You can just put a whole leaf in or break it up and put the pieces in. I prefer to use the whole leaf just because I think it looks nicer than having pieces of IAL everywhere.

Most bettas when they realise they have something inedible in their mouth tend to spit it out, and I have really never seen any of my fish try and eat the IALs in their tanks. What I find happens is that male bettas tend to very quickly stake out an area under the leaf and build a bubblenest.

You can also leave the leaf in there until it completely breaks down or remove it once it goes soft. It all really depends on what you prefer.

 

Thank you, LittleBettaFish. Right now I am using my desk light and Rusty's tank is in the dark. He is sleeping in his little hiding spot; so I don't want to be a bad betta Dad by waking him up. I will let everyone know how he reacts to the IAL. Good night.

 

A note, though. It depends on how big your tank is when it comes to putting in the dry leaves. I personally use about 5cm x 5cm of the whole dry leaf for an 0.5 gallon tank. In addition, only leave it there for about 3 days and you will have to remove the leave from the tank. Otherwise, it will start to release bad properties that will do harm to your betta.

Oh, don't worry about your betta. They will be able to tell if it is a food or not.

 

I bought IAL at a betta shop Here: http://www.mnbettashop.com/ Very nice people! And they also told me to remove the leaves after 3 to 4 days or they will rot in the tank. Maybe it depends on the size of the tanks? I remove mine about a week or so. Once I see the leaves fold and change to a darker color I change them out. I don't wanna take any chances.

 

I can't find information anywhere that IAL start releasing toxins after three days. Can you provide your source? I have left them in my aquariums for two to three weeks with no ill-effects. Thanks.

In the meantime:

http://www.indianalmondleaves.com/aquariums.php

 

Hey Russell,

Maybe I should have said it has been my practice to keep dry IAL in my tank for a few days max. There was once I kept it for more than a week and the water started to be a bit thick. When I called up my friend (who owns an aqua store) for advice, he told me that I needed an immediate water change and I shouldn't have left the IAL in the tank for long. I then consulted another aqua store owner and he told me the same thing. They both added that it will do harm to the bettas in the long run.

 

Well I have to disagree with what they told you. I havle handfuls of IALs in my wild betta tanks and I know that many other wild betta keepers do the same thing. I used to have a leaf layer a couple inches thick made up of IAL and oak leaves and I have never seen any ill-effects from their use or even heard about toxins being released if the leaves are left in too long.

I believe the only possible harmful effect is if your water has a low KH value and the tannins released by the leaves cause a sudden drop in pH. Otherwise nearly every betta owner I know espouses the use of IALs in betta tanks.

 

Okay guys!

 

Thank you everyone for your advice. I will just have to see how Rusty reacts to them and how the leaves change their color. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.