Taiwan’s Hsiao Li Creek — a small tributary in the mountain forest
14th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2019
Taiwan. Chen Li Fan
Volume: 135 L
Dimensions: 120x60x45 cm
List of fishes: Candidia barbata, Crossocheilus paradoxus, Cobitis sinensis, Rhinogobius giurinus, Semisulcospira libertina, Cipangopaludina chinensis
List of plants: Moss
Description of decorations: The elements used in this aquarium, such as the substrate, wood, dead leaves, stones, rocks, part of them are from the wild, part of them are purchased from stores. Through appropriate design arrangements, I try to simulate the look of real habitat as much as possible. The most important thing of the stream setting is the substrate. I put a lot of sand and mix it with stones and rocks of different sizes, along with branches and leaves, which indicate that the stream is located in the forest.
Description of equipment: The aquarium is equipped with a MK800 Canister filter, a wavemaker and 2 T5 lamps for illumination.
Water parameters: Temperature varies with the seasons 18° C~28° C、pH7.2、GH8、TDS117
Additional info: The aquarium was set up in November 2018. Observing the changes in the four seasons is a great learning process for me and my family. I hope this fish tank will let more people know about biotope.
INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE
Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The source of Hsiao Li Creek is located on the hills in Longtan District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan. I also live in this city. The reference coordinates of this setting are: 24°51’40.0″N, 121°10’25.2″E. Hsiao Li Creek is 16 kilometers long and has very good water quality. It was used as drinking water and irrigation water. However, in 2000, due to industrial development, a factory was built in upstream area. Since then, a large amount of industrial wastewater has been discharged into the mainstream, resulting in the disappearance of a large number of original ecological organisms. The original ecology has changed since then. The small tributaries scattered in the mountains now have better biomes. The tributaries are located in the forest, about 250 meters above sea level. There are dense forests on both sides, and many ferns and moss on the riverside and stones.
Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: The water is about 15~30cm deep and the water is clear. The substrate is fine sand and covered with fallen stones and fallen leaves. The exposed rocks grow a variety of Moss, and these terrestrial Moss sometimes extend into the water. These elements provide shelter and foraging for young fish such as Candidia barbata and Acrossocheilus paradoxus. As their body size becomes larger, they migrate to deeper waters.
Description of the parameters of the habitat: The water quality is neutral pH7, the water hardness is 7°dh, the temperature varies with the season by 12° C~24° C, TDS102
List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Neocaridina denticulata、Gecarcinucidae、Macrobrachium asperulum、Candidia barbata、Acrossocheilus paradoxus、Cobitis sinensis、Rhinogobius giurinus、Semisulcospira libertina、Cipangopaludina chinensis
List of plants found in the nature biotope: Moss
Threats to the ecology: Industrial pollution, artificial river setting
Sources of information:
All information about this work comes from personal surveys and other units’ research materials.
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