[Anne]

AFRICA
What are they?And how do they differ from other types of aquariums?Aquariums set up with castles and colored gravel fall into "fantasy"aquariums category and theres nothing wrong with them they can be quite fun.The next category"natural" aquariums have a mish mash of plants,rock,wood and fish but without concern for the fishes natural habitat.
The "biotopic"aquarium is an attempt on our part to match fish,plants and water conditions to the natural waters where they are found.









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a couple of tips first about rockwork and styrofoam,Be sure to sercure any rockwork so it won't fall over
Coatings for styrofoam should be NSF 61/USDA/ANSI/AWWA and FDA certified and
approved. Further, epoxy coatings are highly resistant to salts and corrosion and are recommended for marine useSome brand name coatings that can be used
are:carbolene brand "891" epoxy with color choices one of which is "4753"grey
epoxies contain no solvents or volatile organic compounds and are usually composed of 100% solids
dupont brand "epoxide hs tank lining"
sherwin williams brand "tank clad hs epoxy"
rustoleum brand "9200" system epoxy with color choices one of which is "9271" dunes tan






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Lake Tanganyika
PH: 7.8-9.0
dH ;12-20
Temp;75-82F
There are two easily defined biotopes in this lake.(1)The rocky shores dwellers tank should

have a rocky setup with caves and overhangs tunnels and crevices making sure to have more

hiding spaces than fish.there are few plants in this area (algae growth should be encouraged)
caves can be as simple as rocks stacks, flower pots,sections of PVC pipe or elaborate carved

fake rockwork of styrofoam with caves carved into it.
(2) For cichlids that inhabit sandy regions; a sand substrate with a scattering of snail shells,

should be used. These sand-dwelling cichlids will seek shelter in these shells and also use them

as spawning sites. Regardless of the biotope, all Lake Tanganyika cichlids must be provided

with a large open swimming areas. Use a filter that provides little or no current, as Lake

Tanganyika has little. With both groups a coral sand bottom should be used to buffer the water at

an alkaline level.These fish come from a very stable enviroment water quality is very important
FISH:(cichlids)
Chalinochromis brichardi-Brichard's Chalinochromis
Cyphotilapia frontosa-Frontosa Cichlid
Cyprichromis leptosoma-Leptosoma Cichlid
Eretomodus cyanostictus- Striped Goby cichlid
Julidochromis dickfeldi- Dickfeld's Julie
Julidochromis marlieri- Marlier's Julie
Julidochromis ornatus- Golden Julie
Julidochromis regani- Regan's Julie
Julidochromis transcriptus- Masked Julie
Lamprologus ocellatus- Ocellated Laprologus
Lamprologus speciosus -Speciosus Cichlid
Lepidiolamprologus elongatus- Elongated Lepidiolamprologus
Neolamprologus boulengeri- Boulenger's Cichlid
Neolamprologus brichardi- Fairy Cichlid
Neolamprologus leleupi- Lemon Cichlid
Neolamprologus multifasciatus- Multifasciatus Dwarf Cichlid
Neolamprologus tetracanthus Four-Spine Cichlid
Neolamprologus toae -Toae Cichlid
Neolamprologus tretocephalus-Tretocephalus Cichlid
Paracyprichromis nigripinnis- Black-Fin Cichlid
Spathodus marlieri- Plain Goby Cichlid
Telmatochromis bifrenatus- Two-Banded Cichlid
Telmatochromis temporalis- Temporalis Cichlid
Tropheus brichardi- Brichardi Cichlid
Tropheus duboisi -White-Spotted Tropheus
Tropheus moorii- Blunt-Head Cichlid
Synodontis, Afromastacembelus eels, Tanganyika Rainbowfish.
PLANTS:
Vallisneria is the only commercially available species, but Anubias and Java Fern are also

suitable if you want to bend the rules.
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Lake Malawi
pH 7.8-8.6,
6-10 dH,
72-82 F
The tank should be set up the same as Lake Tanganyika
FISH: (cichlids)
Aulonocara baenschi -Yellow Regal Peacock Cichlid
Aulonocara jacobfreibergi-Freiberg's Peacock Cichlid
Aulonocara nyassae- African Peacock Cichlid
Copadichromis azureus -Azureus Cichlid
Copadichromis boadzulu- Boadzulu Cichlid
Copadichromis chrysonotus- Chrysonotus Cichlid
Copadichromis nkatae- Nkata Cichlid
Cynotilapia afra -Dogtooth Cichlid
Cyrtocara moorii- Malawi Blue Dolphin
Dimidiochromis compressiceps- Malawi Eye-Biter
Gephyrochromis moorii -YellowTailed Violet Cichlid
Labeotropheus fuelleborni -Blue Mbuna
Labeotropheus trewavasae -Trewavas' Mbuna
Labidochromis caeruleus- Electric Yellow Hap
Melanochromis auratus- Auratus
Melanochromis joanjohnsonae- Orange-Lined Cichlid
Melanochromis johanni- Johanni Mbuna
Melanochromis vermivorus- Purple Mbuna
Nimbochromis linni- Elephant-Nose Cichlid
Nimbochromis livingstonii- Livingstoni's Nimbochromis
Nimbochromis polystigma- Hyena Cichlid
Placidochromis electra- Deepwater Hap
Protomelas annectens- Chunky Hap
Pseudotropheus aurora -Aurora Cichlid
Pseudotropheus elongatus -Slender Mbuna
Pseudotropheus estherae -Red Zebra Mbuna
Pseudotropheus lombardoi -Kenyi Cichlid
Pseudotropheus saulosi -Saulosi Mbuna
Pseudotropheus socolofi -Socolof's Mbuna
Pseudotropheus tropheops -Golden Tropheops
Pseudotropheus zebra -Zebra Mbuna
Sciaenochromis ahli- Electric Blue Hap
PLANTS:
Vallisneria is the only commercially available species, but Anubias and Java Fern are also

suitable if you want to bend the rules.
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African River Rapids(this would be the hardest to simulate)
pH: 7.0-7.5,
6-10 dH,
72-78 F (22-23C)
TANK:
The water in this habitat is highly oxygenated due to the turbulence created by the rapids --

therefore the water in the aquarium should be well-aerated. Leave plenty of open swimming

area, but use some large rocks. The substrate should be fine gravel or sand. To create water

current, place a spray bar from a canister filter, or powerheads at one end of the aquarium.
FISH:
Eutropiellus, Distichodus, Synodontis, Steatocranus, Teleogramma, Lamprologus
PLANTS:
Because of the strong water current, the rapids are not a hospitable place for plants.
In the aquarium, plants can be used if they well anchored or protected from the current.
Plants suitable for such an environment include the African Water Fern (Bolbitis heudeloti) and

Anubias species.
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African River
West and Central Africa are full of rivers.
pH 6.9-7.2,
3-8 dH,
75-81 F (24-27 C)
TANK:
The tank should be furnished with wood for hiding places, and fine gravel or sand for a substrate.
The lighting should be muted, and the water should have a slight current.
FISH:
African tetras, Mormyrids, African tetras, African Knifefish, African Butterfly fish, Synodontis,

Hemichromis, Pelvicachromis,
PLANTS:
Bolbitis heudelotii , Anubias, Vallisneria, Eleocharis.see also plant list
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West African River
Temp: 75° to 85°
ph:6.9-7.4
4° to 6° DH
Substrate: coarse river sand
FISH : Congo Tetra, Distichodus and Adonis. Dwarf African Cichlids like Nanochromis and

Pelvicachromis, African Anabantids, African Catfishes like Synodontis, Killifishes, Elephantnose

& African Rainbowfishes.
PLANTS:see plant list
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Africn Swamps
Reedy plants line the shores of waterways and shallow pools. Floating grasses and lilies are

found where there is little current. Banks along moving waterways drop off quickly, creating

cliff-like formations with overhanging roots. Many fish seek refuge under these root overhangs

and inside caves.
pH 7.2-7.8,
2-8 dH,
70-85 F (21-24 C)
TANK:
The tank should have fine gravel, sand, or clay for a substrate.
Plant grassy vegetation along with rear and corners of the tank. Use dense leafy vegetation in

the center of the aquarium and scattered floating plants (if desired).
Use submerged wood to provide hiding places akin to those created by overhanging roots and

clay caves in the natural setting.
The lighting should be bright and the water should be clear. Current should be still to moderate

depending on whether the aquariast is amining to recreate a still pool or flowing channel.
FISH:
Mormyrids, African tetras, barbs, spiny eels, Haplochromines,Tilapia, Hemichromis, Synodontis,

Clarias catfish.In the neighboring floodplain, annual Killifish can be found
PLANTS:
African Water Fern, Ammannia, Marsilea, Eleocharis, Anubias, Nymphaea, Water Lettuce
anubias,Lemma.spp,see plant list
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African Plants
A word about plants,if you were to dive in a river you'd find one or two species predominate the

riverbottom possibly for miles. So to keep it correct choose one or two plant species for planting

and possibly one floating species.

SIMPLE FLOATING PLANTS
Azolla africanas (tropical Africa)
Azolla nilotica (Eastern africa)
Azolla pinnata (africa)
Azolla filiculoides 9Africa
Salvinia natans (Northern Africa)
Ricciocarpus natans (cosmopolitan)
Ricca fluitans (cosmopolitan)
Lemna gibba (cosmopolitan)
Lemna pauciocostata (cosompolitan)
Lemna minor (cosmopolitan)
Lemna Angolensis (cosmopolitan)
Wolffia arrhiza (middle and south africa)
TRUE FLOATING PLANTS
Eichhornia crassipes (egypt)
Eichhornia natans (africa)
Trappa natans (eastern africa)
Utricularia vulgaris (north africa)
Utricularia platytera (nigeria)
Utricularia neottioides (africa)
Utricularia stellaris (africa)
Utricularia flexousa (africa)
Utricularia foliosa (africa)
Utricularia exoleta (africa)
Utricularia gibba (africa)
Utricularia neglecta (africa)
Najas minor (africa)
Najas pectinata (africa)
Najas falciculata (africa)
Najas graminea (africa)
FERNS
Ceratopteris thailctroides (cosmopolitan)
Bolbitis heudelotii (ethiopia-south africa)
Marsilea diffusa (tropical africa)
Ceratopteris cornuta (africa)
Ceratopteris pteridoides (cosmopolitan)
Ceratophyllum demersum (africa)
Ceratophyllum submersum (cosmopolitan)
MOSSES
Riccia fluitans (cosmopolitan)
Leptodictyum riparium (cosmopolitan)
Riccia rhenana (cosmopolitan)
ROSETTE PLANTS
Anubias hastifolia nigeria cameroon ziare ghana togo
Anubias afzelii (senegal,guiena,mali )
Anubias congensis (west africa, congo river)
Anubias nana (west africa, congo river)
Anubias lanceolata (west africa, congo river)
Anubias nana (west africa, congo river)
Anubias frazeri (west africa, congo river)
Anubias coffeeolia (west africa, congo river)
Anubias barteri (west africa, congo river)
Anubias giantea (west africa, liberia cameroon ivory coast)
Anubias heterophylla (senegal,cameroon)
Anubias pyaertii (senegal,cameroon)
Anubias gilletii (west africa)
Blyxa radicans (africa)
Blyxa orzettrum (africa)
Crinum calamistratum
Crinum natans (cameroon)
Crinum tortifolia (africa)
Eleocharis minima (tropical africa)
Eleocharis parvula (africa)
Aponogeton distachyus (south africa)
Aponogeton abyssinicus
Aponogeton pusillus (africa)
Nymphaea alba (algeria,tunis)
Nymphaea lotus (east africa)
Nymphoides indica (tropical africa)
Vallisneria spiralis (central and east sudan)
PLANTS WITH LONG STEMS
Brasenia schreberi (west africa)
Hydrilla verticillata (cosmopolitan)
Hydrocotyle vulgaris (northern africa)
Hyrgrophila corybosa (senegal)
Myriophyllum spicatum (central africa)
Myriophyllum verticillum (africa)
Nesaea pedicellata (east africa)
Nesaea crassicaulis Africa)
Potamogeton perfoliatus (africa)
Potamogeton crispus (africa)
Potamogeton lucens (africa)
Potamogeton natans (africa)
Potamogeton malaianus (Africa)
Potamogeton schweinfurthii (africa)
STEM PLANTS
Ammannia gracillis (tropical africa)
Ammannia senegalensis (senegal)
Bacopa crenata (africa)
Bocopa monnieri (africa)
Lagarosiphon major (south africa)
Lagarosiphon muscoides (south africa)
Lagarosiphon cordofanus (africa)
Nitella gracilis (cosmopolitan)
Ranalisma humile (west africa)
Elatine macropoda (east africa)
Limnophila indica (africa)
Ranunculus delphinifolius pond plant
Zosterella dubia star grass
Otelia alismoides (tropical africa)
Lindernia parviflora (africa)
Lophotocarpus guyanensis (tropical africa)
REEDS
Sparganium ramosum
As always I tired to make a decent list of of fish and plants for you to use to research-Anne

[pufferdude]

thanks for writing this up!

[Grey Matter]

Ann Great post When I get the funds to set up a tank I now know where to get my info

[hooyeah]

very informative

[Anne]

South American plants
biotopic plant list

Alternanthera reineckii
Azolla filiculoides
Azolla caroliniana-Fairy moss
Bacopa australis
Bacopa lanigera-Hairy Water Hyssop
Bacopa myriophylloides
Cabomba aquatica
Cabomba caroliniana
Cabomba furcata
Ceratopteris pteridoides
Ceratopteris thalictroides
Ceratophyllum submersum
Echinodorus angustifolius
Echinodorus amazonicus-Amazon sword
Echinodorus aschersonianus
Echinodorus bleheri
Echinodorus berteroi
Echinodorus bolivianus
Echinodorus cordifolius-Radican sword
Echinodorus grandiflorus
Echinodorus grisebachii
Echinodorus horizontalis
Echinodorus isthmicus
Echinodorus latifolius
Echinodorus macrophyllus
Echinodorus magdalenensis
Echinodorus martii-Ruffled sword
Echinodorus opacus
Echinodorus osiris-Melon sword
Echinodorus palaefolius
Echinodorus paniculatus
Echinodorus parviflorus
Echinodorus portoalegrensis
Echinodorus quadricostatus-Cuban broad leaf chain
Echinodorus subalatus
Echinodorus tenellus-Narrow leaf chain sword
Echinodorus uruguayensis
Egeria densa-Elodea densa
Egeria najas-Elodea najas
Eichhornia azurea
Eichhornia crassipes-Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia diversifolia-Variable Leaf Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia hetrosperma
Eichhornia natans
Eleocharis acicularis-dwarf hairgrass,needle spike rush,hairgrass
Gymnocoronis spilanthoides-Senegal tea plant,temple plant,spade leaf plant
Heteranthera reniformis
Heteranthera zosterifolia-Stargrass
Hydrocleys martii
Hydrocleys nymphoides
Hydrocotyle leucocephala
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
Hydrocotyle verticillata
Hydrothix gardneri
Hygrophila guianensis
Lemna minor
Lilaeopsis brasiliensis
Lilaeopsis carolinensis-micro word
Ludwigia helminthorrhiza
Ludwigia inclinata
Ludwigia palustris-water primrose
Ludwigia sedoides
Mayaca fluviatillis
Myriophyllum aquatica
Myriophyllum mattogrossense
Najas conferta
Najas guadalupensis-guppy grass
Nitella flexilis-Stonewort,smooth stonewort
Nymphaea glandulfera
Nymphaea lotus
Nymphaea rudgeana
Nymphoides microphylla
Ottelia brasiliensis
Phyllanthus fluitans- Red root floater
Potamogeton acutifolius
Potamogeton gayi
Reussia rotundifolia
Sagittaria subulata-dwarf sag or narrow leaf Sag
Sagittaria lancifolia
Sagittaria montevidensis
Sagittaria subulata-dwarf sag or narrow leaf Sag
Salvinia molesta-Giant salvina
Salvinia cuccullata
Salvinia auriculata
Vallisneria americana v. 'Biwaensis'-corkscrew val

The below listed plants are considered cosmopolitan (found world wide)and may
be listed already
SIMPLE FLOATING PLANTS
Ricciocarpus natans (cosmopolitan)
Ricca fluitans (cosmopolitan)
Lemna gibba (cosmopolitan)
Lemna pauciocostata (cosompolitan)
Lemna minor (cosmopolitan)
Lemna Angolensis (cosmopolitan)
FERNS
Ceratopteris thailctroides (cosmopolitan)
Ceratopteris pteridoides (cosmopolitan)
Ceratophyllum submersum (cosmopolitan)
Ceratophyllum demersum
MOSSES
Riccia fluitans (cosmopolitan)
Leptodictyum riparium (cosmopolitan)
Riccia rhenana (cosmopolitan)
STEM PLANTS
Nitella gracilis (cosmopolitan)
PLANTS WITH LONG STEMS
Hydrilla verticillata (cosmopolitan)

[Wisdom16]

So which biotope does bichirs fit into?

[Anne]

They can fall into any of three depending on species of bichir
African Swamp would cover most,As would African river and West African River-Anne

[Anne]

Austrailian plants
Aponogeton hexatepalus(western Aus)
Aponogeton queenslandicus(Queensland)
Aponogeton elongatus( north,east and northwestern Aus)
Aponogeton bullosus(Queensland)
azolla filiculoides
Azolla pinnata-Water Velvet
Blyxa aubertii-Bamboo plant
Bocapa monnieri
Crassula helmsii-New Zealand Pygmyweed,Pygmy weed,Australian Swamp or New Zealand stonecrop
Elodea densa
Eleocharis acicularis
Eleocharis pusilla
Elodea canadensis
Eriocaulon Setaceum-Pipewort
Eusteralis stellata
Glossostigma elatinoides-Glosso
Hydrilla verticillata-hydrilla
Hydrocotyle vulgaris
Lemna minor
Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae-Microsword
Limnophila indica-Ambulia
Lobelia purpurascens
Ludwigia palustris
Marsilea crenata-Aquatic clover
Microcarpaea minima
Myriophyllum simulans-common milfoil
Ottelia alismoides
Salvinia molesta
Trapa natans
Utricularia aurea
Vallisnera nana
Vallisnera spiralis
The following are generaly accepted as worldwide in distribution(cosmopolitan)
SIMPLE FLOATING PLANTS
Ricciocarpus natans (cosmopolitan)
Ricca fluitans (cosmopolitan)
Lemna gibba (cosmopolitan)
Lemna pauciocostata (cosompolitan)
Lemna minor (cosmopolitan)
Lemna Angolensis (cosmopolitan)
FERNS
Ceratopteris thailctroides (cosmopolitan)
Ceratopteris pteridoides (cosmopolitan)
Ceratophyllum submersum (cosmopolitan)
Ceratophyllum demersum
MOSSES
Riccia fluitans (cosmopolitan)
Leptodictyum riparium (cosmopolitan)
Riccia rhenana (cosmopolitan)
STEM PLANTS
Alternanthera sessilis
Nitella gracilis (cosmopolitan)
PLANTS WITH LNG STEMS
Hydrilla verticillata (cosmopolitan)
Potamogeton acutifolius
Eichhornia crassipes-Water Hyacinth

As always this should be a good starting place for your research into Aus.biotopes