A small stream on banana-rubber plantations. Cilacap Region, Java is., Indonesia

_st place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2022

Volume of aquarium: 130

Dimensions of aquarium: 84/35/46

List of fishes: Geosesarma dennerle

List of plants: Ficus Pumila, Adiantum sp, Vesicularia Dubyana

Description of Decorations and Substrate: Beige lake sand (1-3 mm) was used as a soil. It is the same color as in the natural habitat of Geosesarma crabs, but slightly larger. In addition to sand, there were used stones “Yashma” by Laguna company. Banana leaves (by Decotop) were used as decaration details.

Description of Equipment: Homemade filter based on a lifting pump “Laguna 500AS”; two lamps PHILIPS TLD 18W/33.

Water Parameters: Water is transparent, temperature is about 25 degrees. GH = 4 d, pH = 8, KH = 6, NO3 = 0, NO2 = 0

Additional Info:
Aquarium video:

Description of the Area Surrounding the Biotope: A small stream (up to 20 cm deep) flows through banana and rubber plantations in the central part of Java island, Indonesia. The stream is surrounded by rich greenery, but there are also strongly marked sandy banks. The greenery predominantly consists from ferns, moss and small-leaved plants. The stream flows at the foot of the mountains which are mostly of volcanic origin. Stones in the streams and rivers also consist of lava and limestones.

Description of the Underwater Landscape of the Biotope: The underwater landscape consists of beige sand up to 2 mm, mixed with larger dark limestone stones and dense lava stones. Due to the large amount of organic matter in the water, it has a yellowish tint, but it is transparent. at the bottom of the reservoir there are remnants of twigs and leaves.

Description of the Habitat Parameters: Water is transparent, temperature is about 25 degrees. pH is around 7,5

List of Fishes and Invertebrates Occurring in the Nature Biotope: Geosesarma Dennerle

List of Plants Found in the Nature Biotope: Sagittaria montevidensis, Plenasium banksiifolium, Angiopteris evecta, Vesicularia dubyana,

Threats to the Ecology of the Biotope: Due to the fact that people actively cultivate the soil for agriculture and catch crabs for sale, the existence of this biotope is under threat.

Sources of Information:
1) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275894218_New_species_of_vampire_crabs_Geosesarma_De_Man_1892_from_central_Java_Indonesia_and_the_identity_of_Sesarma_Geosesarma_nodulifera_De_Man_1892_Crustacea_Brachyura_Thoracotremata_Sesarmidae
2) https://ru.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%AF%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%BC%D0%BE%D1%85
3) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiopteris_evecta
4) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittaria_montevidensis
5) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Flora_of_Java