Congo River basin, Ituri forest in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic ​of Congo

133th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2019

Philippines. Vincent James Cabuang

Volume: 187 L
Dimensions: 120x40x40 cm
List of fishes: Hemichromis lifalili, Pelvicachromis pulcher
List of plants: Colocasia esculenta, Strelitzia sp.
Description of decorations: i use silica sand for my substrate with a bit of mud , dead woods in bothe corner of the tank to imitate nature. River boulders that i collected, branches and twigs of kerson tree (Aratiles)
Description of equipment: Regent r-6000 liquid filter, NXLED led light 20w, sponge filter
Water parameters: Temperature: 73-79°F (23-26°C).,pH: 6.0-7.8, Hardness: 4-15°H
Additional info:

INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE

Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The Congo River is globally important in terms of fish diversity. It is also of great evolutionary importance, as 7 out of 10 fish families in Lake Tanganyika have evolved from its waters. During a survey of the Congo River by the New England Aquarium, it was found that the fish fauna is dominated by the elephantfishes (Mormyridae), followed by cichlids (Cichlidae), characins (Characidae), the Distichodontidae and 2 families of the catfish order (Siluriformes): squeakers or upside-down catfishes (Mochokidae) and bagrid catfishes (Bagridae). Another prominent family included minnows/carps (Cyprinidae).

Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: This corresponds to a drainage area of approximately two and a half million kilometres squared; over 5000 kilometres of river channels; and incorporates some of the largest and most important global wetlands. you may find different structural underwater

Description of the parameters of the habitat: Temperature between 17-25 , pH between 4-6 , Total hardness 12-14 , Alkalimetric title between 13-18

List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Aplocheilidae, Polypteridae, Protopteridae

List of plants found in the nature biotope: Caesalpiniaceae trees. Burseraceae sp

Threats to the ecology:

Sources of information:

https://www.science.gov/topicpages/c/congo+river+freshwater.html

Comments of the members of the jury of Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2019