Biotope

[demonmagus]

Hi, could anyone tell me what kind of fish/plants/decor I would need to make an indian biotope in a juwel 180?

Thanks

 

[demonmagus]

anyone? links to biotope sites would be good as well 8)

 

[modernhamlet]

Here's a good place to start...
http/fish.mongabay.com/biotope_indian_river.htm

 

[Torrean]

I got a book on biotopes for christmas this year. I'll put down some of what I've learned about Indian Biotopes. Anybody who know's different please feel free to post.

There are a few different ways you can approach the indian biotope theme. First is a large fast moving river. This requires a fairly large aquarium and it's only decoration is really the fish. Another route you could take would be a mangrove swamp, or maybe a brackish tank. The fish in the swamp setup won't tear up plants and move substrate too much so you can do a good bit of aquascaping with this set-up.

A good substrate for an indian biotope (large river or swamp) consists of varying shades of quartz gravel, mixed in with other small rounded pebbles. You may even consider adding some sand or very fine gravel to get a more natural look.

If your going for the swamp theme then add some mopani driftwood, as well as other twisted root pieces that you like the look of. Pick pieces with lot's of cracks and crevices because you can end up planting in them.

the book suggests that you plant cryptocorynes in the crevices of the wood and attach java moss to it. Then plant Tiger Lotus around the wood pieces. Use black cotton thread to attach any plants to the wood as it will be harder to see than say white thread. Plant cryptocoryne in patches across the substrate leaving a fairly large open space at some point in the tank for the fast swimming fish we'll discuss in a moment. Also when planting the tiger lotus leave plenty of room for it to grow because it can become very tall. Try to think on a few thick growing low light plants that could grow under the leaves of the tiger lotus. You should make sure that you have several dense patches of plants throughout the tank and atleast one fairly large open space for the faster fish.

Fish: The main types of fish for this type of aquarium include Barbs, danios, gouramis, loachs, and some catfish. The Barbs should work with the danios loachs and cat's but the gourami's may not do well with them. Rosy barbs, Puntius arulius, Puntius filamentosus, Puntius fasciatus, and Puntius ticto, are all indian barbs that stay under 6 in. in length. Gourami's suggested include honey, dwarf, croaking, and the banded gourami. Those are all native indian species. It is not necessary for you to pick indian fish for your indian biotope but not too would kind of defeat the purpose. That takes care of the upper and mid level so for the bottom look into loachs. Some indian loaches include the pakistani loach (a little aggressive) Botia Lohachata, striped loach B. striata, chain loach B. sidthimunki or several black khuli loaches. The only reasonable catfish is the Pyjama cat (Mystus vittatus) It grows to 6 in and is relatively peaceful. An interesting centerpiece fish would be the black ghost knife fish. They are very beautiful and interesting fish but he will need a good hiding place as they are very shy fish. When he does come out though you'll really appreciate him.

Always do your own research before you buy anything. I've been wrong before and I'm sure the guy who wrote my book has been wrong before too. Get answers from 3 different sources and compare them before you start to think it might be true. Good luck and I bet it'll look great.

 

[CFC]

An interesting centerpiece fish would be the black ghost knife fish. They are very beautiful and interesting fish but he will need a good hiding place as they are very shy fish. When he does come out though you'll really appreciate him

Black ghost knife fish come from the Amazon in South America. Asian knife fishes are from the Notopteridae family of which the only commonly encountered species are the giant clown and royal knife fishes Chitala chitala and Chitala blanci which can reach lengths of 3 feet or more and are not suitable for community tanks or standard home aquariums.

 

[demonmagus]

I got a book on biotopes for christmas this year. I'll put down some of what I've learned about Indian Biotopes. Anybody who know's different please feel free to post.

There are a few different ways you can approach the indian biotope theme. First is a large fast moving river. This requires a fairly large aquarium and it's only decoration is really the fish. Another route you could take would be a mangrove swamp, or maybe a brackish tank. The fish in the swamp setup won't tear up plants and move substrate too much so you can do a good bit of aquascaping with this set-up.

A good substrate for an indian biotope (large river or swamp) consists of varying shades of quartz gravel, mixed in with other small rounded pebbles. You may even consider adding some sand or very fine gravel to get a more natural look.

If your going for the swamp theme then add some mopani driftwood, as well as other twisted root pieces that you like the look of. Pick pieces with lot's of cracks and crevices because you can end up planting in them.

the book suggests that you plant cryptocorynes in the crevices of the wood and attach java moss to it. Then plant Tiger Lotus around the wood pieces. Use black cotton thread to attach any plants to the wood as it will be harder to see than say white thread. Plant cryptocoryne in patches across the substrate leaving a fairly large open space at some point in the tank for the fast swimming fish we'll discuss in a moment. Also when planting the tiger lotus leave plenty of room for it to grow because it can become very tall. Try to think on a few thick growing low light plants that could grow under the leaves of the tiger lotus. You should make sure that you have several dense patches of plants throughout the tank and atleast one fairly large open space for the faster fish.

Fish: The main types of fish for this type of aquarium include Barbs, danios, gouramis, loachs, and some catfish. The Barbs should work with the danios loachs and cat's but the gourami's may not do well with them. Rosy barbs, Puntius arulius, Puntius filamentosus, Puntius fasciatus, and Puntius ticto, are all indian barbs that stay under 6 in. in length. Gourami's suggested include honey, dwarf, croaking, and the banded gourami. Those are all native indian species. It is not necessary for you to pick indian fish for your indian biotope but not too would kind of defeat the purpose. That takes care of the upper and mid level so for the bottom look into loachs. Some indian loaches include the pakistani loach (a little aggressive) Botia Lohachata, striped loach B. striata, chain loach B. sidthimunki or several black khuli loaches. The only reasonable catfish is the Pyjama cat (Mystus vittatus) It grows to 6 in and is relatively peaceful. An interesting centerpiece fish would be the black ghost knife fish. They are very beautiful and interesting fish but he will need a good hiding place as they are very shy fish. When he does come out though you'll really appreciate him.

Always do your own research before you buy anything. I've been wrong before and I'm sure the guy who wrote my book has been wrong before too. Get answers from 3 different sources and compare them before you start to think it might be true. Good luck and I bet it'll look great.

WOW thanks for the info, anyone know any sites where I can double check?

 

[Torrean]

Listen to CFC about the knife fish. I reread and the book does not say that the black knife is from india even though it is in the indian biotope section. The other fish mentioned are said to be from india though. PM me when you get the tank up and running I'd like to see the final product.