This is my second Peruvian biotope, however, this time I thought I'd go a little more specific and pick out a river system. It seemed onlyrightto pick the Rio Itaya since that's where the focal fish are from (more on the fish soon).
The tank itself is a 55x32x32 cm tank. Which works out around 15g. I am running a fluval 205 filter with a dialled down output. As media I have two bags of pete, bio rings and sponges. Mainly biological. I am using a 75w submersible heater and heating to 25-26*C and finally, the light is an 18w hagen aquaglo (T8).
The deco consists of Tetra complete plant substrate. To which I added half and washed out the other (to use over the top). I like the natural look it gives (mixed size sand and stones). I have almond leaves and alder cones to soften the water and potentially induce breeding. I have a few small 'river rocks' dotted around and a piece of bogwood centre.
Flora consists of some vals, swords, java fern and something I am not too sure of. I know they don't originate from the Rio Itaya, or even Peru. So at some point I plan to chnage them. However, the selection atm is very poor, for me atleast.
Fish! There is only the fish at the minute. A wild pair of Apistogramma sp. Oregon. The male (Brucey) is about 1.25" TL and the Female (Oreo) 0.75" TL, both looking really good (unfortunately I cannot get clear pictures, my phone just doesn't cut it). I have left tankmates out for now, purely to try to get the Apisto's to eat. It has been a struggle, but today they have both eaten some bloodworm. Hopefully meaning I can add tankmates soon. The fish I am deffinately sure of adding is Otocinclus cats, they are found in the Rio Itaya and are the perfect size forthe setup. I am a little unsure of a tetra sp. though. I know Neons originate from Peru, I am yet to find evidence they are in the Rio Itaya though. So a little more searching is required.
Anyway. Enough words here are some pictures. The scape isn't quite to my liking but I don't want to disturb the Apistos.
FTS
This is the female. Mid flare. Both she and the male will spend all day attacking their reflections. She will also attack me through the glass, while he will shy away.
The male is underneath the wood in the background of this one. While she attacks me. (Sorry about the angle, don't quite know why it's rotated).
Unfortunately the male is still very skittish so I can't get any pictures of him just yet. But I shall! My girlfriend will be coming over tomorrow so I can get somebetter pictures with her dslr.
The tank itself is a 55x32x32 cm tank. Which works out around 15g. I am running a fluval 205 filter with a dialled down output. As media I have two bags of pete, bio rings and sponges. Mainly biological. I am using a 75w submersible heater and heating to 25-26*C and finally, the light is an 18w hagen aquaglo (T8).
The deco consists of Tetra complete plant substrate. To which I added half and washed out the other (to use over the top). I like the natural look it gives (mixed size sand and stones). I have almond leaves and alder cones to soften the water and potentially induce breeding. I have a few small 'river rocks' dotted around and a piece of bogwood centre.
Flora consists of some vals, swords, java fern and something I am not too sure of. I know they don't originate from the Rio Itaya, or even Peru. So at some point I plan to chnage them. However, the selection atm is very poor, for me atleast.
Fish! There is only the fish at the minute. A wild pair of Apistogramma sp. Oregon. The male (Brucey) is about 1.25" TL and the Female (Oreo) 0.75" TL, both looking really good (unfortunately I cannot get clear pictures, my phone just doesn't cut it). I have left tankmates out for now, purely to try to get the Apisto's to eat. It has been a struggle, but today they have both eaten some bloodworm. Hopefully meaning I can add tankmates soon. The fish I am deffinately sure of adding is Otocinclus cats, they are found in the Rio Itaya and are the perfect size forthe setup. I am a little unsure of a tetra sp. though. I know Neons originate from Peru, I am yet to find evidence they are in the Rio Itaya though. So a little more searching is required.
Anyway. Enough words here are some pictures. The scape isn't quite to my liking but I don't want to disturb the Apistos.
FTS
This is the female. Mid flare. Both she and the male will spend all day attacking their reflections. She will also attack me through the glass, while he will shy away.
The male is underneath the wood in the background of this one. While she attacks me. (Sorry about the angle, don't quite know why it's rotated).
Unfortunately the male is still very skittish so I can't get any pictures of him just yet. But I shall! My girlfriend will be coming over tomorrow so I can get somebetter pictures with her dslr.
