) of five species of trees native to the warmer parts of tropical Africa.
They are an important component of miombo forests. The leaves have three or four pairs of large leaflets and thick seed pods.
These are natural seeds, so their size may vary slightly from one piece to another.
Always boil before using.
Cinchona officinalis Leaf
It is a species of tree native to South America, found in the rainforest of the Peruvian Amazon. Its bark, which is called cinchona or quinaquina, has extensive medicinal qualities, like other species of the genus.
Due to their hardness, they are leaves that will remain in the water longer than those of other species, leaving precious nerves after decomposition.
Boil before use for at least 15 minutes.
Cotton Pods
This dried botanical is the fruit of Gossypium with the fluffy cotton part removed, leaving a star-shaped pod.
Each loose pod is about 3 cm long, including the short stem, and about 4 cm wide. This cotton pod is great for decorating aquarium floors and creating blackwater biotypes.
Features of Cotton Pods Botanicals
Cotton Pods release beneficial substances (tannins and tannic acids) into the aquarium water. The effects of these substances are comparable to those of Catappa leaves.
They ensure that the pH is reduced naturally. In addition, these substances have an antibacterial and stress-reducing effect. Cotton Pods give the water a brown color. Preparation: You will need to boil these pods for at least 20 minutes (sometimes a little longer) to submerge them (because they float when first submerged).
Curly Pods
These botanical products provide a very natural appearance to the bottom of the aquarium, simulating a river where some seed shells have fallen.
Features of Curly Pods Botanicals
The tannins in Curly barks are slowly released into the water.
These tannins have many different benefits:
They slightly increase the acidity of the water.
Inhibitory effect on bacteria and diseases.
It turns the water slightly brown.
Helps imitate the natural habitat of animals.
Amra Fruit Native to Peru
The Amra Fruit is found widely throughout the world, including Central America, West Africa and Asia. It belongs to the Anacardiaceae family of plants or cashews.
Amra fruits are also believed to have healing properties, and are used medicinally in Ayurveda.
They must be boiled before use so that they sink under water.
*These are natural seeds, so their size may vary slightly from one piece to another.
Bolster Pod
Cosmopolitan seed that will provide good shelter for small to medium-sized fish.
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