Shallows of Rio Xingu river near Altamira
132nd place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2018
Japan. Kota Kanbe
Volume: 182 L
Dimensions: 90x45x45 cm
List of fishes: Myleus setiger, Retroculus xinguensis
List of plants: N/A
Description of decorations: River rock, river small stone, nature fine sand.
Description of equipment: External filter: EHEIM 2217×1, Lighting: Flurescent lamps 18w ×3, Heater: 150w NISSO ×1.
Water parameters: Temperature is 28°C, Ph: 6.5, Gh: 8.
INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE
Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The Xingu River is one of the major tributaries of the Brazilian Amazon River. It originates from the Mad Grosso Plateau and flows north and joins the Amazon River near the mouth of the Amazon River. It is about 2100 kilometers in length and the catchment area is about 500,000 square kilometers. The flow is fast, there are many torrents and waterfalls. Altamira is a town with a population of about 100,000, downstream of the Xingu River. There is a boat from Altamira on the Xingu River. Departure point of the Xingu river. If you go up the river by boat from Altamira, there are many torrents, many fascinating fish live.
Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: The difference between the rainy season and the dry season level in Altamira is 4.4 meters on average. There are many torrents in the Xingu River mainstream. Therefore, water plants can not basically live. Because fallen leaves and driftwoods are flowed, it is formed with big rocks and gravels. Myleus setiger swims against the rapids in such a place. Therefore setiger has a very long dorsal fin. And each flare develops beautifully. Retroculus xinguensis is also swimming in the stream with such a rapid stream. Large individuals also prey on flowing small fish. Compared to other tributaries in Amazon, the Xingu river inhabits a lot of unique Xingu fish, and underwater you can observe unique fish adapting to the rapidly flowing Xingu river. This is one of the characteristics of the Xingu River.
Description of the parameters of the habitat: The water temperature varies depending on the location, but it is 26° ~ 31°. Because there is no concrete information Ph from 6.5 to 7.5, Gh 6 to 8 to guess from photos and videos. However, a huge hydropower dam is currently under construction at Xingu River. There are concerns about the survival of many species and deterioration of water quality due to this construction work. Therefore, it is in a state of doubt as to whether the Xingu River can maintain the present water quality environment in the future.
List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Myleus setiger, Tometes xingu, Ossubtus xinguense, Leporinus fasciatus, Retroculus xinguensis, Krobia xinguensis, Geophagus argyrostictus, Cichla melaniae, Hypancistrus zebra, Pseudacanthicus pirarara.
List of plants found in the nature biotope: It seems that water grass does not inhabit much in the mainstream.
Threats to the ecology: Construction of the Pelomonte Hydropower Dam is underway at Xingu River. Once this dam is completed, it will become the third largest hydroelectric power dam in the world, and degradation of water quality and survival of seeds is dangerous.
Sources of information:
https://www.slideshare.net/
https://novataxa.blogspot.com/