Endangered Species Habitat, Kalu River Tributary, Ingiriya, Sri Lanka

_st place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2022

Volume of aquarium: 225 litres

Dimensions of aquarium: 100 cm x 50 cm x45 cm

List of fishes: Lepidocephalichthys jonklaasi, Puntius nigrofasciata, Puntius martenstyni, Paracanthocobitis urophthalma, Schistura madhavai, Schistura notostigma, Systomus pleurotaenia, Aplocheilus dayi, Pseudosphromenus cupanus, Paludomas loricatus

List of plants: Aponogeton Sp., Legenandra Sp.

Description of Decorations and Substrate: Sand,gravel, pebbles and stones collected from river basins have been added to represent the natural environment. Collected leaves of trees surrounding streams and decomposed plant matter were added to provide more vibrant look.

Description of Equipment: External Filter 360 litres per hour
Light System Flood lights 25watt 3000k 10watt 6500k

Water Parameters: pH 6.5
TDS 180
Temperature 24 Celcius

Additional Info: 30% weekly water changes are performed. Cherry & Black Ruby Barbs were naturally bred within this biotope aquarium.

Aquarium video:

Description of the Area Surrounding the Biotope: Kalu River originates from Sri Padaya and reaches sea at Kaluthara after traversing around 80 miles.It covers around 2766 km2 and it’s headwater streams are located in rain forests such as Sinharaja Reserve. Ingiriya is situated near the border of Western province and Sabaragamuwa province.Basically the area is full of lone mountains and the east border contains more mountain characteristics.The highest land of the area is Madakada Giranchi Mountain which is 1165ft in height.The Eduragala Mountain is over 700ft in height. The Eastern part contains mountains over 500ft but the 60% of the whole land is plain.The Kalu River flows along the southern border of Ingiriya and many streams flow through various places of the zone to Kalu River. From eastern part is flows as Nambapana Stream and the largest stream of the area Mawak Oya starts from north and flows along the west side and connects to the Kalu River in South.These are the natural habitat.

Description of the Underwater Landscape of the Biotope: The Substrate consists of sand,gravel,pebbles and stones of various consistency.Larger stones are predominantly brownish although sand and gravel are yellowish red in color. As stream passes through thick vegetation. There are leaf litter and decomposed plant matter present in bottom. Root systems of surrounding trees near stream banks can be found.

Description of the Habitat Parameters: Water is semi opaque.
The average temperature ranges from 22 to 28 celcius and pH ranges from 6.5 to 7.8. TDS ranges from 160 to 220.

List of Fishes and Invertebrates Occurring in the Nature Biotope: Garra ceylonensis
Lepidocephalichthys jonklaasi (EN)
Puntius nigrofasciata
Puntius martenstyni
Paracanthocobitis urophthalma
Schistura madhavai
Schistura notostigma
Systomus pleurotaenia
Anguilla nebulosa
Clarias brachysoma
Heteropneustes fossilis
Schismatogobius deraniyagalai Sicyopterus griseus
Sicyopus jonklaasi
Puntius chola
Puntius dorsalis
Paludomas loricatus

List of Plants Found in the Nature Biotope: Aponogeton Sp.
Cryptocoryne Sp.
Legenandra Sp.

Threats to the Ecology of the Biotope: This aquarium was set up to bring the attention of the public about the natural habitat of endangered endemic freshwater fish species and due to habitat destruction caused by human activities such as construction projects, waste disposal,illegal trafficking of rare species and overall environmental pollution. This habitat represent the natural breeding ground for over 20 endemic fish species in which some of them are endangered and can be at a risk of extinction if not conserved in their natural habitat.

Sources of Information:
1.https://youtu.be/YwgwekQ1t7Q

2.https://youtu.be/kKDQT_CU_98

3.https://youtu.be/gCd4DKGjrww

4.http://www.ingiriyacity.lk/about-ingiriya/