Biotope Information

This biotope was constructed to mimic a shallow drainage area in the Río Cenepa, river located in Peru which also runs along the Ecuadorian border. Although its geographical location has created its fair share of disputes, it boasts a widely diverse variety of fish and animals which inhabit it. Shallow areas within the river rise significantly during heavy storms, accumulating large amounts of leaf litter and falling fruits due to high winds. When storms subside, small fish find their way to these areas and create their own environments within. Adding small amounts of Peruvian botanicals bi-weekly has allowed for a beautiful display of the process of leaves and fruit pods decaying underwater. Small frequent water changes along with a lack of disturbance to the substrate has allowed the tank to develop, decay, and create a stormy looking environment full of nooks and crannies for the tanks inhabitants to explore. It is a pleasure to witness the natural behaviors and the effects of providing a space built so intentionally for the fish that reside in it. https://iwgia.org/images/publications/a_chronicle_of_deception.pdf https://mapcarta.com/19742884