Un biotope aquarium It is one in which we recreate an ecosystem so that both fish and plants and invertebrates can grow. It also represents a set of species from very different habitats from each other.
May create different systems. There are different biotopes and recreating the ideal habitat depends on each hobbyist. For amateurs it would be a good start to a primordial species that they want to keep and, later, other fish that coexist in the same region or habitat.
To make an aquarium biotope information is needed. Once the type is chosen, it simply needs to be recreated with the same original conditions. That is, always as closely as possible to the environment that the fish and plants of a certain area or habitat belong to.
Main types of biotope aquariums
Asian aquarium. Its main feature is that it has a lot of plants and fish. Plants such as ferns recreate the habitat of this type of biotope. Fish such as barbs, all rasboras, and trichos, Colisa lalia, bettas, danios, botias and kuhli They are ideal for populating the Asian aquarium. Usually, a moderate flow, abundant aerial roots and fallen leaves that enrich the bed.
Mangrove Aquarium. This type of habitat, also found in Asia, is native to mangrove roots. Fish such as the archer (Toxotes), Scatofagus argus, Blowfish and the mudskipperTo achieve a natural-looking landscape, intertwined trunks or roots simulating mangroves should be used. The water is slightly alkaline with a pH greater than 7 and lasts.
Expanded definition and scope of the biotope
Strictly speaking, a biotope aquarium seeks reproduce an ecosystem with maximum fidelity: species de peces and plants from the same place, substrate, rocks and equivalent woods to the environment represented and water parameters (temperature, pH, hardness, conductivity) very close to those of the habitat. Priority is given to wild phenotype (natural coloration and morphology), avoiding ornamental varieties selected in captivity.
Under a less restrictive view, the concept admits that abiotic elements are geologically equivalent and that the organisms, although bred in captivity, belong to species that coexist in that biome. When representing huge territories (e.g., complete basins or several distant tributaries) falls more into the category of thematic or geographic aquarium, still valuable for dissemination and enjoyment.
Popular examples include biotopes of the Amazon and the Black river, rivers of the Southeast Asia, African lakes Malawi and Tanganyika, Indian rice fields or, in marine, reefs from the Red Sea, the Caribbean, or the Mediterranean. The choice defines rocks, substrates, plants and flow dynamics that the aquarium should show.
How to classify and plan a biotope
A biotope is defined by four essential criteria: geographic region (South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, marine), habitat type (river, stream, lake, swamp, mangrove), compatible native species and, if greater precision is desired, the seasonality (dry/rainy season, summer/winter) which influences flow rates, transparency and availability of shelters.
Research reliable sources to gather data on water chemistry, bed structure, riparian vegetation, light rhythms and social behavior of fish. Select an urn volume that allows territoriality and swimming suitable, and creates a scene with natural materials (leaves, branches, trunks, stones) consistent with the place represented.
Biotope, black water and botanical method
Biotopes seek replicate a specific site with native species and adjusted parameters. The blackwater aquariums They reproduce acidic and tannin-rich waters (such as the Negro River), with amber coloration, low pH and low hardness; they are ideal for tetras and cardinals and cichlids that inhabit environments of dim light. The botanical method prioritizes the creative use of leaves and pods to achieve natural aesthetics, with flexible parameters and without obligation to stick to a specific location.
Degrees of biotope and specific biotope
The grade 3 biotope: suitable for beginners. Study plants and fish in a continent or macroregion with similar parameters even though they don't share the same river. It allows for a natural aesthetic without losing ecological coherence.
Grade 2 Biotope: representation of a main river and its tributaries. It requires collecting information from the system (flora, fauna, water color, seasonality), achieving a montage more precise and viable in which the inhabitants recognize elements of the environment.
Grade 1 Biotope: location very specific of a river or tributary. Detailed chemistry, landscape, and community data are applied to observe natural behaviors (reproduction, hierarchies, schools, use of microhabitat) with great fidelity.
Specific biotope: focus on a key species. Although the set is incomplete, it is provided optimal conditions for their well-being and to study details of their microhabitat within B1, as if observing a segment of the ecosystem with a magnifying glass.
Practical tips for a healthy biotope
Keep the ecological balance adjusting population, food, and maintenance. Prioritize wild or natural phenotype species compatible. Avoid mixing fish of distant basins If you are looking for fidelity and use filtration and flow according to the habitat. The lighting must accompany the photoperiod of the place represented.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it difficult to maintain a biotope aquarium? Requires prior research and consistency, but with planning and stable parameters it is totally achievable by committed amateurs.
Do I need previous experience? It is not essential. It helps to start with a B3 and work your way up. B2 / B1 as you master water chemistry and compatibility.
Is it more expensive than a mixed aquarium? Depends on size and species. Some materials and specific fish raise the initial cost, but the system coherence usually facilitates its stability in the medium term.
Can I mix species from the same habitat? Yes, if they are Compatible and share physical-chemical requirements. Check territoriality, swimming areas and diet to avoid conflicts.
Creating a faithful biotope not only raises the fish welfare, also enhances the campaigns and environmental education by showing how a real ecosystem works within the home, from the processes of the substrate to the social dynamics of its inhabitants.
