Igarapé Preto, tributary of Caurés River. Amazonia. Brazil
The 10th place in the qualifying stage of the Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2015
Russia. Kirill Shaklein
Volume: 1500 L
List of fishes: Cichlasoma festivum, Paracheirodon axelrodi, Poecilobrycon eques, Hyphessobrycon bentosi, Nannostomus marginatus, Hemigrammus erythrosonus, Carnegiella strigata, Apistogramma sp., Chilodus punctatus
List of plants: Riccia fluitans, Lemna minor, Limnobium laevigatum, Pistia stratoites, Eichhornia crassipes, Vallisneria sp., Sagittaria subulata, Echinodorus tenellus, Mayaca fluviatillis, Nymphaea sp.
Biotope description: In this aquarium I tried to recreate the Igarapé (branch of the river) Preto, a tributary of the Caurés River, flowing in the north-western part of Brazil. The branch, like the others, goes far away in the forest. Among the dead leaves and branches of trees the small vivid fish life is flourishing. Each of the fishes I listed took its place in the aquarium. Vallisneria in this aquarium is cosmopolitan and was chosen to enhance the impression. And how is it, it’s up to you to judge.
Impressive aquarium size beautifully arranged into even more impressive Amazon biotope. Very good balance of fish and plants. If oak leaves were crushed or shaped to represent dry leaves from biotope correct trees, this would be best tank on the contest.
The Igarapé Preto biotope I think is beautiful and combined complexity in décor and species with beauty, colour, and a very eye catching aquarium.
This entry is striking in its volume. The most difficult is to set up large and small aquaria as a model of a particular biotope. Everything’s good, but it would be better to replace oak leaves with willow and alder ones. It will look more natural.