SunGrow Mini Catappa Leaf Litter, 100 Pack, Indian almond leaves

One pack of these mini catappa leaves holds 100 dried leaves, and each leaf measures between 2 and 2.5 inches. The brown leaves are dried, so they can go straight into an isopod vivarium as substrate or be placed around a burrow entrance as a hiding place. They suit a vivarium, terrarium, aquarium, jar or bowl.

Dried leaves for substrate and shelter

Isopods can eat the dried leaves, so a layer of them gives the enclosure both a surface to walk on and something to feed on. A leaf set at a burrow entrance makes a covered spot an animal can retreat into.

The leaves arrive whole and can be dropped into the enclosure that way or torn into smaller pieces first. In an aquarium, the stated ratio is 10 leaves for every 12 gallons, or 50 litres, of water.

What the 100-pack contains

• 100 mini catappa leaves, dried and brownish
• Each leaf is between 2 and 2.5 inches long
• One pack weighs 68 g (2.4 oz)

Will these leaves suit your setup?

Check the size first: at 2 to 2.5 inches per leaf, they are small pieces of litter rather than large display leaves, so a jar, bowl or small vivarium holds them without crowding. If you keep an aquarium, work out the dose from the volume of water, using 10 leaves per 12 gallons (50 litres).

The leaves are not a floating decoration, because they settle down after 1 to 2 days in water. For a setup where you want the leaves to stay on the surface, these will not do that.

Preparing and storing the leaves

Rinse the leaves before use, even if you have boiled or soaked them first. The quicker route is a boil of 5 to 10 minutes before the leaves go into the tank, and after boiling you can optionally soak them in freshwater. During weekly maintenance, swap the old leaves for fresh ones.

Adding the leaves to an enclosure

Drop the leaves in whole or tear them into pieces, depending on the size of the space. In a vivarium, spread them as substrate or set one at a burrow entrance. In an aquarium, add them at the rate of 10 leaves per 12 gallons (50 litres); they produce a dye in the water as they sit.

Questions about the mini catappa leaves

How many leaves come in one pack?

One pack contains 100 mini catappa leaves.

How big is each leaf?

Each leaf measures between 2 and 2.5 inches, and the packed item measures 0.2 x 1.5 x 2 inches.

How many leaves go into an aquarium?

The stated ratio is 10 leaves per 12 gallons (50 litres) of water.

Do I need to rinse the leaves before adding them?

Yes, the leaves should be rinsed before use, even after boiling or soaking.

How long do the leaves float?

The leaves settle down after 1 to 2 days.