Fast-flowing mountain stream in Guangzhou province, south-eastern China
39th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2016
Russia. Varvara Kozmenko
Aquarium Volume: 70 L
Fish and invertebrates: Tanichthys albonubes
Plants list: None
Biotope description: This aquarium was designed to draw attention to endangered species of fish. People alter habitats for fish and other aquatic organisms, thereby destroying the species. Rapid mountain streams in the place where now stands the city Guanchzhou, were the original habitat of Tanichthys albonubes. At home, they were considered extinct but fortunately, a small number of them have been found in isolated areas of Guandong and on the island of Hanyang in China, as well as in the province of Quang Ninh in Vietnam. Chinese government takes steps to restore the population of Tanichthys albonubes in nature. Habitats of Tanichthys albonubes were only a shallow fast flowing streams with crystal clear water, rounded rocks and sandy bottom. There are often hanging roots and branches, but leaves do not stay in the creek due to rapid currents. There are lots of rounded stones here, overgrown with diatomic algae. There are almost no aquatic plants here. In nature Tanichthys albonubes feed on small crustaceans and small insects falling into the water. Now the fishes are actively bred by aquarists and it gives hope that the species will not be lost forever. Yet the problem of modern people is to prevent extinctions and possibly restore their population in the wild.
Fish and invertebrates: Tanichthys albonubes
Plants list: None
Biotope description: This aquarium was designed to draw attention to endangered species of fish. People alter habitats for fish and other aquatic organisms, thereby destroying the species. Rapid mountain streams in the place where now stands the city Guanchzhou, were the original habitat of Tanichthys albonubes. At home, they were considered extinct but fortunately, a small number of them have been found in isolated areas of Guandong and on the island of Hanyang in China, as well as in the province of Quang Ninh in Vietnam. Chinese government takes steps to restore the population of Tanichthys albonubes in nature. Habitats of Tanichthys albonubes were only a shallow fast flowing streams with crystal clear water, rounded rocks and sandy bottom. There are often hanging roots and branches, but leaves do not stay in the creek due to rapid currents. There are lots of rounded stones here, overgrown with diatomic algae. There are almost no aquatic plants here. In nature Tanichthys albonubes feed on small crustaceans and small insects falling into the water. Now the fishes are actively bred by aquarists and it gives hope that the species will not be lost forever. Yet the problem of modern people is to prevent extinctions and possibly restore their population in the wild.
Photo Gallery
Comments of the members of the jury of Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2016
The tank could be lower and longer, to avoid empty water column and to imitate the stream even more. But anyways – the bottom is very good. You can see it especially on the photo shot from above – I would say it was shot in the wild if I didn’t know it’s in an aquarium 🙂 I also like the composition of fishes – just a group of one species, not too much for such a small tank.
Probably it is time to turn things around; instead of talking about the endangered species, we should ask ourselves, “Which are not endangered?” I really liked the Fast-flowing mountain stream in Guangzhou province, south-eastern China biotope aquarium, it seemed calm and soothing to my eyes but the story of Tanichthys albonubes seems like a soap opera. One day you are thought extinct in the wild, a little latter you are not. Some people are not that concerned with their habitat loss because they are farm bred anyways. These types of situations are more frequent every year worldwide and that is why it is important to keep on creating biotope aquariums and explaining what they are about. It is a very simple and strong way to get an eco-message across.