ndian almond leaves have been used by breeders of Bettas in South Asia for many years. It was found that fish living in the waters next to Indian almond trees were healthier and more vibrant than their counterparts.Leaves falling into the water leached beneficial chemicals into the water. Breeders added some of the leaves to breeding tanks to replicate the natural waters and found that they made a great difference to the health of Bettas.. The leaves help keep fish healthy with strong anti-bacterial properties and promote breeding. The dried leaves act as a "black water extract" which gradually colours water brown like tea and reduces ph levels, releasing organic compounds such as humic acids, flavanoids (quercetin and kamferol) and tannins (s. a. punicalin, punicalagin and tercatein) into the water absorbing harmful chemicals. Other fish known to benefit from Indian almond leaf use include baby discus, dwarf chiclids, killi fish, rasboras, catfish and black water tetras.
Tannins, are"any phenolic compound of sufficiently high molecular weight containing sufficiant hydroxyls and other suitable groups (ie. carboxyls) to form effectively strong complexes with protein and other macromolecules under the particular enviromental conditions being studied."

Humic Acid Is it a mixture of several organic acids? Humic acids are a complex mixture of partially "decomposed" and otherwise transformed organic materials. The freshwater humic acids can come from a variety of sources, most of which are on land (decomposing terrestrial vegetation.) These substances wash into lakes and rivers, undergoing further transformations along the way, and ultimately into the ocean. Humic acid contains Sulfur, Nitrogen and Phosphorus in varying amounts. It also contains metals such as Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn etc. which can be 'chelated' in some undefined way. Humic acid can be broken down into two groups based on the polarity and size of the individual 'compounds'.The smaller, more polar fraction is generally termed fulvic acid and the larger, more non-polar fraction is generally termed humic acid. Humic acids are the end product of microbial degradation of plant and animal debris and are one of the most important constituents of fertile soils.Tannins, lignins and fulvic acids are sub classes of humic acids. They all tint the water yellow.
Tannic and humic acids may be useful for inhibiting many types of bacteria including cyano-bacteria and are fairly benign for your fish.Another paradoxical effect of humic acids is the detoxification of heavy metals. Humic material and detritus in the aquarium also rapidly absorb and detoxify many chemicals including zinc, aluminum and copper! One might expect them to be made more, not less toxic by humic acids, but the studies seem to indicate a detoxifying effect.
Also important to know: The harder the water the more ineffective the humic acids - - - more exactly: the dissolved lime in the water produces undissolvable calcium humates. So, the higher the water hardness, the higher must be the supply of humates in order to achieve an acidifying effect. The softer the water, the less humates are needed and the better the effect. It creates a natural environment similar to that of the lakes in the tropical rainforest and some area of the Amazon River. It also induces spawning for most soft water and acid loving fishes"

INDIAN ALMOND LEAF, THE TREE
terminalia catappa l. (scientific name)
T ropical almond trees are large deciduous trees that thrive as ornamentals tree in many tropical cities around the world. Originally from India, it grows up to 90 feet tall with horizontal whorls of branches offering clusters of foot long, obovate leaves that turn pink-red to red-yellow before falling. the greenish-white female and male flowers are on the same tree and are inconspicious. it has large (2-3 inch) nutty fruits very similar in taste to commercially grown almonds.
USE IN BREEDING
Asian breeders use dried indian almond leaves in their breeding tank as it's ph lowering properties mean less water changes are needed in the crucial first few weeks of the frys life. The leaf promotes an increase in breeding frequency in adults and improves health and vitality in newborn fry. You should replace leaves every two or three weeks until the fry are 3 to 4 months old. Males will build bubble nests under floating almond leaves and females will find refuge under a submerged leaf as well. Water becomes brownish and simulates their natural habitat.

TREATING SICK FISH
Ial's have been used to cure sick fish of bacterial infections and to help speed up healing of damaged fins or body injuries. Indian almond leaf is an alternative to commercially produced medicines but it's not a magic "cure-all", especially when dealing with diseases like dropsy, velvet etc. think of it as more of a preventative medicine. Set up an indian almond leaf "betta spa" tank so that your fish spend some time in once a month. If you choose to use indian almond leaf as a medicine you should be prepared to keep your fish in the tank for 10 - 14 days, avoid direct sunlight, keep the water temperature around 70 -82 degrees f. and feed live food.

BE CAREFULL
Betta breeders who choose to use indian almond leaf exclusively should be aware that bettas that have been raised with indian almond leaf treated water might not be able to adapt to aged tap water once sold to someone unaware. it's always important to know how any betta you plan to buy has been raised and as a breeder you should inform prospective buyers as well. excessive use of indian almond leaf also contributes to very acidic water conditions and lowers ph levels too much in some instances.