Documenting Nature Through Aquariums
A global contest celebrating scientifically accurate freshwater biotope aquariums
BIOTOPE AQUARIUM Project (BAP) & Contest (BAC)
Explore and Document Nature Through Aquariums
The BIOTOPE AQUARIUM Project (BAP) is a unique online platform dedicated to:
Through the BIOTOPE AQUARIUM Contest (BAC), BAP invites the global aquarium community to engage in biotope science and contribute to the understanding and conservation of aquatic ecosystems.
Why Participate?
The BAC is more than a contest – it is a collaborative platform for aquarists and scientists to document, monitor, and study aquatic habitats. Participants contribute valuable data on:
- Habitat conditions and species composition
- Water quality and ecosystem health
- Threats from invasive alien species
By replicating natural habitats in aquariums, participants help:
- Increase public awareness of aquatic biodiversity
- Support biotope mapping efforts worldwide
- Promote responsible and ecologically-informed aquarium practices
Validated entries are shared on the BAP-Map, providing free access to nature lovers, aquarists, and researchers alike.
Get Ready for the Next BAC!
- Pre-registration: April 20
- Registration opens: May 20
We invite all hobbyists passionate about creating authentic biotope environments to take part in the contest. Our goal is to bring the aquarium hobby closer to nature, encouraging participants to faithfully replicate real habitats in their tanks.
We challenge YOU to take part in the BIOTOPE AQUARIUM Contest!
BAC2020–2025 – Participations per Biotope Country
| # | Country | BAC2020 | BAC2021 | BAC2022 | BAC2023 | BAC2024 | BAC2025 | Total 2020‑2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 5 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 32 |
| 2 | Indonesia | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 23 |
| 3 | India | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 19 |
| 4 | USA | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 17 |
| 5 | China | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 15 |
| 6 | Mexico | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| 7 | Vietnam | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| 8 | Cameroon | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 9 | Tanzania | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| 10 | Peru | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| 11 | Zambia | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 12 | Myanmar | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 13 | Costa Rica | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 14 | Colombia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 15 | Nigeria | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 16 | Venezuela | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 17 | Argentina | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 18 | Australia | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 19 | Malaysia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 20 | Panama | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 21 | Ukraine | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 22 | Canada | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 23 | D. R. Congo | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 24 | Guatemala | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 25 | Honduras | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 26 | Italy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 27 | Spain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 28 | Sweden | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 29 | Turkey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 30 | Papua New Guinea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 31 | Taiwan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 32 | Hong Kong | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 33 | Bolivia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 34 | Czech Republic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 35 | France Polynesia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 36 | Poland | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 37 | Romania | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 38 | Sierra Leone | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 39 | Sri Lanka | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 40 | Denmark | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 41 | Hungary | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 42 | South Korea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 43 | Malawi | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 44 | Greece | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 45 | Mozambique | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 46 | Guinea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total per year | | 41 | 33 | 36 | 36 | 43 | 51 | =245 |
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