rio negro biotype

neonmadness · Post by **neonmadness** » 11 Nov 2006, 04:26

im setting up a 6'-30"-31" 290 gallon rio negro river biotype. I know it will include a black arowana, but what kind of catfish are from the rio negro, im especially interested in pimelodaes. i also need to know what a rio negro biotype would look like. What kind of plants should i use? any helps appreciated.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 11 Nov 2006, 10:09

i also need to know what a rio negro biotype would look like. What kind of plants should i use?

Most of the Negro is devoid of plants. The water is simply too dark and acidic to support plant life.

You may wish to simulate terrestrial plants by creating a shelf above the water level and letting plants trail into the water.

A "typical" Negro biotope aquarium would consist of white sand, lots of bogwood, leaf litter and blackwater of very low hardness with a low pH.

Quite how low you can go without causing pH swings I don't know, but I would avoid going lower than 5.5.

neonmadness · Post by **neonmadness** » 11 Nov 2006, 16:27

thanks, how about rocks?

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 11 Nov 2006, 17:21

Yes there are rocks, but these will be in areas such as rapids, and as such there will not be much bogwood, sand or leaf litter.

How strictly do you want to recreate the habitat?

neonmadness · Post by **neonmadness** » 11 Nov 2006, 17:28

it doesent have to be perfect, ill go with the sand and driftwood, but what kind of fish live there?

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 11 Nov 2006, 17:35

This fishbase link is a good starting point for you.

Go to "Information by Ecosystem", select Negro, then click "All Fishes".

The Negro list is far from a complete reference though.