Rio Guapore

The 39th place in the qualifying stage of the Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2014

turkey Turkey. Tolga Eldurmaz

Volume: 45 L
List of fishes: Apistogramma trifasciata, Poecilia wingei
List of plants: Echinodorus sp.
Biotope description: In my country where I struggle to find Apistogramma species, A. trifasciata is my favourite. I wanted to set up a true biotope aquarium for this special species. I tried to replicate Rio Guapore, which is a small tributary in the Amazone river system and home to A. trifasciata. The water parameters are how they should be and the biological system in the tank is well established. My only maintenance routine is to top off the water which is lost daily through evaporation. The trifasciatas feed on the invertebrates and microorganisms growing in the aquarium.

My 1st place was definitely Rio Guaporé, the only South American biotope decoration completely correct to the nature (as Echinodorus grow there), correct décor and fishes. Was this overlooked by most (?), as it has been given by others a 13th place.

Heiko Bleher (Italy)