bam Advanced/Expert level

Flooded small forest stream, Ucayali River, Requena, Peru

Sponsored by

Peru, San José, Requena

I wanted to establish this aquarium dedicated to the destroyed habitats of Hoplisoma panda and neon tetras. Panda corydoras have been hit hard by overfishing in the wild. Neon tetras are relatively the same. I wanted to establish a special biotope and raise awareness for these species living in the Requena and Pucallpa regions of Peru.

The materials in the aquarium I created were collected entirely from nature and are compatible with the images of the reference region. When setting up this aquarium, I wanted to simulate a shallow flooded forest, using the image of mini ponds and streams formed after the flood as a reference. I did my best to make it look very natural and aesthetic.

Submitted by
Arif Hikmet Başeğmez
Approved by
Roberto E. Reis & Pablo C. Lehmann
GPS
-5.2086940, -73.8952255
Geographical region
South America
Drainage Basin
Rio Amazonas
River catchment
Río Ucayali
Water body type
Creek
Water body name
Forest stream
Water body part
Flood plain
Water body course
Lower course
Water body: tributary of
Rio
Tributary name
Ucayali

Videos above and below water


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Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type
fresh-water
Water color
Mixed water
Water transparency
Medium
Concentration of sediments
Low
Water temperature
26 °C
Water flow/curent
Slow

Chemical parameters

pH
6.7
Conductivity
41
GH
71.2 mg/l
dGH
KH
0
dKH
Dissolved Oxygen

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date
July, 2024
Aquarium decoration

I wanted to create a flooded forest stream theme, based on reference images and underwater videos I watched. For this, I used tree trunks of various diameters. To increase naturalness, I placed root and dry botanical elements in an asymmetrical balance at the base. I placed the tree trunks and decor according to the 3/1 Rule.

After adding live plants, the design was completed. All materials were selected to be completely natural, harmless and similar to the reference biotope.

Since the flooded meadows in the region are submerged together with the forest floor and usually Eleocharis sp. Since there are similar plants, I used Helanthium tenellum with thin leaves similar to them. It was difficult to find that plant in my city and country: so I had to use a similar plant. The region is not very rich in terms of aquatic flora.

Aquarium equipment

I used an Oase Filtosmart 60 filter and a 18 watt full spectrum spot led. I did not use a heater because the air temperatures were ideal. Aquaneo Bio Media and biological sponge, which have a very high surface area, were used in the filter.

Fish care

The fish are fed with feed that suits their diet and contains quality ingredients. The decoration and tank layout were designed to show their natural behavior and stay away from stress.

Fishlist:

  • Hoplisoma panda (Callichthydae)
  • Paracheirodon innesi (Characidae)
Plant care

I don’t do anything special for the plants. They are adequately nourished thanks to the nitrogenous compounds and minerals in the water.

Aquatic plants:

  • Helanthium tenellum (Alismataceae)
  • Pistia stratiotes (Araceae)
Water care

In order to keep the water column healthy, I measure water parameters at regular intervals and intervene in the tank accordingly. I do water changes before the nitrogenous compound load reaches the toxicity level. Plants generally do not increase nitrogen load and therefore nitrate levels are below 10mg. This is a very good value for fish and plants.

Dimensions

Length
50 cm
Depth
40 cm
High
40 cm
Volume
80 L

Substrate in aquarium

Sand
White
Pebble/Gravel
None
Stone
None
Stone form
Silt/Mud
Leaves
Many
Driftwood
Many
Submerged terrestrial vegetation
Yes