Beautiful Leka river at Republic of Congo, Lower Congo River Region
55th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2017
Indonesia. Taufik Widjaja
Volume: 400 L
Dimensions: 150x50x60 cm
List of fishes: Phenacogrammus interruptus, Synodontis eupterus
List of plants: Anubias Barteri, Crinum calamistratum, Nymphaea sp
Description of decorations: Local white river sand. Various river stones and driftwoods. Aqua basis jbl fertilizer subatrate
underneath river sands.
Description of equipment: Canister Filter for 600 liter aquarium, led lighting 200 watt.
Water parameters: Water temperature – 26 c, kh 6, ph 6.8, tds 70 slow current
Description of the area surrounding the biotope: Congo river is the 2nd of the longest river in Africa which length is about 4700 km, with more than 3000
“island” and limitless creek. At the lower congo river, we can find a small creek called Leka River where Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) and Synodontis catfish.( (Synodontis eupterus) swim together harmoniously among driftwoods on river banks. The surrounding area and the bottom of the river are white sands. Some Anubias grow sparingly nearby shady area. In the river bank, which depht varies from 30 cm up to 200 cm , we can find some bolbitis, crinum and floating water lilies that makes low cuurent leka river become one of the most beautiful biotope in the world.
Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: Many driftwoods can be found in side Leka River. Some become a hiding place for fishes to hide and
breed for survival. White sands make this river attractive and many types of rocks with different sizes and color can be found on the bottom of this small creek. On shallow area, anubias plant grow well emerses and submersed. On deeper part of the river, crinum and nymphea rubra can be found .
Description of the parameters of the habitat: Water is transparent but slightly yellow due to a lot of driftwoods and temperature around 26-30 c wih ph
varies from 6.8 to 7.2. Low current water, tds about 100- 130.
List of fishes: Phenacogrammus interruptus, Synodontis eupterus
List of plants: Anubias Barteri, Crinum calamistratum, Nymphaea sp
Threats to the ecology: The river was severely polluted in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to the complete extinction of Astacus astacus and Pseudanodonta complanata. Unfortunately, all the time Krezniczanka is exposed to the negative impact caused by humans, littering or flushed fertilizers from nearby fields negatively affect this small ecosystem. How many more species will perish by human infertility?
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