bam Very demanding level

Forest Stream, Mato Grosso do Sul, Coxim, Brazil

Brazil, Mato Grosso do Sul, Coxim

The videos shot by Tai Strietman in the state of Mato Grosso have always inspired me. Seeing a video of a habitat, where black neon tetras and my favorite Apistogramma trifasciata live together encouraged me to set-up a biotope. I created a small riparian biotope that flows into the Taquari river west of the town of Coxim. I’m looking at the Apistogramma trifasciata and the black neons Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi together.

Submitted by: Arif Hikmet Başeğmez
Approved by: Roberto E. Reis & Flávio Lima

GPS: -18.4822445, -54.7792587

Geographical region: South America
Drainage Basin: Paraguay river
River catchment: Taquari river
Water body type: Creek
Water body name: Rio Verde de Mato Grosso
Water body part: Rapids
Water body course: Headwaters
Water body: tributary of: Rio
Tributary name: Taquari

Videos above and below water

Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type: Fresh water
Water color: Black water
Water transparency: Medium
Concentration of sediments: Low
Water temperature: 27 °C
Water flow/curent: Slow

Chemical parameters

pH: 6.7
Conductivity: 180
GH: 5 mg/l
KH: 1 mg/l
Dissolved Oxygen

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date

February, 2022

Aquarium decoration

As I saw in the reference videos, I used fine light sand, dry leaves and bushes, tree roots collected from Nature on the ground. All materials are collected from Nature and are similar to biotope.

Tree roots and dry botanicals released into the water from the creek make up the theme. First, the roots in the ground were prepared, and then the horizontal roots were positioned from right to left. By adding dry bushes on these roots, naturalness was increased. Dry leaves and botanicals were added to the ground and sediment was formed.

Aquarium equipment

Filtering is provided by the Dophin cf-300 500/H system.
There are biological media, JBL active tormec peat and sponge in the filter.
Lighting is provided by 15w smd led.
Since the water temperature is 26-27°C, the heater is not used.

Fish care

I regularly feed my fish with live food and protein-focused quality dry food. Biofilms on the ground and on wood also form natural nutrients; especially for juvenile Apistogramma trifasciata. There is plenty of hiding space in the aquarium for the fry, so they are easily hidden from the attacks of the black neon tetras with the help of their parents.

Fishes:

Apistogramma trifasciata (Cichlidae)
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi (Characidae)

Plant care

I do not follow a special care routine for plants. They take the minerals that are missing with water changes.

Aquatic plants:

Eleocharis minima (Cyperaceae)
Hydrocharis laevigata (Hydrocharitaceae)

Water care

By measuring the toxic nitrogens (Nitrite/Nitrate) in the water, I keep the concentration levels under control. I do water changes when 10mg of nitrate is formed. I change the water with a 10-20% RO/tap water mix once a week or every other week. Filter maintenance is also carried out at regular intervals.