Amazon Biotope

[funkyhoney]

Howdy guys (and gals), I need a little bit of help with sorting out a customers new tank, it's 5x2x2' I believe.

She's got heaters, a canister and an extra internal plus a 4 bulb T5 light. So now all that remains is to choose what she wants!

After some discussion we decided that when I see her next (Thursday) we'll get things together and decide on stock + plants, decor, etc. She's interested in setting up a nice large Amazon/American type tank and I said I would get a list of suitable fish and plants to go in a tank that size. It's going to be decorated with quite heavily with driftwood but I don't believe going blackwater is our overall goal.

So basically nice soft, acidic water.

So far we decided on a number of angels, a few bristlenose and some nice teras like congo's. As for plants, Amazon swords as well as crypts and anubias on driftwood/rocks.

After that... I'm stumped, not too much of an expert when it comes to specific fish from that area, likewise for plants; can you guys help me out with a list or suggestions of plants native to the Amazon that I can order as well as other fish that would go well in that environment (other than the obvious tetras).

Thanks!

 

[Matty P]

Have a look at this link it should give you a bit of an idea about what fish and plants are native to Amazon/American waters.

 

[PRW1988]

Java moss and java fern could work out nicely aswell...

 

[invader]

First of all, Congos are not Amazonian.

I would go with tetras like bleeding hearts, red and black phantoms, basically any deep bodied tetras. You could also add cories to fill out the bottom part of the tank.