Marginal zone of the Chukhonka River near Park Bridge, Krestovsky Island, St. Petersburg, Russia

88th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2019

Russia. Vasily Stolyarov

Volume: 230 L
Dimensions: 73x56x50 cm
List of fishes: Pelophylax ridibundus, Planorbarius corneus, Haliplus sp.
List of plants: Nuphar lutea, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex acuta, Scirpus sylvaticus, Ceratophyllum demersum, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Lémna gíbba, Potamogeton pectinatus L, Persicaria amphibia
Description of decorations: – fine sand DECOTOP Tanga
– snags and branches, similar to those found in the biotope
Description of equipment: AQUAEL ASAP 500 filter, TETRA Tetronic LED ProLine 780 lamp
Water parameters: temperature 24 degrees, pH – 6.2, KH – 3, GH – 2, NO3 – 40 mg / l, NO2 – 0
Additional info: This aquarium was set up as part of the Amphibian exhibition project in order to familiarize the audience with the natural habitat of Pelophylax ridibundus.

INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE

Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The Chukhonka River is located in St. Petersburg, in the southern part of Krestovsky Island. The river is a tributary of the larger river Malaya Nevka. The pond is located in a park area, along the banks there are many trees: willows (Salix alba), oaks (Quércus róbur), mountain ash (Sórbus aucupária), blue spruce (Pīcea pūngens). Despite this, most of the surface of the water is exposed to sunlight, therefore there are many aquatic plants in the river. A highway passes through the river (Krestovsky Prospekt)

Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: The sandy clay soil of the river is covered with a layer of dead water plants and fallen leaves from coastal trees. The Chukhonka River is shallow, the bottom without sharp drops.

Description of the parameters of the habitat: The water is quite muddy due to the large amount of vegetation and humus in the river. The average temperature is 7-8 ° C, in the summer it reaches 20-22 ° C. pH – 6.2-6.4

List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Pelophylax ridibundus, Perccottus glenii, Gerris lacustris, Daphnia magna, Odonata sp., Nephelis vulgaris, Planorbarius corneus, Haliplus sp.

List of plants found in the nature biotope: Nuphar lutea, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex acuta, Scirpus sylvaticus, Ceratophyllum demersum, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Lémna gíbba, Potamogeton pectinatus L, Persicaria amphibia, Iris pseudácorus

Threats to the ecology: Since the reservoir is located within the city limits, human influence is very significant: garbage and the exhaust gases of cars get into the water. Therefore, only widespread and resistant to external influences plant and animal species live in the river.

Sources of information:

Comments of the members of the jury of Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2019