Humid and forested area, affluent of the Polochic River, Izabal, Guatemala
102nd place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2018
Guatemala. Alejandro Hernández
Volume: 192 L
Dimensions: 120x40x40 cm
List of fishes: Theraps godmanni, Trichromis salvini, Thorichthys aureus
List of plants: N/A
Description of decorations: Sandy substrate, with a variety of rocks of different colours and sizes, trunks slightly buried in the sand just like in the biotope of the species.
Description of equipment: Internal filter 1200 lph, conventional led lighting.
Water parameters: The temperature is 28°C, pH is 7, GH is 15.
INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE
Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The Polochic River starts in Alta Verapaz and is one of the main rivers of Guatemala. It runs from the west to the east along 194 kilometers crossing Alta Verapaz, ending at Lake Izabal, forming the northern boundary of the Sierra de Chucacús. It passes near the villages Tamahú, La Tinta and is part of the northern boundary of the Sierra de las Minas. At the height of the Teleman Village, the land is subjected to flood, its course is meandering.
Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: The area is full of rocks of different types, colours and sizes, with several rock areas being so large that they even reach the surface 30 cm. There are also trunks that are molded by the same river till soft forms and are mostly buried in the sand, which is slightly fine and dark brown, depending on the direct exploration performed.
Description of the parameters of the habitat: The water is slightly cloudy, average temperature is 28-30°C, average pH is 7.2, average GH is 15.
List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Astyanax fasciatus, Chuco godmani, Cichlasoma salvini, Thorichthys aureus, many amphibians.
List of plants found in the nature biotope: N/A
Threats to the ecology: This biotope is quite remote and access to it is not so simple, so it is considered not to be in danger.
Sources of information:
Theses, made for the University of San Carlos de Guatemala. Direct exploration in the tributary.