Litterleaf

Taratron · Post by **Taratron** » 13 Apr 2005, 00:25

Odd idea I've had for my catch-all 10 gallon tank, which houses a half dozen kuhli loaches and a banjo cat. Perhaps two; it's hard to tell with those guys!

The tank substrate is sand, but I was wondering about adding a layer of leafs over it to lure the banjos out more. Has anyone ever done this successfully? Would the kuhlis mind the litter? And most importantly, what kind of leaves? Keeping in mind that I live in Arizona, and the only trees close to me are mimosa, eucalyptus, and oleander.

I imagine that fake leaves, such as ones from a craft store, would work too, but I was hoping that some tannins might leech out slightly and get the animals more interested in eventual breeding?

Post by **Silurus** » 13 Apr 2005, 01:37

mimosa, eucalyptus, and oleander

Unfortunately, these aren't going to work.

Something like oak or beech would be fine, but I don't suppose you'd be able to get them where you're at.

WhitePine · Post by **WhitePine** » 13 Apr 2005, 01:48

If you are near Tucson.. The UA has a Campus Arboretum. I know that they have a few oaks and maples in their collection. Just wait for fall and pick up your leafs.

http://msg.calsnet.arizona.edu/arboretu ... /chart.cfm

Cheers

Taratron · Post by **Taratron** » 13 Apr 2005, 02:39

Unfortunately, am around three hours from Tucson.

Any other suggestions/ideas?

Hey, anyone care to ship me some clean oak leaves? ;)

pturley · Post by **pturley** » 13 Apr 2005, 05:00

I still have a bag of oak leaves from last fall.

Email me an address.

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 13 Apr 2005, 13:30

do NOT use Oleander!!!!
this is a highly poisonous tree, and with a few leaves you can and will put a sudden stop to your hobby

not a single fish will survive.

I've seen people in tears, because they used Oleander in terrariums with Tortoises, or even insectivore lizards.
the crickets nibbled on the oleander, the lizards ate the crickets.....

a FEW critters from the natural habitat of Oleander can and do eat it, but for most it's lethal stuff.
it can even put your small kid on the IC if he/she eats a leaf or a few ones.

Taratron · Post by **Taratron** » 14 Apr 2005, 03:46

Oh, I wasn't about to use any of the plants I had listed; sorry for the confusion.

Tell me about it, with the oleander....that stuff is deadly!

Elspeth · Post by **Elspeth** » 14 Apr 2005, 17:27

Would elm (chinese) or maple (dunno which variety) work? Do I need to wait until fall and get the leaves then, or can fresh spring/summer leaves be used?

How would you prepare the leaves and how on earth would you ship them -- dry them first, or not?

I have banjo catfish currently in quarantine (giftie from my dear husband, who went to the AS auction for me) and plenty of chinese elm and maple leaves from my own unsprayed trees. I'd like to set up leaf litter for my own banjos, and I'm sure I'll have some leaves to spare if they can be used in their green state!

pturley · Post by **pturley** » 14 Apr 2005, 17:43

Oak, Beech or Ash are typically listed as safe. Maple is OK, but does tend to break down a bit faster than oak.

Dried leaves shed in the fall are ideal, dead branches can be plucked as well.

Elspeth · Post by **Elspeth** » 14 Apr 2005, 19:33

So to collect our own, we'll have to wait until fall. How is storage? Just make sure they're dry and save them in a bag?

Alas, I don't think I have any oaks on my property. I can gather maple in the fall and just cope with their not lasting as long.

pturley · Post by **pturley** » 14 Apr 2005, 21:31

No, "dead branches can be plucked as well." And yes, that is all it takes for storage.