Orinoco Basin Biotope

[james_fish]

I want to change my South American fish tank, into a Orinoco Basin biotope. I already have a Peckoltia lineola and 6 Keyhole Cichlids which the tank will be done around.

I was going to do this a while back, but lost enthusiasm and never did. But now I really want to go for it properly and do a great job of creating the natural habitat for the fish.

So I have a few question i'm going to throw up for you lot...

Fish - I know 6 Keyholes in 200 litre takes up room for other fish. So other than my L202, what other fish from the same origin can I have in there? Any Tetra's? Hatchetfish? Oto's?

Substrate - Gravel or sand or what? I will plants so bear that in mind.

Plants - I presume Amazon swords will be in the equation, but other plants live there? What floating plants?

Hardscape - Wood, rocks? What type of wood specifically to re-create the natural habitat?

Water - pH? Softness? Temperature? Is it blackwater? Will I need to tint the water with peat or something similar?

Anything else I should know? Do? Do you suggest anything, have any ideas/thoughts?

James.

 

[saz326]

Looks like the area is low on tetra thpe fishies - howver I found this in google - (only a quick search didnt see where it is from)

species of Hyphessobrycon similar to the Red Phantom or Serpae group, in its natural habitat in the Rio Orinoco in Venezuela. Dim light, lots of vegetation

Read more: http/www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/freshwater-tropical-fish/tetra-rio-orinoco-basin-63264/#ixzz1YmqTH75H

looks pretty.

Would be nice to have some microfish that would shoal away from the keyholes. Love keyholes. Any pikkies of them all togher?

 

[james_fish]

Looks like the area is low on tetra thpe fishies - howver I found this in google - (only a quick search didnt see where it is from)

species of Hyphessobrycon similar to the Red Phantom or Serpae group, in its natural habitat in the Rio Orinoco in Venezuela. Dim light, lots of vegetation

Read more: http/www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/freshwater-tropical-fish/tetra-rio-orinoco-basin-63264/#ixzz1YmqTH75H

looks pretty.

Would be nice to have some microfish that would shoal away from the keyholes. Love keyholes. Any pikkies of them all togher?

Thanks for the link Saz!

That's a shame about the Tetra's, looks like i'll have to do some research on that species.

I found this link which could help me: http/fish.mongabay.com/data/ecosystems/Orinoco.htm

I love Keyhole's too, my favourite out of all my fish. I've no pictures at the minute. They are all still growing youths, I've had two since October last year and then got a further 4 about 2-3? months ago. Great fish, so peaceful yet so interesting.

James.

 

[james_fish]

Bump! Really need some help with this project, come on TFF!

James.

 

[minnnt]

No help from me mate, but i can't wait to see this! My LFS has a few fully grown Keyhole Cichlids in and they're beautiful!!!

I really want some now!!!!!!!!!

 

[james_fish]

No help from me mate, but i can't wait to see this! My LFS has a few fully grown Keyhole Cichlids in and they're beautiful!!!

I really want some now!!!!!!!!!

No problems matey I can't wait for mine to be fully grown. When I got my new 4 a few months back they had a pair of fully grown in my local Maidenhead... Tempted I was! But thought better of it, as they were much bigger than my original two.

I always recommend KH Cichlids to community tanks, great fish. I've just read that Rummy Nose Tetra's are found in the Orinoco basin. Having a big shoal of Rummy's is never a bad thing!

James.

 

[minnnt]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have a lot to answer for!!!!!!!!

 

[james_fish]

I know, they were beautys aswell! If mine grow up to be half as nice i'll be a happy chap.

James.

 

[minnnt]

What other dithers would be suitable for this kind of setup then? I would want something totally different to the colour of the centrepiece fish.

 

[james_fish]

Still researching minnnt, can't find much. I've found that Marbled Hatchetfish live in the area, but would still want some form of Tetra. I've read on a few websites that Pristella Tetra's originate there too, they are a nice fish. Still looking, can't find much though. It doesn't help when every fish is in it's latin name, i'm useless with latin names

James.

 

[minnnt]

lol...

This is where i fall down. All the fish would be of a similar colour and then i would give in and get something like harlequin rasbora's or rosy tetra's, which would ruin the biotape

 

[james_fish]

I see where you are coming from haha! Easily done! I've read from a few sites Cardinals are found in the Orinoco basin, they could be that difference in colour i'm after! But I'm not sure over Cardinals, they are a stunning little fish yes, just not feeling them for this tank? I'll keep researching!

James.

 

[minnnt]

I have 4 Cardinals in my 55 litre tank and their colour just gets brighter and brighter!! Really love these little fish, but i am also loving Glowlights too... I need about 50 tanks!!!!! Any closer with the list of plants?

 

[james_fish]

Yeah i've got a few Cardinals too, they look stunning in big shoals.

Not looked into the plants yet, I'll wait for someone from the plant section to jump in. If I don't get much on this thread i'll start one over on the planted section. I just know that i'll be having some Amazon Swords, I wonder if Cabomba is found there?

James.

 

[stu40]

does it have to be a planted tank? seems to be a varied area, but large parts don't seem too planted, more sandy bottomed, big tree stumps, lots of leaf litter.