Laonong River, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
77th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2019
Taiwan. Tzu-Yu Chen
Volume: 85 L
Dimensions: 120X45X60
List of fishes: Opsariichthys pachycephalus, Barbodes elongatus, Candidia barbata, Cobitis sinensis, Acrossocheilus paradoxus, Opsariichthys kaopingensis, Macrobrachium nipponense, Rhinogobius nantaiensis
List of plants: Paspalum conjugatum Berg., Youngia japonica, Oxalis corniculate, Fissidens sp., Paspalum distichum, Pteris sp.
Description of decorations: My aquarium is a halt-water tank which is modeled on Laoning River. River sands, stones and rocks taken from the real nature were used as the substrate and as the river side. River bank with terrestrial plants were decorated at the corner of the aquarium. Dead woods are laid down into the water. No aquatic plants were found in the natural river except algae, so there is no aquatic plant in my tank.
Description of equipment: external filter: Tetra Ex Power 120 1240L/H
Lighting: up aqua U series Pro 40 color temperature 7000K
Water parameters: water temperature is 22 celsius degree. DO value is 11.2 ppm. Hardess value is 300 ppm. pH value is 7.9.
Additional info: Half of the total water is changed once a week. Sprinkler is used to maintain humidity.
INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE
Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The Laoning river is located at a high mountain valley which is the second biggest river in Taiwan with the length of 137km. The Laoning river covers the whole southern Taiwan with a catchment area of 1373 km2, playing an important role of supplying water resources for human uses. Only big rocks and stones were seen on both sides of the river and low grass covers the riverbank. Deads woods were washed down from the upper river. The river width is about 20 meters with high water velocity and strong water flow. The Laoning river has a large amount of water even in dry season and sometimes floods happens in rainy season.
Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: The water depth of the Laoning river is about 4 meters and the water is so clear so that it is possible to see the substrate. The substrate mainly consists of rocks and stone with no aquatic plants underwater.
Description of the parameters of the habitat: Water is transparent and clear. the average temperature in summer is 21 celsius degree. pH value is about 8.2. Dissolved oxygen value is about 9.4 ppm. Ammonia nitrogen value is 0.1 mg/L. Hardness value is 375 ppm.
List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Opsariichthys pachycephalus, Barbodes elongatus, Candidia barbata, Cobitis sinensis, Acrossocheilus paradoxus, Opsariichthys kaopingensis, Macrobrachium nipponense, Onychostoma barbatulum, Onychostoma alticorpus, Microphysogobio alticorpus, Puntius semifasciolatus
List of plants found in the nature biotope: Paspalum conjugatum Berg., Youngia japonica, Oxalis corniculate, Fissidens sp., Paspalum distichum, Pteris sp.
Threats to the ecology: During dry season, the water level is lower so that some nonlocal people tends to catch fish illegally by poisoning or electronic method. Since 2006, local community conducted a conservation activity to protect the Laoning river. As a result, the fish biodiversity recover and turns out a beautiful and abundant underwater scene.
Sources of information:
一說河長130公里, book
Water Resourse Agency (MOEA), website
http://e-river.wra.gov.tw/
Underwater filming by myself