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Bayou Lafourche Southern Louisiana United States

United States, Louisiana, Lafourche

Bayou Lafourche has always been murky and mysterious. This 208L glass aquarium is a small cross section of what lies under the calm waters. Everything inside the tank was collected from the bayou. There are no lights, heaters, or filters connected to this beautiful aquarium. Only a small pump provides surface agitation. The floating plants provide all the filtration and cover the fish need.

Submitted by: Jesse Domangue
Approved by: Lawrence Kent, Fritz Rohde & John T. Baxter

GPS: 29.7292690, -90.6009674

Geographical region: Northern America
Drainage Basin: Barataria Basin
River catchment: Mississippi River
Water body type: Channel
Water body name: Bayou Lafourche
Water body part: Outflow
Water body course: Lower course
Water body: tributary of: Stream
Tributary name: Bayou Blue

Videos above and below water

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Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type: fresh-water
Water color: Clear water
Water transparency: High
Concentration of sediments: Low
Water temperature: 25 °C
Water flow/curent: None

Chemical parameters

pH: 7.5
Conductivity
GH
dGH
KH
dKH
Dissolved Oxygen

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date: March, 2025
Aquarium decoration: Branches and driftwood were taken from the bayou as well as the muddy substrate. Empty apple snail shells and dead oak leaves line the bottom. The floating plants and fish all taken from the bayou. The alligator skull was provided by “ Alligator Hunt LA” but there are many alligators that swim in the bayou. Items were placed in the aquarium randomly to mimic nature.
Aquarium equipment: Small intex pool filter was used to oxygenate the water. A pixie 30 led light was used only at night to take pictures. No other equipment was used.
Fish care: The mosquito fish thrive in shallow water close to the bank. Floating water lettuce and hyacinths were provided for cover. The juvenile bluegill hides in the root systems. Bug Bites fish food was used the feed the tank but the wild bluegill refused to eat flakes so earth worms were provided.
Plant care: No action was taken other than pulling out the over growth. The plants were in full sun most of the day.
Water care: Cleaned algae growing on front glass and added clean water when needed from evaporation. Plants filter out fish waste very well.

Dimensions

Length: 122 cm
Depth: 33 cm
High: 53 cm
Volume: 208 L

Substrate in aquarium

Sand
Pebble/Gravel
Stone
Stone form
Silt/Mud: Beige
Leaves: Few
Driftwood: Few
Submerged terrestrial vegetation: None

Comment by the expert

Lawrence Kent: Excellent. Although the fish species are extremely common, the number and activity of the gambusia are good. The sunfish will evenually grow too big and aggressive. Alligator skull is a special feature, certain to get attention.

Fritz Rohde: The biotope was pleasing to the eye but I was disappointed in the low diversity of fishes. There should have been more – killifishes. Fish, even mosquitofish were skittish so all you saw were the plants and driftwood/alligator skull. I was impressed that he only uses natural light and low filtration.

John T. Baxter: Enjoyed the gator skull. Good description of plants and animals likely found in nature. Invasive species are truly a problem in so many places.