Hello again, Dorothee. 🙂
I have no problem acquiring inexpensive catappa leaves, which I buy here all the time. There are different brands.
I was just curious to know whether anyone had tried the rolled-up catappa bark. It looks like it would make good hiding places for the paros. If no one else has tried these, I will be the pioneer here and buy a package. I will report back whether it is a success or not!
It is very interesting that on this site (at the left, under “The Aquarium” and then food), it states that “red mosquito larvae and tubifex should be avoided, because they can carry diseases”.
I know about tubifex. But here in Holland, they sell live red and white mosquito larvae, but black mosquito larvae is only sold frozen because live ones can carry diseases.
AHA! Now I understand the conflict about the mosquitoes and disease.
I’ve been able to find out through Google that the full grown mosquitoes from white larvae and also from red larvae don’t bite, the black ones bite and can theoretically carry disease to warm-blooded humans and animals.
But now I understand the warning on this site. The red larvae thrive in polluted water (just like tubifex)and therefore can make our fish sick.
Mystery solved!
Cheers,
Jonette