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BIOTOPE AQUARIA -- Updated June.01.2004
A biotope aquaria is an aquarium that is set-up to simulate a natural habitat. The fish, plants, water chemistry, and furnishings are similar to those that can be found in a specific natural setting. (more)
Always check compatibility! Some species from a particular habitat are not suitable tankmates. For example, the Peacock Bass will eat small tetras since they are their natural food in the wild.
The biotope aquarium can be adapted by adding species from disparate areas that have similar water requirements.
Mongabay.com is the sole effort of Rhett A. Butler, who has taken the photos and written all of the content found on the site. If you find mongabay.com a useful resource I hope that you may consider making a contribution to help support the site. You can also assist by purchasing biotope books using links on this page.
[Photos from various habitats/biotopes]
Freshwater fish species listed by country and ecosystem -- excellent resources for constructing biotope aquaria.
I highly recommend taking a look at Natural Biotopes For Xenopus Species which includes pictures of African freshwater habitats, Commercially available plant species for African Biotopes, and Suggestions for biotope tanks.
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African River Rapids
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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
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West or Central African River
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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.
Congo Biotope Tank
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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].
`'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``
Other Biotope Resources
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Recent news
Using fish as livestock feed threatens global fisheries
(11/18/2009)
Fish doesn't just feed humans. Millions of tons of fish are fed every year to chickens, pigs, and even farmed fish even in the midst of rising concerns over fish stocks collapses around the world. Finding an alternative to fish as livestock feed would go a long way toward preventing the collapse of fish populations worldwide according to a new paper in Oryx.
ICCAT fails to protect critically endangered tuna—again
(11/15/2009)
The International Commissions for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) ignored the advice of its scientists to end fishing of the Atlantic bluefin tuna. Instead ICAAT set a quota of 13,500 tons of fish. This is not the first time ICCAT has flouted its own researchers' advice: it has repeatedly set quotas well-above its researchers' recommendations.
Governments, public failing to save world's species
(11/04/2009)
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) 2008 report, released yesterday, 36 percent of the total species evaluated by the organization are threatened with extinction. If one adds the species classified as Near Threatened, the percentage jumps to 44 percent—nearly half.
Atlantic bluefin tuna should be banned internationally: ICCAT scientists
(10/29/2009)
Scientists with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) have said in a new report that a global ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing is justified. ICCAT meets in November to decide if they will follow their scientist's recommendations.
The Yangtze River may have lost another inhabitant: the Chinese paddlefish
(10/22/2009)
In December of 2006 it was announced that the Yangtze River dolphin, commonly known as the baiji, had succumbed to extinction. The dolphin had survived on earth for 20 million years, but the species couldn't survive the combined onslaught of pollution, habitat loss, boat traffic, entanglement in fishing hooks, death from illegal electric fishing, and the construction of several massive dams. Now, another flagship species of the Yangtze River appears to have vanished.
Freshwater species worse off than land or marine
(10/15/2009)
Scientists have announced that freshwater species are likely the most threatened on earth. Extinction rates for freshwater inhabitants are currently four to six times the rates for terrestrial and marine species. Yet, these figures have not lead to action on the ground.
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