Nethravathi River, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

This set-up tank represents the Nethravathi River basin in Karnataka, part of the Western Ghats – one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots. The layout mimics the natural habitat using authentic rocks sourced from the basin itself, aiming to raise awareness of the region’s rich but threatened freshwater life.

Featured Species: Canara Pearlspot Cichlid Etroplus canarensis. Also known as the Roman Numeral Cichlid, this striking species displays unique body patterns resembling Roman numerals like “VX” or “XII”, which shift subtly with light and individual variation. Endemic to the Kumaradhara and Nethravathi river systems, these cichlids are critically endangered due to habitat loss and collection for the aquarium trade. They are elusive in the wild and highly valued by conservationists Tank size is 1.2m length 0.3m height and 0.3m width with water volume around 141L.