Lake Tanganyika Madagascar Biotope 08/18/04 Lake Malawi West or Central African River 06/21/04 Southern African Swamp
Thai Creek Southeast Asian Blackwater Pool Southeast Asian Mangrove Estuary Indian/Burmese River
Central American Fast-Moving Stream 04/11/04 Central American Mangrove Estuary 04/16/04 Central American Livebearer Habitat 04/12/04 Central American Rocky Lake Central American River 04/21/04
South American Clearwater Stream South American Blackwater Creek 06/21/04 South American Blackwater Stream 06/21/04 Amazon stream biotope aquarium, a freshwater habitat in Peru 11/25/05 Amazon oxbow lake biotope aquarium, a freshwater habitat in Peru 11/25/05 Exploring freshwater fish habitats in the rainforest of Peru 11/27/05 Be sure not to miss links to other biotope resources and sites. ++++++++++++++++++ African River Rapids ++++++++++++++++++ The Zaire (Congo) River is the second largest river system in terms of volume. This mighty river drains much of West and Central Africa. Along its 2800 miles, the Zaire River moves through many environments including over 200 miles of rapids and cataracts. This rapid region is the inspiration for this biotope aquarium, although similar environments exist in other African rivers. ECOSYSTEMS: Congo_Zaire, Agnebi, Bandama River, Benue River, Bia River, Buba River, Casamance River, Cross River, Gambia River, Kariba, Little Scarcies, Niger River, Ogun River, Rokel, Saint John, Saint Paul, Saloum, Senegal River, Volta, Weme, Comoé River, Corubal River, Ebrie, Fatala, Geba, Kainji Lake, Kogon, Kolente, Konkoure, Loffa, Mano, Mao, Mono River, Nipoue, Pra, Sassandra, Sewa, Tano WATER: pH: 7.0-7.5, 6-10 dH, 77-81 F (25-27 C) TANK: The water in this habitat is highly oxygenated due to the turbulence created by the rapids -- therefore the water in the aquarium should be well-aerated. Leave plenty of open swimming area, but use some large rocks. The substrate should be fine gravel or sand. To create water current, place a spray bar from a canister filter, or a strong circulating pump at one end of the aquarium. PLANTS: Because of the strong water current, the rapids are not a hospitable place for plants. In the aquarium, plants can be used if they well anchored or protected from the current. Plants suitable for such an environment include the African Water Fern (Bolbitis heudeloti) and Anubias species. FISH: Eutropiellus, Distichodus, Synodontis, Steatocranus, Teleogramma, Lamprologus +++++++++++++++++++++++++ West or Central African River +++++++++++++++++++++++++ West and Central Africa are full of rivers. Some of the better known are the Zaire (Congo), Ubanghi, Niger, and the Gambia. Within each of these river systems are numerous biotopes -- this description will focus on species found in slow-moving sections and side streams. ECOSYSTEMS: Congo_Zaire, Agnebi, Bandama River, Benue River, Bia River, Buba River, Casamance River, Cross River, Gambia River, Kariba, Little Scarcies, Niger River, Ogun River, Rokel, Saint John, Saint Paul, Saloum, Senegal River, Volta, Weme, Comoé River, Corubal River, Ebrie, Fatala, Geba, Kainji Lake, Kogon, Kolente, Konkoure, Loffa, Mano, Mao, Mono River, Nipoue, Pra, Sassandra, Sewa, Tano WATER: pH 6.9-7.2, 3-8 dH, 75-81 F (24-27 C) TANK: The tank should be furnished with wood for hiding places, and fine gravel or sand for a substrate. The lighting should be muted, and the water should have a slight current. PLANTS: African Water Fern, Anubias, Vallisneria, Eleocharis. FISH: African tetras, Mormyrids, African Knifefish, African Butterfly fish, Synodontis, Hemichromis, Pelvicachromis, Tilapia PHOTOS: This picture was taken in Madagascar but is similar to habitats in West Africa, albeit with cooler temperatures [Mandraka, Madagascar, Mandraka, Madagascar]. ++++++++++++++++++++ Southeast Asian River ++++++++++++++++++++ Much of Southeast Asia is rainforest and the location for a number of large rivers. This biotope aquarium simulates a smaller tributary. ECOSYSTEMS: Amudar'ya, Chao Praya River, Irrawaddy, Mekong River, Salween WATER: pH 6.0-6.5, 2-8 dH, 79-84 F (26-29 C) TANK: The tank should be thickly planted with plenty of hiding places among wood and plants. Use fine gravel or sand as a substrate. PLANTS: Crinum, Ceratopteris, Hygrophila, Cryptocoryne, Nymphaea FISH: Loaches, Barbs, Danios, Cyprind sharks (Red-tail, Bala, etc.), Pangasius catfish [suitable only for very large tanks], small Asian catfish, Knifefish PHOTOS: White Water River: Borneo White Water River, Borneo, Borneo, Borneo, Borneo, Borneo, Whitewater creek: Borneo creek ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Southeast Asian Blackwater Pool ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Creeks and streams originating from deep in the rainforest are often blackwater. With decaying plant vegetation and few, if any, mineral sources, the water is acidic and very soft. This environment provides a home to many species of plants and fish. WATER: pH 5.5-6.5, 0-4 dH, 81-84 F (27-29 C) TANK: The tank should be densely planted with a fine gravel or clay substrate. Use wood to create hiding places and use peat filtration. There should be little surface current. PLANTS: Cryptocoryne, Nymphaea, Eleocharis FISH: Gouramis, Bettas, Rasboras, Loaches, Glass Catfish, Cyprind sharks, Flying Fox PHOTOS: Blackwater creek: Borneo creek, Borneo creek Clearwater forest pool Borneo +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Southeast Asian Mangrove Estuary +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Mangrove swamps are found through the world where freshwater rivers come in contact with the ocean. The result is a tidal region with varying salinity and water conditions. The tides affect some of the types of fish present in the estuary, although fish termed ñbrackish water species" remain no matter the condition. WATER: pH 7.2-8.0, 10-20 dH, 75-82 F (24-28 C), 1.006-1.015 specific gravity. TANK: The tank should have a coral sand substrate. Use wood and roots to recreate the mangrove roots of the swamp. Use an efficient filtering system, because brackish water fish are heavy eaters, yet sensitive to water pollutants. One popular brackish-water set-up is to leave the tank only half full with water. A sandy beach is constructed and potted mangrove seedlings grow above the water surface. Such a set-up allows an aquariast to observe unusual behavior from brackish species such as Mudskippers and Archerfish. PLANTS: Few plants can tolerate brackish conditions besides the mangrove. Java Fern appears to be one of the only aquarium plants suitable for a brackish water tank. Mangrove seedling can be kept in pots as long as the bulk of the plant is out of the water. The Mangrove will require frequent pruning to keep it small enough for the aquarium. FISH: Mudskippers, Archerfish, Scats, Monos, Tiger fish, Puffers, Gobies, Glassfish, Halfbeaks, Arius catfish, and Celebes Rainbowfish. PHOTOS: Similar habitat in Australia (Mangrove estuary) ++++++++++++++++++++ Indian/Burmese River ++++++++++++++++++++ Despite India's tremendous population, there are still habitats for tropical fish species. Neighboring Burma (Myanmar) shares many of India's interesting species. ECOSYSTEMS: Brahmaputra River, Cavally River, Ganges, Indus, Krishna River, Chilka Lake, Chittar River, Godavari, Irrawaddy WATER: pH: 7.0-7.7, 6-12 dH, 70-75 F (21-24 C) TANK: The tank should have bright lighting, fine gravel or sand, and heavy planting. Rocks can be used for shelter and hiding places. PLANTS: Rotala, Ceratopteris, Aponogeton, Eleocharis, Blyxa FISH: Danios, Rosy Barbs, Colisa, Spiny eels, Climbing perches, Badis, Loaches, Gyrinocheilus, Chaca and Glass catfish. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ South American Clearwater Stream ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Clear or blue water streams are transparent rivers that drain the Guyana highlands and the Brazil rocky highlands. These rivers are fast-flowing at times, but slow-moving at others. The Rio Xingu and Rio Tocantins are typical clear water rivers. ECOSYSTEMS: Para-Tocantins WATER: pH 6.9-7.3, 5-12 dH, 75-82 F (24-28 C) TANK: The tank should have good filtration which keeps the water clear and creates a moderate current. The lighting should be bright and plant life should be rich. A substrate of fine gravel is suggested, as are a few pieces of wood. Aerate the tank well. PLANTS: Sword plants, Ceratophyllum, Cabomba, Lemma, Limnobium, Vallisneria FISH: Loricarids, Corydoras, Uaru, Mesonauta, Hyphessobrycon. These waters are preyed by the Peacock Bass. `'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'`` Other Biotope Resources
Eheim - Biotope profiles for 10 habitats NatureAquarium.it - For those who can read Italian Amazzonia - In Italian. Includes great pictures on how to set up a biotope tank Shane's World - Geography Articles - Biotope resources for Catfish Biotope Aquariums - Freshwater biotope and regional aquarium setups, water chemistry information, care instructions for featured fish and plants Badman's Tropical Fish - Biotope Aquariums - Biotope Aquarium Info Loaches Online - A River Runs Through It - Replicating fast flowing rivers and streams Loaches Online - A River Runs Through It - Replicating fast flowing rivers and streams for hillstream loaches Aqua Journal - The Making of Nature Aquarium Cichlid-Forum.com - The Great Lakes of East Africa Aqua Botanic - Archived biotope descriptions Aqua Botanic Biotope Forum Archives - Archived biotope forum All Wet Thumb Community [Aqua Botanic] - Rio Negro biotope thread including pictures Asian and African Biotopes[Aqua Botanic] - Asia & Africa Aqua Botanic - Tips on planted aquaria Aqua Botanic - Sri Lanka - Sri Lank biotope including pictures All Wet Thumb Community [Aqua Botanic] Biotope Forum - An excellent resource for information on biotope aquaria NBAT - In Dutch Tropica.com - Tropical Aquarium Plants Simply Discus - Amano's pics of some Blackwater habitats TheKrib.com - Biotope pages from TheKrib Giant Amazon Biotope Tank Old site
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