bam

Arroyo Tenixtepec, Papantla Veracruz, Mexico

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Making Species Specific Diets for Decades!

Mexico, Veracruz, Papantla

Sponsored by Acurio Planeta Azul.

In this biotope aquarium decorated by Guillermo Valadez we can find a Central American cichlid with very attractive colors that is Vieja fenestrata, as well as Eleotris pisonis very little seen in the aquarium.
Submitted by
Guillermo Valadez Mendez
Approved by
Juan Miguel Artigas Azas & Jairo Arroyave
GPS
20.5789509, -97.1730042
Geographical region
Central America
Drainage Basin
Tenixtepec
River catchment
Rio Tenixtepec
Water body type
Stream
Water body name
Nameless affluent
Water body part
Channel
Water body course
Lower course
Water body: tributary of
Stream
Tributary name
Rio Tenixtepc

Videos above and below water

Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type
Fresh water
Water color
Clear water
Water transparency
Medium
Concentration of sediments
High
Water temperature
27 °C
Water flow/curent
Slow

Chemical parameters

pH
8.0
Conductivity
GH
143 mg/l
KH
165 mg/l
Dissolved Oxygen
76.08 %

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date
July 2020
Aquarium decoration

This aquarium is setup for of 3 Vieja fenestrata, 6 Poecilia mexicana, 10 Astyanax mexicanus and Eleotris pisonis, as well as containing the two main aquatic plants that are Cabomba palaeformis and Ceratophyllum demersum. Some leaves on the beige substrate, the rocks and the trunks with calcareous sediments.

Aquarium equipment

Sunny 600 cascade filter with sponge filtering loads and cannulas.
The light it has is based on led.

Fish care

The fish that live in the biotope need shelters and abundant vegetation which was placed in the aquarium for a better condition for the fish.

Fishes:

  • Vieja fenestrata 3
  • Poecilia mexicana 6
  • Astyanax mexicanus 10
  • Gobiomorus dormitor 1
Plant care

The two plants Cabomba palaeformis and Ceratophyllum demersum with their dense foliage provide refuges for the fish that live there, especially the fingerlings of the Poecilidae.

Plants:

  • Cabomba palaeformis 20
  • Ceratophyllum demersum 3
Water care

Regarding the temperature and pH, I do not have much problem in controlling since in the area the water is alkaline and hard, the same in terms of temperature I am in a hot area.

Dimensions

Length
115 cm
Depth
30 cm
High
40 cm
Volume
138 L

Substrate in aquarium

Sand
Pebble/Gravel
Beige
Stone
Beige
Stone form
Roundish
Silt/Mud
Leaves
Many
Driftwood
Few
Submerged terrestrial vegetation
No

Bibliography

  • Flora de Veracruz, 1984 by Haynes, R.R
  • Sistematica de la Familia Pontederiaceae en Mexico, 1996 by Novelo, R.A.

Sitography

→ Biodiversidad: Peces dulce acuicolas de Mexico, biodiversidad mexicana
→ FishBase

Comment by the expert

Juan Miguel Artigas Azas: The aquarium is very appealing and as close to nature as it could be, really beautifully made. There is however not a very detail description on how to replicate it. It is beautifully made. Nonetheless, the main problem I see with this aquarium is that it is not sustainable, since the aquarium is very small for the chosen balance of species. Vieja fenestrata (an exotic in the river) will soon outgrow the aquarium and in a very short time eat all the vegetation. The one Gobiomorus dormitor will definitely eat the Astyanax mexicanus and Poecilia mexicana. In my opinion a much substainable selection of species for this beautiful aquarium would have been Poecilia mexicana and Xiphophorus variatus, with one selection of the crustaceans inhabiting the river.

Jairo Arroyave: BAM is a very good representation of the BIN, including approximately half of the fish diversity in nature, and a number of plant species. Biotic and and abiotic elements coexist in a balanced fashion. Information offered to recreate the BAM appears adequate and sufficient.