Mamoni river Biotope/community

[duanes]

180 gal tank, with 125 gal heavily planted sump
3 species of cichlid
Darienheros calobrensis, 2 adults half dozen juvies

Isthmoheros tuyrensis 1 sub adult so far

Andinoacara coerleopunctatus 1 sub adult, 3 juvies

2 species of Gobies
Gobiomoris dormitor (?) 6 ranging in size from 3" to one about 10"

Awaous banana 4 individuals.

1 species of catfish
Pimelodella chagresi 2 individuals


1 species of Pleco
Chaetostoma fischeri 2 individuals

 

[duanes]

When I first collected the Rio Mamoni back in June under the Panama highway overpass, it was still the dry season, water was clear, pH@ 8.0 and, as in all rivers in Panama I have collected, nitrates were undetectable, water temp, @ 82'F.

Collecting the last few weeks (during the rainy season), a few kilometers south, and at a slightly lower elevation, (near the pueblo of Las Margaritas) flow is much stronger, the water is now, very turbid, water temp slightly cooler @ 80'F

 

[neutrino]

Great photos. pH (and hardness if you measured) the same for both times and locations?

 

[duanes]

pH dropped slightly during the rainy season.
The 1st photo (left) was taken in June, the 2nd (right) in July, soon after the rains began.

We will be headed back to the Mamoni in about 2 weeks, but are going to search for an accessible spot, a little closer to the Pacific, at a slightly lower elevation, to see if parameter conditions, and species change.

The API strips that evaluate GH and KH have yet to vary much, seasonally, but we are early in the wet season.

 

[duanes]

The most common invertebrates found in the river Mamoni, were a trap door type snail, one was found clinging to almost every rock.

The other invertebrate was a local fresh water shrimp, one found under almost every rock in the riffles.

here were given residence in my sump.

 

[duanes]

Within a week or 2 of being put in the sump, juvie snails were popping up everywhere, especially on the sunny side, where algae coats the glass.