Unnamed forest stream in south Sarawak, Borneo

Aquarium information

Aquarium description

Set-up date

September, 2022

Aquarium decoration

The tank mimics a slow moving forest stream, so I used large roots at the front of the tank and smaller ones at the back with black foil in the background. I have left the barks on the roots and have hung common fern leaves in the water for a more natural effect and these mimic the depth of the harsh landscape.

The soil is boiled peat with small roots and branches. As this habitat is a forest stream, I used cattapa and fern leaves on the ground, these things are a good hiding place for all fish. The microorganisms that multiply on them are a good food source for fish. All aquarium furnishings have been heat treated for fish safety. I have used only one underwater plant species, this is Cryptocoryne ciliata because it is the most common species in Sarawak.

Aquarium equipment

• Lighting: 2×0,95 meters IP65 6.500 KELVIN led modul 3db led 12V, 1,5W + Aquael leddy smart 2 plant 6w.
• Heating: none.
• Filtering: DIY side shelf filter (separeted the aquarium 10x40x35 cm) with tm20 and 30 foam, 250l/h powerhead.

Fish care

I think the aquarium recreates the ideal habitat for:

• Sphaerichthys osphromenoides (Osphronemidae)
• Betta foerschi (Osphronemidae)
• Parosphromenus bintan (Osphronemidae)
• Pangio semicincta (Cobitidae)
• Sundadanio axelrodi (Sundadanionidae)

The waterparameters are in optimal range with help of the peat and leaves. The water is shallow and dark, pH is low and the flow rate is slow. The fern leaves above the water shade. All of these thing increase the fishes comfort.

The aquarium decorations visually break up the place for the fish peace so none male Betta foerschi disturbs the other territory. I feed the fishes some frozen food (bloodworm, brine schrimp) and I breed or collect live food for them (blackworm, mosquito larve, daphnia, enchytraeus).

Plant care

The aquatic plants found in aquarium

• Cryptocoryne ciliata (Araceae)
• Lemna minor (Araceae)
• Salvinia cucullata (Salviniaceae)

These plants haven’t any special needs. The light is enough for the plants growing. I planted Cryptocoryne in a box with sand 6-7 cm and garden soil substrate 1-2cm. I don’t use any fertilizer.

Water care

I chang 50% water every two week with rainwater that I prefilter with active coal and cottonwool. I check the filter media every week and, if neccesery, I clean it. I treated the sand in Cryptocoryne with hydrochloric acid so that the calcium is in it doesn’t influence the pH value and hardness.

Dimensions

Length

95 cm

Depth

40 cm

High

35 cm

Volume

133 L