Aquarium Volume: 160 L
Fish and invertebrates: Corydoras adolfoi, Paracheirodon axelrodi
Plants list: None
Biotope description: The aquarium was set up based on the biotope of the Rio Negro basin and more specifically, the Alto Rio Negro region, where corydoras adolfoi are found to be endemic. The main characteristic of the water in the region is its rich dark color, which can vary from yellow, to orange, to brown(depending on the season and locality). This is caused by the high volume of humic acids and tannins, leached continuously into the water by the surrounding vegetation, and decomposing organic matter. As a result, the water has almost zero carbonate hardness and very low ph, typically 4-6 depending on the season. As such, the water in this tank is maintained at those levels. The wide range of soil types found in the region-the main ones being Oxisols and Spodosols- also plays a major part to the color and acidity of the water. I tried to represent an area of flooded forest as I imagined it, with submerged logs and branches, as well as dead leaf litter and turf. The other species present in the tank (Cardinal tetra) is a type of fish that is found throughout the Rio Negro river and its tributaries and is known for occurring alongside hundreds of other species.