bam Demanding level

Marshland near of Pattaya, Thailand

Thailand, Chonburi, Pattaya

A water runoff from the city creates a lush marshland full of mosquitoes and food which provides plenty of food for fishes. The swamp I describe is rich floating plants, with no aquatic vegetation. Water is clear and full of plant debris. Unfortunately, this habitat was partially destroyed not long ago.

Submitted by: Juhász-Tóth Gábor
Approved by: Greg Martin & Peter Unmack

GPS: 12.9191904, 100.9251938

Geographical region: Southeastern Asia
Drainage Basin
River catchment
Water body type: Wetland
Water body name: Unnamed swamp near of Pattaya
Water body part: Marsh land
Water body course
Water body: tributary of
Tributary name

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: 24-26 °C
Water flow/curent

Chemical parameters

pH: 6.70
Conductivity: 142
GH: 5.00 mg/l
KH
Dissolved Oxygen

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date

April, 2021

Aquarium decoration

The base of the substrate is fine sand, with several layers of leaves and small branches and roots. From the roots I made an area of land, where I hid the equipment necessary for operation. Boiled peat potting soil and some fern Nephrolepis sp. and water spinach Ipomoea aquatica. This also helps to create a stable biological balance.

Underwater vegetation is not typical for the habitat I chose, so there are no aquatic plants. That’s why I use a lot of floating plants, which partially cover the surface, but some light can still penetrate underwater.

Aquarium equipment

Filter: Tetratec Ex400 plus (Tf matrix top, Tm30 sponge)
Light: Sobo AL-450P (8 hours + natural sunshine in the forenoon)
Heater: Diversa Thermo Plus 25w

Fish care

I tryed to design the aquarium for the needs of my fishes. I used a lot of floating plants to dim the light and allow them to hide among their roots. I don’t change the leaves and roots. When they break, I put new ones in the aquarium. This also creates a diverse environment. The leaves provide a hiding place and, due to their decomposition, food for the young. The water is very shallow and there is almost no current.

I feed my fish with live and frozen food (Artemia, cyclops, Daphnia, mosquito larva, Enchytraeus, Tubifex)

Fishes:

Trichopsis pumila (Osphronemidae)

Plant care

I don’t use any fertilizer – the dead root, leaves and mulm provide the necessary nutrients. I humidify the floating plants once a day.

Floating plants:

Salvinia natans (Salviniaceae)
Pontederia crassipes (Pontederiaceae)

Water care

I don’t change water, I replace the evaporation with RO water every week. The aquarium is full of floating plants and the plants of emers area are perfect to keep water parameters in a good range.