The South American Biotope
Choose your aquarium population carefully, to anticipate and avoid future problems.
Definition of a biotope: This is a habitat which constitutes a biological unit, characterised by its fauna and flora.
General points:
Freshwater fish are native to countries close to the equator. This is why the water in your aquarium needs to be heated. However, temperature is not the only criterion to be followed. In theory, you should try to recreate a water environment equivalent to the natural biotope.
The Amazon is the largest river on the planet. Numerous vividly coloured fish are native to the vast Amazon basin in South America.
The South American aquarium is therefore a genuine exotic attraction.
1- Climate
The water should be relatively acidic (pH 6.5) and soft (2-5). The water should be kept at a temperature of 23-28°C, and should be yellowish.
2- Plants
Alternanthera reineckii, Bacopa lanigera, Cabomba piauhyensis, Crinum purpurascens, Cabomba, Echinodorus angustifolius, E.argentinensis, Aschersonianus i, Bolivianus i, Bleheri, Cordifolius "mini", Grandiflorus, Horemanii, Macrophyllus, Opacus, Osiris, Latifolius, Longiscapus, Palaefolius, Portoalegrensis, E.scaber, Subalatus, Uruguayensis, Egerias najas, Eichhornia diversifolia, Azurea, Eleocharis minima, Gymnocoronis spilanthoides, Hygrophilia guianensis, Heteranthera zosteraefolia, Hydrocotyle leucocephala, Hydrothrix gardner, Limnobium laevigatum, Mayaca fluviatilis, Myriophyllum elatinoides, Mattogrossense, Potamogeton gayi, Salvinia minima, Ludwigia inclinata, Myriophyllum aquaticum.
3- Base substance and decoration
- Dark gravel (slightly reddish).
- Fine white gravel.
- Red, flat jasper (or similar jasper).
- Medium-sized root (or similar root).
4- Cohabitant fish species
- Cockatoo dwarf cichlid.
- Black widow tetra.
- Bleeding heart tetra.
- Sterba's corydoras.
- Dwarf Otocinclus.
