#1325 Shangqinhuai Wetland Park, Nanjing, China
Shangqinhuai Wetland Park, Nanjing, China
- Filter
- SUNSUN EXTERNAL FILTER HW-603B 400L/H
- CO2 System
- No CO₂ supplementation
- Lighting
- JIYIN-21DF1076 18w
- Substrate
- Beige mud, beige river sand, small pieces of gravel, few leaves and thick twigs, dry rootiets.
- Hardscape Materials
- Reed stem, dead twigs and gray stones.
- Background
- Light-Blue static-cling background
Species
Macropodus ocellatus, Oryzias sinensis×6, Rhodeus fangi, Mugilogobius myxodermus, Cipangopaludina chinensis, Neocaridina cf. denticulata
Plant species
Ceratophyllum demersum, Acorus calamus, Lemna minor
Fertilization
No fertilizers
Biotope Information
Shangqinhuai Wetland is a vast ecological wetland within Shangqinhuai Wetland Park, located in Jiangning District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, China, covering an area of 28.7 sq km. Situated in the upper reaches of the Qinhuai River, it serves as a key confluence area of the Qinhuai River system, where rivers such as the Jurong River, Lishui River, and Yuntai Mountain River flow into the Qinhuai River. The wetland integrates multiple functions including wetland ecological protection, eco-tourism recreation, and science education, making it highly worthy of investigation and research for both its ecological value and scientific significance. This 32L aquarium, formed by connecting three sub-tanks in series, replicates the biotope of the nearshore shallows in Shangqinhuai Wetland. Inspired by my fondness for the territorial Macropodus ocellatus and the exploration of presenting habitat richness within a confined space, I devised a setup where the three tanks share a single filtration system. The aquarium is arranged from left to right to mimic the nearshore-to-offshore ecology. In the leftmost nearshore section, reeds, duckweeds, and Acorus calamus are placed, providing surface habitats for Oryzias sinensis. Moving towards the center, denser Ceratophyllum demersum, combined with fallen branches and leaves, creates hiding areas, perfectly suited to the ambush-hunting habits of Macropodus ocellatus. The rightmost offshore area, densely planted with Ceratophyllum demersum, recreates the scene of Rhodeus fangi swimming among aquatic plants. References: Li, F. (2024). Freshwater Fishes of China. Fuzhou: The Straits Publishing & Distributing Group. ISBN: 9787556712861. https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1oh4y1P7H1/?spm_id_from=333.337.search-card.all.click&vd_source=fc474bc248b4e661219afb4aeec99e06
Yunfei Long
Dongguan, China
Quick Stats
- Style
- Biotope
- Size
- 90x20x18 cm
- Volume
- 32 L (8.5 gal.)
- Plant Species
- 3
- Fish Species
- 6
Biotope Location
Judges' Comments
This is an interesting and unconventional approach to biotope representation, using three separate aquariums to recreate different aspects of a natural wetland habitat. There is clearly considerable thought behind the concept, and the individual displays contain recognisable elements of the environment being represented. My principal concern is the suitability of the available space for the fish. The dimensions are listed as 90 × 20 × 18 cm, but it is unclear whether these refer to the overall installation or to each individual aquarium. If these dimensions represent the combined display, the space available in each compartment would be particularly concerning for the larger species, including the fish that appears to be a Macropodus species. I would welcome clarification of both the dimensions and the species involved before drawing a firm conclusion about their long-term suitability. Personally, I would have preferred to see a single, appropriately sized aquarium dedicated to the ricefish, allowing their natural behaviour and habitat to be represented more convincingly. Although the individual aquariums contain authentic elements of the natural environment, the division into three visibly separate displays makes it difficult to suspend one’s disbelief and experience the installation as a coherent window into a natural biotope. The concept has merit, but for me, its execution is less convincing than a unified habitat representation.
— Tai Strietman
I appreciate the creative idea of representing different zones of a wetland and the effort put into selecting appropriate native species. However, I'm not convinced by the execution. The three separate compartments don't create a cohesive or particularly natural-looking composition, and each provides only around 10 litres of space for its inhabitants. This is especially concerning for species such as Macropodus ocellatus and Rhodeus fangi, which deserve considerably more room. While I appreciate the ecological concept and the diversity of species represented, I feel this would have been far more convincing, both visually and ecologically, as a single continuous aquarium.
— Rodrigo Silva
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