In the shallows of the Khorol river, Ukraine

67th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2017

 Ukraine. Vladimir Dushko

Volume: 60 L
Dimensions: 60x30x36 cm
List of fishes: Leucaspius delineatus
List of plants: Fontinalis antipyretica, Lemna trisulca, Spirodela polyrrhiza, Scirpus, Ceratophyllum submersum, Hydrocharis
Description of decorations: Driftwood, sand, bark, plants and fish from the river Khorol. Moss from the coastal zone (was noticed by me growing on branches, hanging in the water).
Description of equipment: Eheim filter 5 l/m. The light is from the Sun, adjustable by the shutters on the window. Heater is absent, there is no use in it.
Water parameters: GH 20, KH 14. Temperature is 20°C.

Description of the area surrounding the biotope: Khorol is a river in the Sumy and Poltava regions of Ukraine, the right tributary of the Psyol river (Dnipro basin). Its length is ~ 308-311 km, the basin area is 3340 square km. The river gets water mostly from snow (85%). Flood lasts from late February to early April. It dries up in the upper reaches for 40-50 days. It freezes in November or in early January, the ice opens in March or early April. Average annual water discharge of the Khorol river near the town of Mirgorod is of 3.8 m³/s. Swampy and peat meadows are widespread in floodplains of the river. Meadows are also often found in floodplains and on dry lands. Solonchaks are distributed on the terraces of the river. In the occupied areas, sedge bogs predominate.

Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: This work represents one of the shallow water areas flooded during high water. In this place along the coast there are areas with reeds, bushes and trees. Trees, as a result of washing the ground, fall into the water, creating an underwater “jungle” of branches. In these places, young fish of various species often hide from such predators as pike and perch. It was the coastal area that I tried to recreate in my work.

Description of the parameters of the habitat: The water in the river in the spring and autumn has a colour of tea. In summer, as a result of growing algae it is green. It freezes in November or in early January, the ice opens in March or early April. Average annual water discharge of the Khorol river near the town of Mirgorod is of 3.8 m³/s.  Mineralization of water in the spring during high water is 843 mg/dm3; in the summer and autumn during low level it is 966 mg/dm3; in winter during low water it is 1053 mg/dm3. The composition of the bottom of the river is different. There are strongly silted areas and clean sandy bottom in it. Silty areas prevail.

List of fishes: Esox lucius, Perca fluviatilis, Leucaspius delineatus, Carassius, Tinca tinca, Rutilus rutilus, Gymnocephalus cernuus, Scardinius erythrophthalmus, Astacidae, Lymnaeidae, Hirudinea.

List of plants: Lemna trisulca, Spirodela polyrrhiza, Scirpus, Ceratophyllum submersum, Hydrocharis, Nymphaea.

Sources of information: https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A5%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BB_(%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0)