#1386 Shores of the Mapirito River. Monagas. Venezuela. Orinoco River basin.
Río Mapirito. Monagas. Venezuela.
About This Aquascape
The aquarium represents the banks of the Mapirito River. Use a hollowed out real trunk as a centerpiece that serves as a shelter and reproduction area for Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, and simulate a fallen tree from the shore. I had the satisfaction of being able to reproduce them in the aquarium. I also recreated on the left side a dense formation of Bacopa monnieri as usually seen in the in situ photos of the original system, with Cabomba furcata growing among the Bacopa. I added a trunk of drift simulating the fall on the Bacopa massif and made it grow around the piece of wood. Use Najas guadalupensis to give volume. The water parameters of the aquarium are: pH 6.0 dGH 2-4 Temperature 28 degrees.
- Filter
- Aquaclear 110
- CO2 System
- c02 2bps x 6 hours
- Lighting
- Aqualumina for planted aquariums.
- Substrate
- A mixture of silica sand of two different shades to create the color similar to that of the substrate of the Mapirito River. Botanicals and seeds of Mauritia flexuosa. In the planted area I use Fluval stratum to be able to properly maintain Cabomba furcata which is a very demanding plant.
- Hardscape Materials
- Driftwood and a large natural tree trunk as the main piece.
- Background
- The bottom of the aquarium is a frosted paper.
Species
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi x 6 Pristella maxillaris x 11 Farlowella sp.
Plant species
Bacopa Monnieri. Najas guadalupensis. Cabomba furcata.
Fertilization
Fertilized with NPK made by me. Calcium and Iron. Water change 40% weekly for reset.
Biotope Information
The Mapirito River is located in the state of Monagas, Venezuela, flowing south of the city of Maturín as part of the lower basin of the Orinoco River. The exact coordinates of its main course are around 9°39'13" N, 63°4'7" W (Latitude: 9.6476, Longitude: -63.0807), with an approximate elevation of 38 msl in its middle stretch. The Mapirito is the biologically representative ecosystem of a Morichal, a type of oasis or seasonal gallery forest typical of the eastern plains that supports an immense biodiversity. Its waters are clear but have a slight tea-colored tint due to the high load of tannins released by the decomposing organic matter. It is a system of extremely soft and acidic waters. pH: 5.5 to 6.5 dGH 1-8 Low conductivity, frequently documented around 40 µS. Temperature: 22°C to 28°C depending on the coverage of the canoping. Oxygenation: Presents marked seasonal fluctuations. Dissolved oxygen levels fall significantly during the rainy season (especially towards June) because the increase in the water table drags terrestrial organic matter into the channel, increasing the biological demand for oxygen. The riverbed is dominated by sand of very fine and soft grain, interspersed with patches of mud or mud in the areas of lower current. Chemically, it is a very acidic sandy soil with a very low capacity for ionic exchange. The bottom is profusely covered by an extensive litter bed, submerged branches and intricate networks of roots that descend from the banks. La Palma Moriche (Mauritia flexuosa) is the absolute base of this ecosystem; its fruits support the fauna and its root system physically supports the sandy banks, preventing erosion. The banks have dense associations of moisture-tolerant ferns, araceae, peperomias, and canopy trees such as Cecropia and various gallery legumes. In Mapirito we can find dense formations of Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa colorata, Cabomba furcata, Najas guadalupensis and Nymphaea rudgeana. The Mapirito has a remarkable biodiversity of the Orinoco transition region, but is recognized worldwide for the flagship species that bears its name: Satanoperca mapiritensis. It is also inhabited by one of the best-known cyclicids of Aquarius, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi. They can be found from hundreds of specimens in some areas of lower waters. Something I wanted to represent in this aquarium, and be able to enjoy that gregarious behavior that they usually have in situ. So much so that several juveniles kept in the aquarium were born and raised inside it with their parents. You can find species of tetras such as Pristella maxillaris, Loricarids such as Farlowella vittata and species of the genus Nannostomus such as Nannostomus eques.
Walter Vazquez
Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Quick Stats
- Style
- Biotope
- Size
- 120x50x40 cm
- Volume
- 240 L (63.4 gal.)
- Plant Species
- 1
- Fish Species
- 1
Biotope Location
Judges' Comments
An impressive larger-scale display that gives the plants room to develop and the fish a more generous habitat. The hardscape is particularly impactful and communicates the character of the environment effectively. Overall, a convincing and memorable piece of work.
— Tai Strietman
Rams and Pristella tetras are very common species in the aquarium trade; however, many hobbyists are unfamiliar with the natural habitats in which these species occur. I wish you had posted a picture on how the Farlowella used the space ini the tank. I particularly like the dense use of Bacopa monnieri, which helps create a lush, natural appearance. The placement and incorporation of the hollow log provide an excellent habitat feature for the rams, while the use of lighting throughout the aquascape adds depth, highlights key features, and enhances the overall presentation. I also love the growth of biofilm and algae on the log.
— Kapil Mandrekar
An absolutely stunning biotope! I love seeing a South American habitat that goes beyond a few branches and the usual fish choices. The lush vegetation, incredible submerged tree trunk and carefully considered composition create a truly immersive underwater landscape. Everything feels so natural, yet beautifully arranged. Just because it's a biotope doesn't mean composition should be overlooked; a biotope display is still a form of art, and this is a fantastic example of that! The diverse and geographically appropriate species selection makes it even more convincing. One of my favourite entries so far. Exceptional work!
— Rodrigo Silva
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