Calm bay of small tributary of Mamberamo River
The 20th place in the qualifying stage of the Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2015
Poland. Jakub Kijak
![](http://biotope-aquarium.info/wp-content/uploads/2015_biotope_aquarium_ao_5_1.jpg)
Volume: 112 L
List of fishes: Melanotaenia praecox
List of plants: Vallisneria spiralis
Biotope description: The Mamberamo River is the largest northern river of West Papua and the center of the Mamberamo river system. There are a number of tributaries, slow-flowing streams and backwaters. Different species of rainbowfish are very common in region. I tried to recreate one of the slow flowing tributaries. However water moved part of the sand and covered driftwood. I used dry Phragmites australis, dry tropical leaves, fine driftwood and Vallisneria spiralis. I also used white sand according to that biotope.
![](http://biotope-aquarium.info/wp-content/uploads/Gay-1-150x150.jpg)
The Mamberamo River biotope is one of my favourites in the whole competition, combining terrestrial palm leaves with biotope specific fish to make a stunning aquarium scene. Very nice indeed and one I like to replicate.
![](http://biotope-aquarium.info/wp-content/uploads/Salter-1-150x150.jpg)
Palm fronds and marginal grasses enhance the realism of being along the shore in this representation of a sheltered spot along the river. The sandy floor looks a bit too clean though, as one might expect more leaves and debris. Likewise, the driftwood is a bit too neat and clean, too strategically placed. However, the fish seem at home and are behaving as they would in the wild.