Shallow rocky habitat near Kambwimba, Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania
55th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2019
China. Han-Jun Cai
Volume: 1200 L
Dimensions: 200x100x60 cm
List of fishes: Petrochromis ephippium, Cyathopharynx foae, Tropheus moorii, Neolamprologus pulcher, Julidochromis regani, Eretmodus cyanostictus, Altolamprologus compressiceps, ‘Lamprologus’ caudopunctatus, Altolamprologus fasciatus, Lepidiolamprologus attenuates
List of plants: None
Description of decorations: Biotope U brown granite and gravel in shape and color is very similar to those in Tanganyika biotope, and the Biotope U fine sand was used as substrate, with several type of shells and their fragment, under the substrate there are a large number of crushed coral to lift the background gradient, and the PH of water at the sametime. there are also some dead twigs added to enrich the detail ,just like in the natural biotope.
Description of equipment: A 7000L/h DC Pump, 7*35W LED spotlight, a 300W Eheim heater.
Water parameters: Temperature is 27-30℃，PH=8.4-8.5，GH=11°d
Additional info: Automatic water change at any time with the water level controller
INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE
Description of the area surrounding the biotope: Like most rocky coast of the Lake Tanganyika, there are hills and short trees around Kambwimba, and little village out there not far away. Most coast are rocks, you can hardly find beach, but deep in the shelter bay some reeds bank.
Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: The shallow rocky habitat in Kambwimba has less than 20% sand cover. Rocks are piled on top of each other, forming a complicated network of caves and crevices. The awfwuchs on the rocks is free of sediment. Which allow the algae to flourish, in some places forming thick green mats.
Description of the parameters of the habitat: The temperature of the surface waters of the lake varies between 25.5℃ in the coolest month and 27.7℃ in the warmest month, the pH from 8.8 -9.2. and the conductivity from 590-700.
List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: The most famous specie maybe the so-called ‘Red Rainbow’ Tropheus moorii and the yellow-fin variety of Neolamprologus pulcher, also the ‘Yellow-headed’ Altolamprologus compressiceps, and many other lamprogine such like ‘Lamprologus’ caudopunctatus, Altolamprologus fasciatus,and others cichlids which is more than 49 species .
List of plants found in the nature biotope: There are rarely plants exist in the rocky habitat, but deep in the shelter bay some reeds
Threats to the ecology: –
Sources of information: <Tanganyika Cichlids in their habitat>4th Edition，www.destin-tanganyika.