Margins of the tributary, Mopán River, Petén, Guatemala
84th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2019
Guatemala. Ronald Ramón
Volume: 280 L
Dimensions: 150x50x40 cm
List of fishes: 05 Trorichthys Meeki, 03 Astyanax Mexicanus, 04 Poecilia Mexicana.
List of plants: N / A
Description of decorations: The decoration elements represented in the aquarium are: rocks, sand, roots and leaves, which were collected from the Mopán River to present this project and recreate the fish biotope.
Description of equipment: Canister Fluval FX6, with biological material, Atman heater of 200watts, 2 Atman LED Lamps LGM / 600.
Water parameters: Temperature 27 °, PH 8, Medium hard water. Between 10 and 25º dGh.
Additional info: Water changes are made every 15 days in 30% or 35% portions as required. The cleaning of the canister is carried out every 15 days between the changes of water in order to keep the beneficial bacteria as good as possible.
INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE
Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The Mopán River is a short river that is born in Guatemala and runs through the forested territory of El Petén east of Belize, surrounded by trees and embraced by the Petenera jungle. When Mopán meets the Macal river; The Belize River, in turn, flows into the Caribbean Sea. It also has mango trees in its surroundings and also muddy parts on the banks. It has parts of 1.30 meters deep, as well as parts of 20cm. In its route we can observe several species of birds and reptiles that surround the river. It has a slow water flow, it has narrow and shallow parts where we can see parts of the river with different branches, leaves of various sizes, the color of the water is green / bluish. Coordinates 17 ° 10 ′ 38.71 ″ N, 89 ° 4 ′ 50.95 ″ W In decimal 17.17742 °, -89.08082 ° UTM 1900370 278680 16Q
Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: Under the surface are trunks and thin branches dragged by the river, some get stuck on the banks generating hiding places that are formed with rocks and leaves of the trees, For the smallest fish. They are seen swimming in small schools to the meeki, sharing swimming with other species, this most seen in the shallowest shores. The water becomes a bit disturbed, generating better views since the entrance of the light is not even due to the trees that surround the river, however it offers a unique view.
Description of the parameters of the habitat: Temperature 29 °, PH 9.4. Between 10 and 25º of Gh.
List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Trorichthys Meeki, Brachyrhaphis Olomina, Poecilia Mexicana and Astyanax Mexicanus.
List of plants found in the nature biotope: Among some unknown pastures and small plants are Mangifera indica in the most wooded areas; where birds and other animals get their food.
Threats to the ecology: This river is at a certain risk since it is not in a reserve.
Sources of information: The biotope information was obtained in it.