bam Demanding level

Patuca River, Honduras

Sponsored by
Educated by Nature

Honduras, Central America, Raití

In this aquarium, we have simulated a corner where tree trunks and roots have fallen. Among them, some fish find the perfect refuge in the Patuca River where they are able to reproduce and protect themselves from predators. We find some slightly tinted waters with a lot of decomposing organic matter. In this system, fish can fulfill their three vital functions, relationship, nutrition and reproduction.

Submitted by
Nicolás Luchoro
Approved by
Juan M. Artigas Azas & Jairo Arroyave
GPS
14.9531298, -84.9470825
Geographical region
Central America
Drainage Basin
Patuca River
River catchment
Curso Medio
Water body type
Rio
Water body name
Rio Patuca
Water body part
Marsh land
Water body course
Middle course
Water body: tributary of
Rio
Tributary name
Rio Patuca

Videos above and below water

Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type
Fresh water
Water color
Mixed water
Water transparency
Medium
Concentration of sediments
High
Water temperature
26 °C
Water flow/curent
Slow

Chemical parameters

pH
7.5
Conductivity
256
GH
5 mg/l
KH
1 mg/l
Dissolved Oxygen
60 %

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date
20/12/2020
Aquarium decoration

The aquarium is made up of several types of wood, creating a shore. It has some stones rounded by water erosion and the sand is a mixture of different sizes of granulometry. In addition, natural botanicals are used to help the fish find shelters.

Aquarium equipment

There is a lighting from the Sera brand led 100w and led spotlights to simulate the sun’s rays, the filter is a 100-liter sum with 2000 liters hour of rise pump and a 300w jager heater

Fish care

The fish are fed dry food twice a day, and once a day with anchovies and other fresh foods.

Fish:

  • 8 Amatitlania nigrofasciata
  • 5 Parachromis managuensis
  • 20 Astyanax fasciatus

Important: I followed the advice of Heiko Bleher who suggested placing all species in the aquarium at the same time to avoid predating each other. This tactic really works!

I must admit, that the next introduction of the additional species was not successful, because the cichlids already established in the aquarium preyed on the newcomers.

Plant care
Water care

50% of water change once a week in order to control the parameters correctly. Filter cleaning every 15 days. The leaves and other botanicals are also replenished when they wear out.

Dimensions

Length
180 cm
Depth
50 cm
High
60 cm
Volume
550 L

Substrate in aquarium

Sand
Beige
Pebble/Gravel
Beige
Stone
Beige
Stone form
Roundish
Silt/Mud
Beige
Leaves
Few
Driftwood
Many
Submerged terrestrial vegetation
Yes

Bibliography

Sitography

→ www.miambiente.gob.hn

Comment by the expert

Juan M. Artigas Azas: The aquarium is improperly illuminated, too dark. It is completely unsustainable since the Parachromis will soon eat the Astyanax and later on the convict cichlid.

Jairo Arroyave: Research on thee BIN is very basic and without depth; there is virtually no information about the biodiversity of this particular biotope, nor is there photos or videos of the underwater habitat in nature. This is unfortunate because this makes it challenging to assess visually the comformity of the BIN with the BAM.