Product Description: Strawberry Guava Leaves (Psidium cattleianum) are a small and beautiful addition to botanical method aquariums and bioactive enclosures. Known for their smooth, glossy leaves, these botanicals help build a more dynamic leaf litter bed while also providing functional benefits to the botanical method aquarium or vivarium ecosystem.

The Strawberry Guava tree, native to Brazil’s Amazon Basin, is an evergreen species in the Myrtaceae family. It thrives in tropical rainforests and mesic environments up to 1300 meters in elevation. This highly adaptable species has become naturalized in tropical regions worldwide, often praised for its ornamental appeal and sweet, edible fruits. The leaves of this tree, with their elliptical shape and rich green tones, are harvested sustainably to ensure quality and environmental responsibility.

In botanical method aquariums, Strawberry Guava leaves release medium levels of yellow tannins - just like their cousin the Psidium guajava, gently tinting the water while supporting biofilm growth. These biofilms provide grazing surfaces for shrimp, snails, other detritivores and raspoing fishes, promoting a balanced ecosystem. Their structure also serves as a substrate for microbial colonization, enhancing nutrient cycling within your aquarium.

In bioactive enclosures, the leaves break down gradually, offering a long-term food source for isopods, springtails, and other clean-up crew members. Their durable structure creates hiding spaces and foraging grounds for reptiles, amphibians, and small invertebrates..

Not for Human Consumption. Preparation Required. 

Quantities: 25 Psidium cattleianum Leaves. Sizes range. This is a natural product, and variation between leaves and botanicals is expected.

Aquarium Botanical Location: USA.

Aquarium Botanical FAQs 

1. Please reference our Shipping and Hassle-Free Return Policy at the bottom of the screen. All Products are packaged inside sustainably sourced and renewable sugar cane fibers allowing them to be fully biodegradable and compostable. Yes, you can bury these bags in your backyard to enrich your soils. 
2. Please refer to our botanical preparation instructions. These Botanicals are grown and harvested in pesticide-free environments and it is recommended to use 2-3 botanical pieces per 5 gallons to start, wait 5-7 days, or for the next water exchange to then add more.
3. Our aquarium and vivarium botanicals, leaves, and seed pods are not for human consumption, ever.
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Commonly Asked Questions:

 

1) Will Botanicals Lower The pH Of My Water?

It entirely depends on your water's chemistry. Soft water will allow the botanicals to lower your pH more than if you have medium or hard water. At Betta Botanicals HQ our tap water is Very Hard, ( 350+ppm) and we do not notice a change in water pH unless using Alder Cones or Macaranga Leaves.

2) What Are The Fluffy White Growth On My Botanicals?

White growths are the colonization of biofilms and fungi. We call this the 'goo phase' and it is totally natural. Botanicals are fuel for the ecosystem and the populations of bacteria and fungi will naturally rise and fall. 

3) I Don't Keep Bettas. Will These Botanicals Be Okay For My Critters?

100% yes. Our botanicals are for aquariums, terrariums, vivariums, and all natural enclosures wishing to recreate a more natural environment.

4) I Have Goldfish and Axolotls, What Botanicals Should I Avoid?

We DO NOT recommend using botanicals that these fish can ingest. Botanicals like casuarina cones, small alder cones, and live oak are not suited for these animals. Large aquarium leaves like Indian almond, loquat, and jackfruit leaf litter are preferred. 

5) When Should I Replace My Aquarium Leaves?

We recommend letting aquarium leaves and seed pods entirely break down into beneficial detritus. You can absolutely remove them after they don’t release tannins anymore, you just won't get all potential benefits of leaving them in the ecosystem.