Aquarium Blackwater Leaves and Leaf Litter

Our forest floor litter packs are full of diverse colours and shapes with over 10 different species of leaves in every pack. Mixed among the leaves you may find botanicals such as acorns, magnolia stems and roots. Our packs allow you to truly create a natural-looking blackwater aquarium, bringing nature into the home.

Tannins Released: High

All our leaves are organically sourced, and free from harmful pesticides.

Our leaves are cosmetically varied and as nature intended, flaws and all. Colour, shape, size and appearance will vary throughout.

These are the go-to leaves for all our blackwater species, these are perfect for breeders or for someone who wants to create a more natural feel to their blackwater biotope aquascapes. The leaves have naturally dried and fallen from the tree, curled up or crinkled in the process. 

They do the exact same job as grade A leaves (Grading in Catappa Indian almond leaves is used to refer to the cosmetic appearance only)  they just aren’t as refined in appearance, however, in our opinion they give a more natural appearance when used in aquascaping.

Catappa Indian almond leaves are renowned for their antibacterial properties helping keep common aquarium diseases at bay. They are also known to increase fish health, colour and create suitable spawning conditions for many South American and South-eastern fish species.

Tannins Released: High

Check out our Extra-large Catappa Indian almond leaves.

All our leaves are organically sourced, and free from harmful pesticides.

Our leaves are cosmetically varied and as nature intended, flaws and all. Colour, shape, size and appearance will vary throughout.

These beautiful leaves come from the Ginkgo biloba, which is the only living species of Ginkgoales that first appeared over 290 million years ago. Although they do not produce much in the way of tannins, their elegant shape and rich gold colour really add a unique and exquisite element to any blackwater aquarium. They are a favourite with our shrimp customers as Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp enjoy dining on the delicate textured leaves.

Tannins Released: Low

All our leaves are organically sourced, and free from harmful pesticides.

Our leaves are cosmetically varied and as nature intended, flaws and all. Colour, shape, size and appearance will vary throughout.

One of our favourite leaves to use in blackwater aquarium displays, with their stiff golden brown physique they make a captivating addition to the aquarium. Almost twice the size of the Magnolia Michelia leaf, our aquascapers like to mix the two to add more depth and variety to a design. They also make a great supplement food source through biofilm development, perfect for shrimp, fry and bottom dwellers.  

Tannins Released: High

All our leaves are organically sourced, and free from harmful pesticides.

Our leaves are cosmetically varied and as nature intended, flaws and all. Colour, shape, size and appearance will vary throughout.

One of our favourite leaves to use in blackwater aquarium displays, with their stiff golden brown physique they make a captivating addition to the aquarium. For such a small leaf compared to an Indian almond leaf they produce a considerable amount of tannins. They also make a great supplement food source through biofilm development, perfect for shrimp, fry and bottom dwellers.

Tannins Released: High

All our leaves are organically sourced, and free from harmful pesticides.

Our leaves are cosmetically varied and as nature intended, flaws and all. Colour, shape, size and appearance will vary throughout.

This forest floor leaf litter combo is packed full of leaves commonly found throughout Borneo's forests their diverse shapes and sizes will make a real impact in your blackwater aquarium. Some leaves are over 30cm, making this Malaysian leaf litter pack perfect for larger blackwater aquarium projects. Like a forest floor in nature, you will find botanicals throughout the leaf litter which will help the aesthetic of creating a truly natural-looking blackwater aquarium.

Check out our other leaf litter pack, perfect for smaller blackwater aquariums under 60cm. 

Tannins Released: High

All our leaves are organically sourced, and free from harmful pesticides.

Our leaves are cosmetically varied and as nature intended, flaws and all. Colour, shape, size and appearance will vary throughout.

These stunning palm branches are over 1 meter in length and can make an excellent focal point in any blackwater biotope aquarium. They can be put into the aquarium whole or broken into smaller pieces and layered. They are one of the botanicals that can really help bring a biotope aquascape together and are a favourite among our aquascaping customers. 

WARNING: Our palm branches are from Phoenix canariensis and do not release cycasin which is a toxin commonly found in palm species which can be detrimental to the aquarium inhabitants.

Tannins Released: Medium

Please be wary of buying palm branches from other sources as they may not be suitable for aquarium use.

All our leaves are organically sourced, and free from harmful pesticides.

Our leaves are cosmetically varied and as nature intended, flaws and all. Colour, shape, size and appearance will vary throughout.

I don’t think a fishkeeper out there does not know the many benefits of Catappa Indian almond leaves. At Castle Dawn Aquatics we use them religiously with all our wild and domestic Bettas. 

Their antibacterial properties help keep diseases at bay and the release of humic acids lowers the pH value of the water, perfect for any blackwater species. Our X-large almond leaves are just shy of 30cm making them great for larger aquariums.

Catappa Indian almond leaves are not only renowned for their antibacterial properties but their ability to aid in fish health, promote fin growth, invigorating colours and create suitable spawning conditions for many South American and Southeastern species.

Tannins Released: High

As with all our botanicals, this product is free from any chemicals and is naturally sun-dried without ethanol.

Our leaves are cosmetically varied and as nature intended, flaws and all. Colour, shape, size and appearance will vary throughout.

Longan leaves have not yet made their mark yet in the west but in parts of Asia, they are the cure-all for many fish ailments and the go-to cure for turtle keepers to treat gastrointestinal parasites. Fishkeepers that use Longan leaves claim they balance the PH of the aquarium, fight fungus kills parasites and help with the conditioning of exhausted fish. 

We use them in our quarantine tanks and ponds, particularly with fish that have been travelling for days. Whether or not the benefits are true, we personally find fish recover far quicker and are less prone to disease caused by transport stress. 

If you are looking for a leaf with similar properties to Indian almond leaves but without the heavy tannins or the lowering of the PH rapidly you found them.

Tannins Released: High

All our leaves are organically sourced, and free from harmful pesticides.

Our leaves are cosmetically varied and as nature intended, flaws and all. Colour, shape, size and appearance will vary throughout.

Sweet osmanthus is found throughout Southeast Asia and the flower is commonly used in China to sweeten tea. Instead of deep brown tones, the osmanthus leaves are lighter, adding a new element of colour to leaf litter in a blackwater aquarium. 

They also make a great supplement food source through biofilm development, perfect for shrimp, fry and bottom dwellers.  Osmanthus leaves will release a fair amount of tannins into the water but nothing compared to the likes of Logan leaves, however, they will certainly add diversity to your blackwater aquarium.

Tannins Released: Low

All our leaves are organically sourced, and free from harmful pesticides.

Our leaves are cosmetically varied and as nature intended, flaws and all. Colour, shape, size and appearance will vary throughout.

A favourite among our aquascaping blackwater customers. The leaves have a beautiful shape, rich in colour and familiarity. The deep reds set it apart from other leaves used in blackwater aquarium scapes and enhance an aquascape design mixed among the typical brown leaves. 

Tannins Released: Medium

All our leaves are organically sourced, free from harmful pesticides.

Our leaves are cosmetically varied and as nature intended, flaws and all. Colour, shape, size and appearance will vary throughout.

These beautiful Papyrus leaves are just short of 12 inches making them ideal for larger blackwater aquarium aquascapes or a centrepiece to a smaller blackwater aquarium. As the Papyrus leaves become more waterlogged the leaves open up to create a fan shape, adding a unique decorative element to the aquascape. 

The leaves are not only decorative but they make an excellent alternative food source for shrimp and bottom dwellers who cannot seem to resist their tissue paper-like textured leaves. 

Tannins Released: Low

All our leaves are organically sourced, and free from harmful pesticides.

Our leaves are cosmetically varied and as nature intended, flaws and all. Colour, shape, size and appearance will vary throughout.