Overgrown stream to the east of the Ayutthaya city, Thailand

59th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2018

russia Russia. Marina Kolodan

Volume: 25 L
Dimensions: 27x40x23 cm
List of fishes: Trichopsis pumila, Scabies crispata
List of plants: Ceratopteris thalictroides, Vallisneria spiralis, Lemna minor
Description of decorations: Mangrove driftwood, fine light sand, leaves, birch roots.
Description of equipment: Filter: AQUAREL PAT MINI, lamp: AQUAREL LEDDY TUBE 6 W, heater: AQUAREL EASYHEATER 25W.
Water parameters: pH: 5-6.2, KH: 3, GH: 5, temperature: 25°C.

INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE

Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The creek flows in the rainforest, therefore there are a lot of driftwood and fallen leaves in the water. The flow in it is very slow, which allows plants to cover large areas. The area has three distinct seasons. The rainy season lasts from April to October with a sharp increase in precipitation in September. In winter, the air is colder (from October to January). From February to March, the temperature rises and reaches its peak in April. The difference in temperature between cold and hot months does not exceed 5 degrees. The coldest month is December, when the average daily temperature drops to 25°C, and in some areas until 13°C at night. In the hottest April, the average daily temperature will be 30°C. Seasonal fluctuations of the water level are characteristic: during the summer rainy season there are floods, and in the dry period the rivers become shallow.

Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: It is a part of a small river with a slow current and dense vegetation. The bottom is sandy. At the bottom, driftwood and fallen leaves are often found.

Description of the parameters of the habitat: Most of the reservoirs are small streams, with water depleted in salts. Hardness is determined by the location of the source of the stream and the rocks on its bed. In southern Thailand, the water is quite soft, pH is 5-6.5. Temperature is 25-31°C, KH is 0-3, GH is 1-3.

List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Aplocheilus panchax, Rasbora agriophene, Acanthophthalmus kuhlii, Badis badis, Danio regina, Trichopsis shalleri, T. vittata, Monopterus albus, Lepidocephalichthys hasselti, Macrognathus siamensis, Trichogaster trichopterus, Anabas testudineus, Pangio anguillaris, Betta siamorientalis Trichopsis pumilus, Scabies crispata.

List of plants found in the nature biotope: Cryptocoryne cordata, С. ciliata, С. balansae, Limnophila indica, Ceratophyllum demersum, Barclaya longifolia, Ceratopteris thalictroides, Crinum thaianum, Ceratopteris thalictroides, Vallisneria spiralis, Lemna minor.

Threats to the ecology: The aquarium was created to attract attention to such a significant environmental problem in Thailand, as the pollution of natural reservoirs with household and industrial waste, which leads to the extinction of many species of fish and other animals. Runoff from agricultural land, industrial waste and sewage lead to pollution of underground water sources with lead and fluoride. In many places, the fish disappear due to excessive fishing. Also in recent years there has been an active decline in forest areas, which violates the natural ecosystems of this country.

Sources of information:
http://aquafisher.org.ua/labirintovyie/rod-sphaerichthys/
http://aquafisher.org.ua/labirintovyie/rod-trichopsis/
http://biotopfish.com/genus/rod-trichopsis-karlikovye-gurami
https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Trichopsis-pumila.html
http://biotope-aquarium.info/videos/thailand/
https://houseaqua.ru/1410-scaby-scripata.html
http://myanma.takustroenmir.ru/a_myanma&geografiya-tailanda&4.htm

Comments of the members of the jury of Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2018