The substrate of this biotope aquarium was selected to replicate the sandy riverbed of the natural habitat. Tree trunks, fallen leaves, and branches were collected from the riverbank, while mud surrounding the plant roots was retained to protect the root systems, enhance substrate fertility, and introduce beneficial microorganisms. All hardscape materials were carefully selected to reflect the conditions observed in the natural environment.
Fish:
Amphibian:
Mollusc:
Wetland plants:
Aquatic plants:
Feeding: Fish are fed every 1–2 days.
Aquatic plants are trimmed when excessive growth occurs to maintain a balanced aquarium environment.
A 20% water change is performed weekly to maintain stable water quality.
Wei-Cheng Jhuang: This is a very attractive and thoughtfully constructed biotope aquarium. I particularly appreciate the use of natural materials collected from the original habitat, as well as the attempt to retain material around the plant roots to support their establishment and introduce microorganisms into the aquarium. These details demonstrate good attention to the ecological aspects of the biotope rather than focusing solely on its visual appearance.
However, some scientific names should be updated. Macropodus chinensis should be revised to M. ocellatus, and the medaka from Shandong should be identified as Oryzias sinensis rather than O. latipes. I also noticed a considerable difference in conductivity between the natural habitat (980) and the aquarium (180). It would be helpful to clarify the reason for this difference and specify the units of measurement.
The photos appear to have been taken at different stages of the aquarium’s development, as noticeable differences can be seen in plant growth. In one photo, a considerable amount of filamentous algae can be seen growing on the wood. Since filamentous algae can spread rapidly under favourable conditions, I would be interested to know how their growth is managed to prevent excessive coverage or competition with other aquatic plants.
In addition, the aquarium description is somewhat brief. Although some basic equipment and routine water changes are mentioned, relatively little information is provided about the filtration system, equipment setup, and overall maintenance. In particular, since mud from the natural habitat was retained around the plant roots, it would be useful to explain how the substrate is managed over the long term to prevent excessive organic accumulation and maintain stable substrate and water conditions. More detailed information on these aspects would provide a clearer understanding of the long-term management and ecological stability of the aquarium.
Overall, this is a well-executed biotope with strong attention to natural habitat representation and ecological details. Greater taxonomic precision, together with more detailed documentation of the aquarium’s equipment and long-term maintenance, would further strengthen the entry.
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