Morazan river, El Progreso, Guatemala
110th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2018
Guatemala. Adolfo Hernández
Volume: 192 L
Dimensions: 120X40X40 cm
List of fishes: Theraps microphthalmus, Parachromis friedrichsthalii, Cryptoheros spilurus
List of plants: N/A
Description of decorations: Gravel, sand with rocks, varied rocks collected in the river. Trunks and branches collected on the shore.
Description of equipment: Canister filter fluval 305, 1 heater 300 watts, 2 led tubes 20watts.
Water parameters: Temperature 28ᵒC, 82.4ᵒF, ph 8.0, Ammonia 0ppm, nitrites 0 ppm.
INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE
Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The Morazán River belongs to the Motagua´s River basin in the department of El Progreso Guatemala and is a tributary of the Motagua´s River, the Morazán River has a length of 9 km. It is born in the ¨sierra de las minas¨ and flows into the Motagua´s River.
Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: It has dense riparian forest, rocky bed some waterfalls where pools are formed, the river bank presents rocks stacked with roots, trunks and branches intertwined with rocks in addition to leaves in a state of decomposition between them. Gravel between the sand, area of the shore and other areas. Slight current, however, no aquatic plants were found in this stretch of the river. Semi-adult fish groups and a variety of juvenile specimens were observed. In the middle area of the river the current is stronger, with sandy soil, large rocks and snails.
Description of the parameters of the habitat: There is presence of particles in the water as well as good visibility, slightly amber water due to the amount of trunks, roots and decomposing plant material. Ph 6.5-8.5 temperature 16ᵒC-30ᵒC (16ᵒF-86ᵒ).
List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Cryptoheros spilurus, Poecilia salvatori, Poeciliopsis gracilis, Theraps microphtalmus, Parachromis motaguensis, Parachromis friedrichsthalii, Torichthys aureus.
List of plants found in the nature biotope: N/A
Threats to the ecology: Contamination of the river because black waters and pollution. Habitat destruction because deforestation and deviation of rivers.
Sources of information:
http://biblio3.url.edu.gt/
Personal visit.