African River Biotope Log

[Bluesandtwo]

So.... the African ferns didn't work out and I ended up removing what was left of them. More anubias barteri nana and nana petite added to compensate.

The spider plants have done great. I've temporarily removed them as I'm experimenting with growing anubias barteri above the water line. Roots are under water and leafs exposed. I don't think it'll work as my house is not very humid... but we'll see. If the leafs crumble up to dust... I'll simply remove and add the spider plants back again.







Thoughts?

 

[Fishnerd360]

Maybe add some Crinum.

 

[TheBtchWhisperersWife]

Beautiful tank
I usually don't like to make suggestions about species, but....
If your water is neutral or slightly higher in pH these are some other small Afrians often overlooked and you might want to consider.
To me the genus Teleogramma with the species brichardi, or depressum are interesting.
Both are rheophillic and might do best with some extra current, which isn't a bad thing for african ferns.
The two above have been on my wish list for years.
Or ........the cichlids of Lake Barumbi mbo, of which I have kept a number
The genus Stomatepia with species S pindu, mariae, and mongo are active little predators that top out after a few years at @ 6-7"
In the photo below S pindu is above, and another Barumbi Mbu lake denizen is Sarotherodon linnellii.

The iridescent spots on the pindu face, are cephalic pits used to detect prey buried in sand and under leaf litter.
They did well with plants for me in a tank I dedicated to fish only from that lake.

A couple others from the lake are
S mariae (upper)and Konia eisentraudti (lower in the shot below

There is also a species from the lake that eats primarily freshwater sponges in nature, called Pungu macleranie (but takes well to aquarium pellets), and another species sometimes available called Myaka myaka.

It's funny that you mention Teleogramma and Stomatepia - One of my stricter "biotope" ish tanks was built for Teleogramma and I've housed S. pindu with them in the past. Teleogramma are probably best left out of a column set up for a few reasons - first, they're rheophilic and need high dissolved oxygen to thrive. While they intentionally avoid the current, providing a lot of current helps keep them from frequent and prolonged fighting. It's a lot easier to stay out of your rival's territory when it takes a bit of effort to get over there. Females can be vicious with each other and I've had females kill males who were too pushy about spawning on multiple occasions. I've also had females manage to raise and defend groups of fry in a tank with lots of potential predators. They're a really cool little fish and have earned the nickname "murder noodles" in my house. Stomatepia pindu are also really cool fish. They're relatively peaceful and not skittish at all. I've raised a few groups of fry from those. They're not the best at raising their own in captivity, but stripping females is almost too easy (seriously, they spit if you so much as poke them). My tank is planted with multiple varieties of anubias, bolbitis (likes current), crinum calmistratum, and Aponogeton boivianus. My congo tetras, unfortunately, like to nibble a lot of the plants, so it doesn't look quite as nice as this tank.

There are some really nice African barbs and tetras that are less common in the hobby and would make excellent planted-tank inhabitants, too.

 

[Bluesandtwo]

It's funny that you mention Teleogramma and Stomatepia - One of my stricter "biotope" ish tanks was built for Teleogramma and I've housed S. pindu with them in the past. Teleogramma are probably best left out of a column set up for a few reasons - first, they're rheophilic and need high dissolved oxygen to thrive. While they intentionally avoid the current, providing a lot of current helps keep them from frequent and prolonged fighting. It's a lot easier to stay out of your rival's territory when it takes a bit of effort to get over there. Females can be vicious with each other and I've had females kill males who were too pushy about spawning on multiple occasions. I've also had females manage to raise and defend groups of fry in a tank with lots of potential predators. They're a really cool little fish and have earned the nickname "murder noodles" in my house. Stomatepia pindu are also really cool fish. They're relatively peaceful and not skittish at all. I've raised a few groups of fry from those. They're not the best at raising their own in captivity, but stripping females is almost too easy (seriously, they spit if you so much as poke them). My tank is planted with multiple varieties of anubias, bolbitis (likes current), crinum calmistratum, and Aponogeton boivianus. My congo tetras, unfortunately, like to nibble a lot of the plants, so it doesn't look quite as nice as this tank.

There are some really nice African barbs and tetras that are less common in the hobby and would make excellent planted-tank inhabitants, too.

Another fantastic and very educational post, thank you!

I'm continuing to research my fish options still. Congo tetras were out of the picture from the beginning based on their reputation for nibbling plants - coupled with the small tank volume. The cycle should be finished by next weekend *fingers crossed* so will decide by then.

On the subject of current, I've added the skimmer which doubles up as a powerhead for the tank. Between that and the canister filter I have somewhere around x12 total volume turn over per hour (give or take)... So a reasonable current. I wouldn't say it was white water rapids turn over.. but certainly in inkeeping with the biotope of a riverside / flooded bank!

 

[Bluesandtwo]

So... the anubias barteri above the water line failed... so the spider plant has gone back in; of which it is booming in the aquaponics.

I've also added more anubias barteri nana along the back. I can't wait for it to flourish and fill the whole back up.

On the whole I'm very happy with it so far. To me, it looks like a true Congo riverside where the water has swelled over the bank.

 

[Jaguar.cic]

Cool lightening to eye.

 

[bobblehead27]

Wow! How much did that gorgeous piece of driftwood run you? If you don't mind me asking

 

[fishguy1978]

Love the tank. I wouldn't bother with CO2 with the anubius. I have Bolbitis and Java fern that came from a TC both took forever to transition and melted back significantly.

 

[Bluesandtwo]

Wow! How much did that gorgeous piece of driftwood run you? If you don't mind me asking

An eye watering £55! However I was after something quite specific and unusual... so knew I would have to pay good money for it.

 

[Bluesandtwo]

Love the tank. I wouldn't bother with CO2 with the anubius. I have Bolbitis and Java fern that came from a TC both took forever to transition and melted back significantly.

I'm sure the anubias would do just fine without the co2.. but I want it to prosper so don't mind the outlay.

I'm sure you are right about the African fern.. that if I had been more patient it would have eventually grown back after the transition.