SECOND QUARTER 2019 ■ VOLUME 3

TOP BIOTOPES
OF THE BADC

Tips for Coloring Up Male African Cichlids ■ Bamboo Shrimp

Potted Ponds ■ Freshwater Stingrays ■ And More
[Link]
F  eatures  Second Quarter 2019 ■ Vol. 3 Announcements
- Wish there were a reef magazine like AHM? There is! Reef Hobbyist
Magazine is available for FREE in the best local fish stores around the
country and online at [Link]!
6 February: A Biotope-Inspired,
Nature Aquarium-Style Display
A stunning and unique style of aquascape that AHM Sponsored Events
blends Nature Aquarium-style aquascaping (our latest issues are available at sponsored events)
and a Borneo biotope. Johnny Ciotti • North East Council of Aquarium Societies
April 12–14, Cromwell, CT – [Link]
• The Guppy Associates International Chicago Guppy Show
10 10 Tips for Coloring Up April 13–14, Addison, IL – [Link]
African Cichlids in an • AGA (Aquatic Gardeners Association) 2019 Convention
All-Male Show Tank May 2–5, Seattle, WA – [Link]
Get your male cichlids displaying their best
• The Michigan Guppy Breeders (MGB) Guppy Show
colors by following these tips. Lewis Osborne
May 18–19, Romulus, MI – [Link]
• The Gateway Guppy Associates (GGA) Guppy Show
18 Potted Ponds: June 8–9, Earth City, MO – [Link]
A Simple Piece of Nature
Have you ever wanted a pond but didn't have
the space? Then a potted pond might be the
Digital & Hard-Copy Subscriptions
Scan this QR code to sign up for your free digital subscription.
perfect solution! Adam Mullins
You will receive an alert every time a new issue is released and
have access to download every issue as a PDF. You can also sign
up for a hard-copy subscription for home delivery.
22 The 2018 Biotope
Aquarium Snapshots

Aquarium Design
Contest Want to Carry AHM in Your Store?
Attract more hobbyists to your store by offering Aquarium Hobbyist
Aquarists from around the world
Magazine to your customers! We educate hobbyists on new products,
competed in the Biotope Aquarium
husbandry techniques, and livestock. Plus, we never publish e-tailer
Design Contest. See what it takes
ads! Ask your livestock distributor to contact us, or contact one of our
to be the best in the world.
distributors below. You can also email us through the “Contact Us” tab
Oleg Labutov and Sergei Anikin
on our website to get stocked. Your customers will love it!
Cover image by Sun Kai
• Apet – [Link]
• All Seas Marine – [Link]
• Aquatropic – [Link]
30 Scaper Spotlight: Jen Williams • DFW Aquarium Supply – [Link]
An accomplished aquascaper is interviewed • Pan Ocean Aquarium – [Link]
about how she got started and offers new and • Poseidon Aquatics – [Link]
seasoned aquascapers valuable advice based • Quality Marine – [Link]
on her own experiences. Marie Gonzalez • Segrest Farms – [Link]

32 The Wild and Wonderful Visit Us on the Web

Freshwater Stingrays [Link]
of the Amazon • Read all back issues in the AHM archives for FREE.
A stingray breeder shares his secrets to keeping
• Sign up for a hard-copy subscription or FREE digital subscription.
these attractive and amazing fish. Tom Maguire
• Download and save issues in PDF.
• Find out about upcoming events in your area.
38 Ember Island • [Link]/aquariumhobbyistmagazine
Inspired by a river that runs through the • [Link]/aquariumhobbyistmagazine
author's city, this aquascape uses a perfect
balance of red and green plants, driftwood,
and rocks to create living art. Justin Leake
AHM Staff
Managing Editor Jason Oneppo
Executive Editor and Director of Advertising Harry T. Tung
44 An Introduction to Consulting Editor Jim Adelberg
Bamboo Shrimp Copy Editors Melinda Campbell, S. Houghton
Thinking about adding shrimp to your display?
The Bamboo Shrimp makes an active and Comments or suggestions? Contact us on our website!
interesting addition. Mari Puts
©2019 Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine. All rights reserved.

4 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

FEBRUARY:
A BIOTOPE-INSPIRED, NATURE AQUARIUM-STYLE DISPLAY 
By Johnny Ciotti

I
t's rare to see an aquarium design deliberately created to be
impermanent. Seldom do aquarists embrace the idea of an
Johnny Ciotti aquascape with an ever-changing look and behavior. With this
scape, I wanted to do just that, by embracing the ephemeral nature
Johnny is a creative director and marketing strategist from Los of the original inspiration. Borneo is in a constant state of flux, with
Angeles, CA, and has been a serious hobbyist since 1994. Check out seasonal dry spells from March to October and intense rainfall and
his latest creations on his Instagram, “johnnyciotti.” rough water in December and January, which are now exaggerated

6 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

 Kubotai Rasboras

The Bucephalandra grows among Rotala and moss. Snakeskin Barbs are schooling fish that are less aggressive than other barbs.

by encroaching habitat destruction and deforestation. This aquar-

ium was inspired by the journey of a few clumps of Bucephalandra
that had become dislodged by seasonal flooding, flowed down-
stream, and eventually were caught on an outcropping of rock. These
clumps would otherwise be above the ripples in the water some-
where far from home. In this display, nestled between leaf litter and
driftwood, Bucephalandra grows among Rotala, Nymphaea, moss,
and other regional plants, with a school of Kubotai Rasboras and
a few handsome Snakeskin Barbs joining them in the tea-stained,
shimmering water.

I believe that botanicals coupled with aquatic plants will be the next
big trend in the hobby. Biotope-inspired variants of traditional Nature
Aquarium-style displays are becoming more attainable thanks to
companies like Tropica, Ultum Nature Systems, and BucePlant,
who are offering tissue-cultured plants of formerly rare and/or diffi-
cult cultivars, and Tannin Aquatics, who is curating and providing
high-quality exotic botanicals.

Aquarium
Tank: ADA Cube Garden 60-H
Leaf litter breaks down over time and adds tannins to the water.
Dimensions: 24″ × 12″ × 18″

[Link] February: A Biotope-Inspired, Nature Aquarium-Style Display • 7

 Snakeskin Barbs

Glass: low iron ‒‒ wipe down internal aquarium glass

Volume: 22 gallons ‒‒ brush filter pipes
‒‒ scrub rocks (if needed)
Aquascape ‒‒ trim plants
‒‒ touch up sand
Title: February
Fertilizers: 1 pump of All In One Plant Food by Ultum Nature
Style: biotope inspired, Nature Aquarium
Systems every other day
Substrate: ADA Bacter 100, ADA Tourmaline BC (bamboo
Additives: Seachem Equilibrium
charcoal), ADA Sarawak Sand, Ultum Nature Controsoil Black
Feeding: a variety of food daily
Stone: hand-collected volcanic rock
Wood: ADA Black Wood (a gift from Mr. Takashi Amano)
Botanicals: magnolia leaves, Artocarpus leaves
Plants
‒‒ Bucephalandra sp.
Equipment ‒‒ Cryptocoryne parva
‒‒ Nymphaea sp.
Lighting: Custom NanoBox Reef Duo, 8-hour photoperiod
‒‒ Cryptocoryne cordata var. Siamensis 'Rosanervig'
Filter: Hydor Professional 250 canister
‒‒ Rotala sp. 'Vietnam H’ra'
Filter Media: AQUARIO Neo Media Pure
‒‒ Mini Christmas Moss
Filter Pipes: Do!aqua Violet Glass outflow pipe,
‒‒ Java Moss
VIV glass inflow pipe
Heating: Hydor ETH (200 watts, inline)
CO2: Ultum Nature Systems Mini CO2 Regulator,
Fish
AQUARIO Neo Diffuser M ‒‒ Kubotai Rasbora (Microdevario kubotai)
Sterilizer: TWINSTAR M5 algae inhibitor ‒‒ Snakeskin Barb (Desmopuntius rhomboocellatus)

Maintenance Invertebrates
‒‒ perform 50 percent water change twice a week with remineral- ‒‒ Neocaridina sp.
ized reverse-osmosis water ‒‒ Caridina multidentata AH

8 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

 This Nymphaea sp. grew from a bulb
that was placed in the substrate.

Snakeskin Barbs like to

hang out in shaded areas.

These Caridina multidentata are feeding

on algae growing on the volcanic rock.

[Link] February: A Biotope-Inspired, Nature Aquarium-Style Display • 9

 Male Peacock Cichlids ■ Andrej Jakubík
10 Tips for Coloring Up African Cichlids
IN AN ALL-MALE SHOW TANK 
By Lewis Osborne

A
frican cichlids are some of the most diverse and colorful I’ve kept and bred African cichlids for 4 years, and to me, their main
freshwater fishes in the world. There are over 700 species, draw is their vibrant colors. Some of the most colorful freshwater
which mostly inhabit three lakes in Africa: Lake Malawi, Lake aquariums are carefully composed of all male “peacocks” and “haps,”
Tanganyika, and Lake Victoria. These cichlids come in all shapes and African cichlids from Lake Malawi. Whether they are stocked with
sizes and can live over 10 years in a home aquarium when given peacocks, haps, or a combination of the two, these all-male show
the proper care. tanks can make for a very colorful and eye-catching display. In this
article, I'll share my top 10 tips for coloring up these fish.

1. Choose Appropriate Tank Sizes: An important factor in

maximizing the color of African cichlids is keeping them in an
Lewis Osborne appropriately sized tank. These fish are more aggressive than
tropical community fish and require adequate tank space to
Lewis resides in Canonsburg, PA, and has been in the hobby since establish territories when more than one male is present in a tank.
2015. He is an African cichlid enthusiast who shares aquarium tips For example, when breeding peacock cichlids, a 29-gallon tank will
on his YouTube channel, Cichlidscape. suffice. However, when keeping an all-male show tank, which is

10 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

 This large all-male show tank has a mix of peacocks and haps. ■ Tuncay Celik

A breeding group of peacocks in a 29-gallon aquarium This wide tank is 135 gallons and measures 66″ × 20” × 24” ■ Vlad Aqua

the most common way to keep peacocks, a 4-foot-long, 55-gallon

aquarium should be the minimum. A 75-gallon aquarium with a 48”
× 18” footprint is commonly used when keeping an all-male peacock
show tank, while a 6-foot-long, 125-gallon aquarium is commonly
used when keeping a mix of peacocks and haps, which can grow
to 7 inches and 15 inches, respectively. It is advisable to go as big
as you can when housing some of the more aggressive species of
African cichlids. This will help with neutralizing aggression and also
enable multiple territories to be established within the tank, leading
to more colorful males.

2. Buy the Fish Young: If possible, buy your African cichlids when A group of young peacocks that has not yet started to show color
they are young. You’ll want to do your research on compatibility, but
once you know which species of fish you would like for the tank, it
is beneficial to buy them when they are juveniles. This is important,
as they are likely to get along better in an all-male show tank if they
have grown up together. Buying juveniles also saves you money,
which is an extra bonus! Buying them young will provide you with
the opportunity to watch them grow and color up into spectacular
fish over time, which for me is the most rewarding aspect of keeping
African cichlids.

3. Sex the Fish: When possible, determine the sex of the fish for
sale so that you only add males to your all-male cichlid tank. Peacock
and hap males will show the most vibrant coloration, whereas
A young 2-inch male Red Top Lwanda Peacock starting to show color
the females will be dull in color. If you are buying juveniles, these

[Link] 10 Tips for Coloring Up African Cichlids in an All-Male Show Tank • 11

 Male Star Sapphire Hap

Male Redfin Hap (Copadichromis borleyi 'Kadango') ■ Elena Podolnaya

A breeding group of Blue Neon Peacocks

Female Redfin Hap (Copadichromis borleyi 'Kadango') ■ Elena Podolnaya

Male Female differences may not be evident until the fish reach sexual maturity.
One of the most accurate ways to identify the sex of a cichlid is a
practice commonly known as venting, which involves examining
the fish’s underbelly. Males will have two openings of the same size
(an anus and a vent), whereas females will have a smaller opening
(the anus) and a larger opening (the vent), from which they excrete
their eggs. With experience, you will be able to determine the sex of
some species as early as 3 to 4 months of age with a high degree
An illustration showing the difference in
Juvenile Blue Neon Peacock vents between male and female cichlids
of accuracy.

4. Acclimate Properly: When putting a new fish into your tank, the
Dimming the lights helps reduce aggression during the acclimation process. key is to let it adjust to its new surroundings and tank mates slowly.
Many hobbyists monitor their new fish too often, turning the lights
on and off to look at the fish repeatedly. This spooks the new fish
and can lead to more stress, which can result in a loss of appetite,
infections, and even death. This is even more important when buying
wild-caught fish, as these fish aren’t used to being in a fish tank
with see-through walls. Give them time, feed sparingly, and leave
the tank lights off so they can slowly explore their new environment.

5. Feed Quality Food: An African cichlid’s diet is especially

important and can greatly affect the fish’s coloration, fins, and
body composition over time. Peacocks in particular require a well-
balanced diet that includes both animal and plant proteins. Different
varieties of haps have different dietary needs, but most of them are

12 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

 Male New Yellow Regal Peacock (Aulonocara baenschi) ■ Greg Steeves

Female New Yellow Regal Peacock (Aulonocara baenschi) ■ Greg Steeves

Providing shelter can help with the acclimation process.

A male Blue-faced Peacock displaying vibrant colors

[Link] 10 Tips for Coloring Up African Cichlids in an All-Male Show Tank • 13

 piscivores, meaning they eat other fish. A prevalent disease that
affects African cichlids and may be related to diet is Malawi Bloat,
which results in abdominal swelling, among other symptoms. While
there is disagreement on the cause of this disease, it is believed that
some African cichlids have narrower and longer digestive tracts,
which become compacted more easily than in other tropical fish.
Fish that contract Malawi Bloat can die from the blockage in a matter
of weeks or even days. To help prevent this, use high quality foods
that meet the dietary requirements of the varieties of cichlids you are
keeping. The foods that I have found to be great for coloration are
Omega One Super Color Flakes and also the regular cichlid formula
from NorthFin. I have also used New Life Spectrum’s cichlid formula
in the past, which seemed to work well and provide my peacocks
with a good staple food for day-to-day feeding.

6. Maintain Optimal Water Quality: Clean water enhances cichlids’

color, growth, overall health, and disease resistance. When setting
up the tank, make sure you choose a filter that is rated for a tank the
next size up from the one you’re setting up, since cichlids can be
messy eaters. Next, be sure to set your water parameters precisely
for the fish you will be keeping—in this case, hard, alkaline water.
And lastly, and maybe most importantly, do regular water changes.
Water changes are beneficial for all of your tank’s inhabitants, so it’s
no surprise that you hear of fish breeders constantly doing partial
water changes. Monitoring nitrate levels is the easiest way to see
if the frequency and volume of your water changes are sufficient.
Remember to precisely adjust the parameters of the water you are
adding for the water changes.

7. Do Not Keep Mature Females in an All-Male Show Tank: The

behavior of African cichlids is very different when they’re segregated
by sex as opposed to being kept in groups for breeding. When being
kept in breeding groups, smaller, less-dominant males who may
have started to show hints of coloration will cease to do so as the
aggressive tendencies of larger, dominant males will be heightened
due to the presence of a female in the tank, especially when she is
about to drop eggs. This will cause unwanted stress for the less-
dominant males in the tank, as the dominant males will chase every
fish that comes near his territory or his female. As a result, less-
dominant males that were in the process of coloring up will dim
down in order to show that they are not presenting a threat to the
dominant male. I have even seen some males pretend to be females
and do the breeding dance with the dominant male in order to stop
being chased. If you haven’t seen this dance, you can find videos of
it on YouTube. When a female is present in an all-male show tank,
the only remedy is to find another home for the female. When faced
with this situation in the past, I have usually been able to find a local
breeder or fish store that would take the female, or I would simply
house her in a different aquarium.

8. Separate If Necessary: When keeping African cichlids, it is

recommended to have a quarantine tank for fish in case they get
nipped or beaten up by other fish in the tank. Although it isn’t
incredibly common, it can happen, especially if you add a colored-up
male to an established tank. A quarantine tank is also occasionally
useful when you think a young male has potential but is not showing
great coloration due to larger, more dominant males in the tank. If
you separate the young male and put him into an environment with
some rock structures that he can claim territory over, he will soon

14 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

 start showing more color as he becomes comfortable
in the tank. Feed him well, provide frequent water
changes, and watch his color intensify! You can then
reintroduce him to the show tank when you think
he is ready, although when you do, make sure the
lights are turned off. This leads us to our next point:
lighting!

9. Adjust Your Lighting Schedule: This practice

has helped me incredibly when adding fish to
an aquarium and also for minimizing aggressive
tendencies between long-time tank mates. When
adding fish to an aquarium, I have found it beneficial
to have the aquarium lights off for an extended
period of time. This obviously affects the fish’s ability
to see. The inhabitants of the tank can’t see the new
fish as well, so aggression is reduced. When using
These two male peacocks are being housed separately from lighting in a general day-to-day way, I never have my
the main display in a 29-gallon aquarium with divider.
aquarium lighting on unless I am viewing or feeding
the fish. This enables me to better minimize the fish’s
The Ruby Crystal Peacock is a hybrid species.
aggressive behavior. I use a separate light on a timer
inside the room, which dimly lights the tank. This is
on no longer than 6 hours per day, usually from 6 p.m.
to 12 a.m. I usually turn my tank lighting on at around
11 p.m. so they can eat before the room light goes
off around midnight. I have found that this greatly
reduces aggression, which in turn has helped with
the overall health and coloration of my fish. A relaxed
and comfortable male African cichlid is more likely
to be well colored up. This lighting technique, in my
opinion, really helps with that.

10. Give It Time and Be Patient: Last, but not least,

enjoy the process and be patient! These fish are truly
awesome, and the change you will see in the males
over time is breathtaking. Although it is common for
hobbyists to purchase fully colored-up males, it is
my opinion that you will encounter more aggression
issues if you go that route. In addition, you will also
miss out on the beautiful transformation that male
The author uses this male Blue Neon Peacock (Aulonocara stuartgranti) for breeding.
African cichlids go through as they mature and
slowly color up. For instance, my favorite fish right
now is one of my Blue Neon Peacock (Aulonocara
stuartgranti) males that I have bred and grown out.
He is slowly turning into a beautiful specimen, and
to watch his color intensify over the last 3 months
has been delightful. Purchasing fully grown males
is great, but for me, it is the journey of acquiring
them as juveniles and witnessing the transformation
these fish go through as they mature that is the most
rewarding part of the African cichlid hobby.

By following the 10 tips above, you should have

success coaxing the best colors out of your male
peacocks and haps. If done properly, you will have
an aquarium that will rival a marine aquarium for its
beauty and color. The reds, blues, and yellows will
give a brilliant contrast of colors that will allow you
to enjoy your fish with a great sense of pride. AH

16 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

18 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019
 POTTED PONDS:
A SIMPLE PIECE OF NATURE
By Adam Mullins

A
s a traveling fish nerd, I often seek to sate my aquaria other cultures, but seeing these simple “pots” of water with
appetite in the standard ways: ogling lobby fish tanks at plants and fish throughout Thailand, elegant in their simplicity
hotels and restaurants, visiting public aquariums (as I’ve and pervasive in number, became a constant obsession of mine
written about before in Reef Hobbyist Magazine), scuba diving, as I traveled around the country. I loved them so much that I
or imagining ways I could create healthier displays in the live- vowed to create one when I returned home.
fish markets while being amazed at the variety of creatures
collected for consumption. However, on my last trip abroad to The original fish “tank” is the pond. Ponds are primal. Anyone
Thailand, a few unique styles of fish tanks really caught my eye. could make one with their bare hands just by digging a pit in
the ground or by damming a stream. They could then stock it
It wasn’t long into my first day before I started noticing these with native plants and fish of their choice, some of which to
water gardens in pots, seemingly everywhere: restaurants, farm for sustenance (primordial pantries, so to speak). Some
storefronts, markets, and often most beautifully, at the various were surely kept as a meal for a future date, but others, we
temples that are so prevalent in Thailand. Some of the best parts must propose, must’ve been kept for their aesthetic beauty and
of traveling are the unexpected surprises that come with visiting mystery. Thus, the beauty of ponds became divine, and water
features became an integral part of many holy places, temples,
churches, and public spaces.

The simplicity of potted-pond design and execution explains

Adam Mullins their prevalence. In a tropical country with abundant rain and
year-round stable temperatures, one simply has to leave a pot
Adam is a lifelong freshwater and reef aquarium hobbyist and or container unattended, and through sheer environmental
is a co-owner of The Mystic Reef, a fish store in Riverside, CA. conditions, it will naturally fill itself and become inundated with

[Link] Potted Ponds: A Simple Piece of Nature • 19

 various airborne algae or plants. However, with the human touch, it
can become an easy and beautiful garden feature.

Most everyone loves water gardens, but they are not very feasible in
most living situations, which lack the physical space for an in-ground
pond. Potted ponds offer a viable alternative to showcase a humble
piece of nature in even the tiniest of spaces, such as condo patios or
even apartment balconies. The size is really only limited by available
space, and in Thailand, I saw some that were upwards of 6 feet
long and a few feet deep, though most were around 24 inches in
diameter or less.

The execution of one of these displays really is as simple as filling a

vessel with water and letting nature do the rest. I created my first
one with an old pot I had lying around in my backyard.

The average pot has a drain hole in the bottom, which needs to be
plugged, but that’s often as simple as using an old wine cork, which
may need to be shaved down to fit. If you don’t happen to have a
cork lying around, you can opt for a more permanent silicone seal.

Like any aquarium, there will be some cycling (nitrogen cycle)

required to prepare the water for animals, so it’s definitely not
recommended to add livestock immediately. Adding a nitrifying
bacteria supplement like Brightwell Aquatics MicrōBacter can
greatly expedite the cycling process. If using tap water, condition the
All the necessary supplies to start a potted pond next to
the author's established pot: an empty pot, wine cork,
water first by using a product that removes chlorine and chloramine
and some water plants from the local garden center. and detoxifies ammonia, such as Seachem Prime or Kordon AmQuel.
I waited for my water to naturally develop some algae, and then
once I saw some mosquito larvae (an indication that at least some
sort of life was sustainable in there), I added a few guppies, which
promptly consumed the larvae. Using an air pump with an air stone
at this time can speed up the cycling process by adding oxygen and
circulation to promote nitrification.

Placement is key with a potted pond, especially if growing plants is

a goal. The amount of sunlight the pond is exposed to will drastically
affect the temperature, algae growth, and plant growth. These types
of features are obviously meant to be viewed from above and in
natural light, which can make the most mundane guppy shimmer
like a rainbow.

Potted ponds make a perfect showcase for aquatic plants that are
often excluded from smaller spaces. These beautiful plants include
floating lilies and lotus flowers, cattails, water lettuce, duckweeds,
and a variety of other aquatic plants, some of which are even edible!

For my first potted pond, I simply walked down to my local duck

pond and collected some reedy grasses and duckweed. If you
choose this route, make sure you’re not violating local environmental
laws or trespassing. Also, just like with our aquariums, introducing
wild creatures opens up the possibility of adding pests or diseases,
though often with less consequence than if we introduce them to a
fully stocked aquarium. In my case, the duckweed quickly overtook
the entire surface of my pot, which can have the detrimental effect
of blocking light and oxygen for underwater plants and fish. Another
aquatic pest to be wary of is the dreaded apple snail, which when
given the opportunity, can multiply to plague proportions and be
damaging to aquatic plants.

20 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

There are a few common aquarium plants that would be perfect
for this little outdoor display: the hardy Java Fern, being a prime
underwater candidate for filtration and oxygenation, and the lotus,
being a highly desirable floating, flowering example.

Some caution should be used when stocking, since the only filtration
will be provided by plants, algae, and a bacterial biofilm that will coat
interior surfaces of the pot. Guppies, goldfish, and mosquitofish are
perfect candidates due to their tolerances for shifts in water quality
as well as temperature, though other less-common species can
be added as well. Small shrimps will do exceptionally well in an
established potted pond with plants.
The bottom drain hole of the pot has been corked.
Maintenance is as simple as topping off the water level and occa-
sionally feeding the fish. In an established potted pond with plants,
a small fish population can naturally sustain itself. Depending on
climate, however, it may be necessary to add a heater or bring your
livestock indoors when temperatures drop in the winter.

A small pump can also be added with a variety of attachments to

create a decorative water feature like water bells or spouts in the
pond, but in my opinion, that detracts from the simple beauty of
these creations: the reflective aspect of the still water surface. For
the record, I didn’t see any in Thailand using a pump.

Overall, I still love my little potted pond after having it set up for about
a year now, long enough to witness the changes in seasons and the
prolific reproduction of the duckweed. While my first was a “wild”
setup, my next one will be a bit more manicured, with the intention
of flowering some spring to summer lilies. The low maintenance
aspect really makes me appreciate its simplicity, especially when
compared to other tanks I keep and maintain, and it allows me to
These prepacked water-lily bulbs are ready for planting
bring aspects of my indoor hobby outdoors, which seems pretty in the established pond until the new pond cycles.
ironic, come to think of it. AH

The pair of water ponds ready for spring!

[Link] Potted Ponds: A Simple Piece of Nature • 21

  HE 2018
T Submerged forest in Atabapo basin of
Colombia, 57th Place ■ Hsu Hung Hsiao

BIOTOPE AQUARIUM
DESIGN CONTEST
Introduction by Oleg Labutov and Sergei Anikin

I
n September 2018, entries for the 8th Biotope Aquarium
Design Contest were accepted. On December 1st, after
the members of the jury evaluated the entries, the results
of the contest were published online. By taking part in this
unique contest, the participants contributed to promoting
biotope aquaria. After participants researched the biotope
of their choice, they set out to replicate it and show the
beauty of the natural underwater world and the organisms
that inhabit it.

Every year, the number of aquarists and countries repre-

sented in the competition increases. In 2018, we received a Subin River, shallow grassy river
record number of entries: 135 applications from 43 countries. bank area, Usumacinta drainage,
Once the entries were ranked, we published our magazine, Guatemala, 8th Place ■ Lee Nuttall

50 Best Biotope Aquaria, featuring the top 50 biotopes.

It is our opinion that the contest has significantly influenced

the popularization of biotope aquariums around the world,
which is important in raising awareness of the problems that
threaten the natural habitats of aquatic organisms, many of
which are endangered. We hope you enjoy these award-win-
ning examples of biotope aquaria, and we invite you to visit
our website to see all of the other entries from this year’s
contest.

What is a biotope aquarium? It is a man-made ecosys-

tem in an aquarium created on the basis of knowledge from
the research of a natural biotope. Elements of the environ-
ment and living organisms should be selected correctly
and grouped from the point of view of design, viability, and
belonging to a biotope.

To see all of the biotope aquariums

entered into this year's contest,
visit [Link] or scan
this QR code.

Oleg Labutov and Sergei Anikin

Oleg lives in Peterhof, Saint Petersburg, Russia, and has been

in the hobby since 1999. He has studied biotopes since he
was a child, when he would catch newts and aquatic insects.

Serghei lives in Roslavl in the Smolensk region, Russian

Blackwater stream, Batu Pahat,
Federation. He started in the hobby in 1993 when his mother Johor Peatland of Southwest
gave him the book Aquarium of an Amateur by Nikolay Peninsular Malaysia, 37th Place
■ Mohamad Zul Aizad
Zolotnitsky.

22 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

 Frontosa Reef, Lake Tanganyika, Africa, Kollwe Point,
Cape Mpimbwe, 112th Place ■ Sergey Kovalev

Brazil, Rio Negro, flooded

forest at the source of a
small igarapé in Cambeua,
25th Place ■ Bogdan Oleynik

[Link] The 2018 Biotope Aquarium Design Contest • 23

Banks of the Espinillo Creek in the Dry Season, Magdalena, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Aquascaper: Walter Vázquez Fish
Location: Argentina
Astyanax stenohalinus, Chameleon Cichlid (Australoheros facetus),
Award: 1st Place, Golden Trophy
Bryconamericus iheringii, Peppered Cory Cat (Corydoras paleatus),
Gymnogeophagus meridionalis, Pimelodella Catfish (Pimelodella
Aquarium laticeps)
Volume: ~143 gallons
Dimensions: ~59″ × 24″ × 24″ The Biotope in Nature
Area Surrounding the Biotope: The Espinillo Creek is a tributary
Aquascape of the Río de la Plata, located in the Magdalena district, province
Materials: All the materials used in this aquarium, such as the of Buenos Aires, in the Argentine Republic. In general, it is fed by
substrate, wood, vegetable detritus, stones, rocks, empty shells of rain in the fall and spring that also contributes to the groundwater
snails and bivalves, and plants, were collected from the aquatic in some areas of the basin. The Espinillo Creek has the peculiarity
ecosystem. They were arranged to imitate the chosen biotope and that its middle section develops the “Cañada de Arregui,” a group
likewise allow me to maintain and learn more about it through a of poor drainage areas, interconnected by more depressed areas. In
biotope aquarium at home. The substrate is fine sand with a silt/clay its middle sector, it forms a flat depression, permanently flooded—
consistency and brown color. In it, you can find ground-up shells and the lagoon of Arregui. In its surroundings, you can also find diverse
deposits of vegetable detritus with remains of wood, brush, thistles, terrestrial fauna. Many species of birds inhabit the place, such as
and grass that fall from the fields that surround the creek. Ciconia maguari, Cisne coscoroba, Pseudoleistes virescens, and
Plants: Ceratophyllum demersum, Schoenoplectus californicus, Sturnella superciliaris. The area is also inhabited by populations of
Ranunculus apiifolius Myocastor coypus (a rodent), which make their caves and nests
along the banks of the creek and in the reed beds. The contribu-
Equipment tion of plant detritus in the Espinillo Creek generally comes from the
grasslands and bushes that surround it. However, the scarce slope
‒‒ (2) Atman AT-3338 canister filter with biological and
of the creek causes the water to stagnate during the dry season and
mechanical media
increase in transparency, which favors the development of numerous
‒‒ (3) 6,000 K LED light fixture
submerged and floating plants. Snails from the genus Gundlachia
and the family Ampullariidae, such as Pomacea canaliculata, can be
Water Parameters found among the vegetation. It is common to find a good amount
Turbidity: clear pH: 8.0 of empty shells of the latter-mentioned species because they are a
Temperature: ~68° F Carbonate Hardness: 10° food source for several species of birds that live in the vicinity of the

24 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

creek. There are also abundant cladocerans (Daphnia) and cope-
pods, as well as dipterous (fly) larvae.

Underwater Landscape of the Biotope: The creek is approxi-

mately 18.6 miles long, with an average approximate depth of 23 to
27 inches in its deepest part during the dry season. It flows into the
Río de la Plata. It is slow flowing, and the clarity of the water varies
according to the zones and the amount of water that it drags. During
periods of heavy rain, it can overflow and flood the surrounding
fields. It has a scarcely sloping channel. The substrate is charac-
terized by the predominance of silt/clay sediments, with abundant
organic detritus. The edges are determined by small ravines.

Parameters: Its water is slightly alkaline, with a pH of 8 and a

the family Heptapteridae, such as Pimelodella Catfish (Pimelodella
carbonate hardness of 10° due largely to the calcareous substrate
laticeps) (Eigenmann, 1917). Also, crustaceans are found in large
(tosca). The hardness and conductivity of the water can fluctuate
quantities, such as Palaemonetes argentinus (Nobili, 1901), a species
depending on the land it crosses, due to contributions from the
of caridean shrimp. In the rainy season, the species of fish that
groundwater that in some cases can be strongly mineralized. The
inhabit this creek diminish considerably due to the low temperatures
temperature of the water during the dry season (in the middle of
(less than 50° F) that reach its waters and, perhaps also, due to the
March) was measured at 71.6° F. The nitrite measured 0 mg/L, and
great sedimentation that drags the system at this time of the year.
the nitrate measured 12.5 mg/L. These values were surveyed with
aquarium test kits.
Native Plants: Schoenoplectus californicus, associated with other
marsh plants such as Typha domingensis and Solanum malacoxylon,
Native Fish and Invertebrates: The waters of this creek have
are found along the creek. Among the submerged or floating plants
good aquatic diversity that is abundant during the dry season. Fish
are Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum elatinoides, Potamogeton
of the Characidae family can be found, such as Astyanax stenohali-
striatus, Potamogeton sp., Chara sp., Lemnaceae, Ludwigia peploides,
nus (Messner, 1962), Bryconamericus iheringii (Boulenger, 1887), and
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides, and Ranunculus apiifolius.
Oligosarcus oligolepis (Steindachner, 1867); Crenuchidae family, such
as Characidium rachovii (Regan, 1913); Cichlidae family, such as the
Chameleon Cichlid (Australoheros facetus) (Jenyns, 1842), Crenicichla
scottii (Eigenmann, 1907), and Gymnogeophagus meridionalis (Reis Scan this QR Scan this QR
and Malabarba, 1988); Erythrinidae family, such as Trahira (Hoplias code to learn code to see a
malabaricus) (Bloch, 1794); Callichthyidae family, such as Peppered more about this video of this
Cory Cats (Corydoras paleatus) (Jenyns, 1842); and also species of amazing biotope. amazing biotope.

[Link] The 2018 Biotope Aquarium Design Contest • 25

Stream of Mount Lao After a Rain in Summer, Qingdao, China
Aquascaper: Sun Kai as the first mountain in the sea. Due to the temperate monsoon
Location: China climate, there is a big temperature difference in the Lushan area
Award: 2nd Place, Silver Trophy throughout the year, with the majority of rainfall occurring in the
summer. In the spring, many Chinese Wingnut Trees (Pterocarya
Aquarium stenoptera) will germinate in the dry river bed where the seeds settle,
and when the summer rains come, the fragile saplings in the center
Volume: ~85 gallons Dimensions: ~47″ × 23″ × 18″
of the river will be washed downstream by the currents and stick
in rock piles. As a fish and natural aquatic environment lover, snor-
Aquascape keling to see fish is one of my biggest hobbies. In the second week
Materials: stream sand and stone, Pterocarya stenoptera wood after the torrential rains, the water flow gradually stabilizes, which
and leaves is the best time to observe the fish.
Plants: Phragmites australis
Underwater Landscape of the Biotope: As a biotope aquar-
Equipment ium lover living and working in Qingdao for a long time, I always
want to find opportunities to show the amazing underwater world
Lighting: (2) 50-watt LED fixture
around me to my fellow hobbyists around the world. I also want to
Filtration: Eheim Classic 600 canister filter
show our charming natural streams to local people in Qingdao so
they can understand that the beauty of nature is ubiquitous and
Water Parameters deserves our care. I love the gobies, and I am particularly fasci-
Temperature: 78.8° F nated by Rhinogobius brunneus. I am very fortunate to have this
pH: 6.5 beautiful species living around me. Creating a stream biotope
General Hardness: 1° tank to keep Rhinogobius brunneus has always been my plan. The
stream of Mount Lao is the main destination for my snorkeling in
Livestock the summer. In only a few days after a heavy rain, I was shocked
to observe the booming biological community there. All the newly
Fish: Amur Goby (Rhinogobius brunneus), Opsariichthys bidens,
broken Pterocarya stenoptera were washed down and stuck together
Stone Moroko (Pseudorasbora parva)
by the powerful water. Dried Pterocarya stenoptera leaves became
Invertebrates: river snail (Cipangopaludina cathayensis)
waterlogged and then stayed on the bottom of the stream. The
Phragmites australis growing along the shore expanded enthusias-
The Biotope tically. Opsariichthys bidens were constantly challenging the rapids,
Area Surrounding the Biotope: Mount Lao is the most famous looking for prey. Male Rhinogobius brunneus were shuttling through
mountain range in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. It is known the pebbles dexterously and sometimes ostentatiously displaying

26 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

their dorsal fins to show off in order to attract a female. Although
the stream was chilly after the heavy rain, I was just too fascinated
to leave, as almost a part of this community, completely integrated
into nature. At that time, I could hear my heart asking: isn’t this the
best aquascaping inspiration? In order to represent the real natural
scene of the aquascape, all the materials were hand-collected from
the very stream, including the branches of Pterocarya stenoptera.

Parameters: Although there aren't hot summers in Qingdao, there

are severe winters. The average annual temperature in Qingdao is
54.1° F. In January, the coldest month, the average temperature is
30.4° F. The hottest month is August, and the average temperature is
77.5° F. The extreme minimum temperature in the past 100 years was
1.6° F on January 10, 1931, while the extreme maximum temperature
appeared in 2002 on July 15, when it reached 102° F. The air is humid,
the rainfall is abundant, the temperature is moderate, and the four
seasons are distinct. In spring, due to its proximity to the coast, the
temperature rises slowly, one month later than inland. The summer
is hot and humid, but very hot days are rare. The autumn is windy
and cool, the precipitation is low, and the evaporation is strong. The
winter wind is cool to cold and the duration is long.

Native Fish and Invertebrates: Rhinogobius brunneus,

Opsariichthys bidens, Pseudorasbora parva, Cipangopaludina
cathayensis

Native Plants: Phragmites australis

Scan this QR Scan this QR

code to learn code to see a
more about this video of this
amazing biotope. amazing biotope.

[Link] The 2018 Biotope Aquarium Design Contest • 27

Rocky Shallow Water. The Confluence of the Rivers Kumaradhara and Netravati,
Near the City of Uppinangadi, Karnataka, India
Aquascaper: Sergey Lobanov Fish
Location: Russia
‒‒ Canara Pearlspot (Etroplus canarensis)
Award: 3rd Place, Bronze Trophy
The Biotope in Nature
Aquarium
Area Surrounding the Biotope: The confluence (junction) of
Volume: ~198 gallons Dimensions: ~59″ × 39″ × 20″
the Kumaradhara and Netravati Rivers takes place near the town
of Uppinangadi. Subsequently, the Netravati River flows into the
Aquascape Arabian Sea. The Netravati originates from the Kudremukh moun-
In my aquarium, I used materials taken from nature similar in form, tain range, which is part of the Western Ghats. This river is the main
texture, and color to those presented in the natural biotope shown source of water in Bantval and Mangalore. The Kumaradhara River
in the video linked at the end of this article. These were rounded also originates from the Western Ghats, the Subramania region.
river stones of various sizes, taken from the fast-flowing Siberian During the monsoon rains, the water level rises significantly and
River; roots and branches, mainly poplar and willow; and the fallen floods occur periodically; the last one occurred in 1974.
leaves of willow and fruit trees (the foliage, of course, is temporary,
decaying within a couple of weeks). Dark sand from the local reser- Underwater Landscape of the Biotope: The underwater land-
voir was used for the top layer of substrate, and volcanic lava rock scape of the biotope consists of a large amount of driftwood, tree
was used as a substrate for making the ground level higher. roots, alluvial (loose) rocks, different sizes from large, rounded
boulders to small pebbles, and litter from fallen leaves. The main
Equipment substrate is dark brown silty sand.
Filtration: ~100-gallon sump, mechanical filtration (coarse and
Parameters: This biotope tends to change throughout the year.
fine sponges), biological filtration (bio-balls and Eheim Substrat
In the dry season, the water is completely clear (low turbidity)
Pro), Eheim Universal 1260 water pump (~600 gal/h), (2) UniStar
and rich in dissolved oxygen, slowly flowing over the stony and
powerhead (~528 gal/h) with mechanical filter (large-pore sponge)
sandy substrate. During the period of monsoon rains, the depth
Heating: Eheim Jager (300 watts)
and flow rate increase significantly, the temperature decreases
Lighting: (4) 10-watt, 6,500 K LED fixtures
(to 68–73.4° F), and the turbidity of water increases significantly.
The pH is 6.5–7.5, general hardness is 2°, carbonate hardness is
Water Parameters 2°, and total dissolved solids is 40 ppm. The temperature in the dry
Temperature: 77° F pH: 7.0 General Hardness: 4° season goes up to 89.6° F.

28 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

Native Fish and Invertebrates: Nemacheilus stigmofasciatus,
Zodiac Loach (Nemacheilus triangularis), Sucker Fish (Garra mullya),
Barilius canarensis, Malabar Leaffish (Pristolepis marginata)

Native Plants: In this biotope, there are no aquatic plants; surface

plants may be found in flooded areas.

Threats to the Ecology: The environmental problems of the

biotope are caused by urbanization and a lack of conservation,
which deplete biodiversity and natural resources. Air pollution, the
source of which is industrial production, such as manufacturing,
mining, and utilities, affects the rivers. Disturbance of the land
caused by the extraction of minerals, farming, and irrigated
agriculture deplete the soil of nutrients, causing soil acidification
and salinization. These activities also cause erosion, which leads to
severe pollution of the surface waters and a reduction in the flow
of the rivers’ currents. As a result, the Kumaradhara and Netravati
Rivers have become polluted. A lot of mini hydropower plants
have been created on these rivers, and a huge number of projects
are still under development, which leads to the fragmentation of
aquatic organisms’ populations. There is a project in the works to
redirect the channel of the Netravati River, changing the river’s
path to irrigate the land above the Western Ghats. Changes in the
river bed can lead to unforeseen environmental disasters. All these
problems pose a tremendous threat to the biotope. A huge number
of aquatic organisms are threatened, including Etroplus canarensis,
an endemic species of the Kumaradhara and Netravati Rivers. AH

Scan this QR Scan this QR

code to learn code to see a
more about this video of this
amazing biotope. amazing biotope.

[Link] The 2018 Biotope Aquarium Design Contest • 29

Scaper Spotlight
Jen Williams, the Naturescaper
By Marie Gonzalez

“What we do is art. We are creating an environment, a slice of nature—I think that's an important distinction.”

A
HM is proud to present Jen Williams, the founder of Jen meeting. Within a couple of months, I attended my first GWAPA
Will Design. As a successful aquascaping competitor, Jen gathering and was completely hooked.
encourages other scapers through demonstrations, work-
shops, and lectures. She is also a graphic designer, an AGA (Aquatic Q: You have a lot of gorgeous, award-winning scapes. What
Gardeners Association) board member, and a GWAPA (Greater advice would you give an aspiring aquascaper?
Washington Aquatic Plant Association) board member. She enjoys A: Start saving pictures of tanks that you like. You should begin
participating in events with other local clubs and treasures the many seeing trends or patterns among your favorites. This will give you an
friendships she has made in this hobby. I had the pleasure of inter- idea of the type of hardscape materials to collect. I don't sketch out
viewing Jen, where we discussed how she got started, advice for an actual design beforehand. I let the materials that I have dictate
new and experienced aquascapers, design tips, must-have prod- what magic will happen. This is less limiting than trying to make
ucts, and her aquascaping philosophy. the pieces I have fit the drawing. I make sure that I have a decent
selection of the hardscape materials I like to use, but I don’t have
Q: So, Jen, how did you get started in aquascaping? crates of it. What I’ve got is what I’ve got, and I make it work. Next, lay
A: I got my first tank when I was 7 years old. I wanted a pet, and out and play around with your hardscape. As you’re doing that, begin
we couldn’t have a dog or cat, so my parents let me get some fish planning out your planting groups. The more scaping you do, the
from the local mom-and-pop store. Throughout the years, I went better you’ll get. With practice, you’ll be able to see a scape before
through the usual array of guppies, barbs, and tetras, eventually it goes in the tank, kind of like playing Tetris. Definitely join the AGA
finding myself in college with too many Firemouth Cichlids. I needed and a local club. You’ll get great advice and make lifelong friendships.
to get rid of some, so I posted a Craigslist ad that read “Firemouth A great way to improve your aquascaping skills is to enter contests.
Cichlids. Bring a net and a bucket.” Before I knew it, I had this large, The AGA, for one, tries very hard to give every entrant feedback from
former-Army guy in my living room filling his bucket with fish, telling the judges, which is invaluable. Live contests are great because you
me all about local fish clubs, some Amano guy, and planted tanks. can ask the judges in person for feedback.
I remember thinking how crazy I was for having this guy in my
apartment and imagining what kind of geeks would be at a fish club Q: What are some of your must-have products?
A: For sure, my set of planting tools [curved and straight scissors,
spring scissors, and tweezers]. I also have a cool bucket with a
Marie Gonzalez squishy handle—so much easier on my hands! I use a Python
[water siphon/tank-cleaning system] and Seachem Prime [water
Marie started in the aquarium hobby 40 years ago as a kid collecting conditioner] for water changes. Light timers and auto-dosers [used
tadpoles in a nearby creek to watch them swim in her fishbowl. Since for dosing fertilizers] are vital, a measuring scale for fertilizers, and
then, she's kept a wide variety of aquarium fish. Her current obsession syringes for measuring liquids. They are especially handy for smaller
is planted aquariums and dwarf shrimp. When she's not writing or doses, like what you’d need for a nano tank—using the lines on the
getting her sleeves wet, she's a middle school reading teacher. inside of the bottle cap is ridiculous! Another absolute necessity:

30 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

 The Aquatic Experience 2015.
Designed by Jen Williams and
Rachel, Abby, and Clelia
O′Leary ■ Karen Randall

The Aquatic Experience

2018. Designed by Jen
Williams, Nick Kinser,
and Sebastian Puerta
■ Alex Wenchel

Jen’s 2017 IAPLC submission ■ Jen Williams

a turkey baster! Invaluable for removing detritus from nooks and

crannies, target feeding, filling empty nano filters before plugging
them in, sucking up fry to move them to a grow-out tank, the list
goes on and on.

Q: Do you have a favorite substrate?

A: I’m probably going to get in trouble for this one, but I really like
the Tropica stuff.

Q: What’s your favorite lighting?

A: Most of my tanks have custom lights that my husband and I built,
but I do like the Fluval Aquasky 2.0 LED as well.

Q: What’s your maintenance routine look like?

A: I try to do a 50 percent water change weekly, especially in tanks
with heavy driftwood layouts since it’s a nightmare trying to keep
on top of [remove/reduce] the organics in the water from the natural
process of wood breaking down. However, on the low-tech tanks
that aren’t getting fertilizers or CO2, I do fewer and smaller water
changes. I’ve found that once you get your tank to that mature,
balanced state, you want to avoid the yo-yo effect [swing in water
parameters] of large, frequent water changes. Also, on the high-tech
tanks, if I know I'm going to be traveling, I’ll try to dial back on the
ferts in the days/weeks prior so it's not a sudden change.

Q: How about one last piece of wisdom that encompasses your

aquascaping philosophy?
A: One thing I’ve started preaching is that we, as a whole, need to
stop thinking about what we do as simply decorating fish tanks.
What we do is art. We are creating an environment, a slice of
nature—I think that’s an important distinction. It’s why I call myself
a “naturescaper.”

Your scapes are indeed art. Thank you for sharing them with us and
for the interview, Jen! AH

[Link] Scaper Spotlight: Jen Williams, the Naturescaper • 31

 Motoro Stingray
The Wild and Wonderful
Freshwater Stingrays of the Amazon
By Tom Maguire

M
y name is Tom Maguire, and I have over 20 years of fish- a dream and never looked back. I have dedicated my life to fish-
keeping experience, which evolved into specializing in one keeping, learning everything that I possibly can. I started out in my
of the world’s most beautiful and captivating groups of bedroom at home and expanded to a warehouse filled with breed-
fish: freshwater stingrays. It has always been a dream of mine to be ing ponds, quarantine tanks, and stock systems.
able to breed exotic fish. I built my breeding facility on a dollar and
The allure of freshwater stingrays fascinated me as a kid, but I never
thought I could ever actually own one. They were a fish that I had
only seen in a few top hobbyists’ home aquariums. Years later when
Tom Maguire I finally acquired my first ray, a Potamotrygon motoro, I was immedi-
ately hooked. I still have that first stingray to this day!
Tom is from New Jersey and is the owner of USA Stingrays LLC. He
is a breeder, importer, and distributor of freshwater stingrays and As I grew in the hobby, so did the size of my aquariums. This
other monster fish. led me to seek out larger, more aggressive, and rarely seen fish.

32 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

Stingrays soon climbed to the top of my interest list. From
their personalities to their stunning patterns, there is no
arguing they will be the center of attention for anybody
that owns them. They also make quite the conversation
piece! The passion I have for these fish is second to none.
I have grown quite fond of each ray that comes through
my shop. From each individual’s unique personality to its
behavior, every ray always makes me smile.

Stingrays have not always been as widely available in

the hobby as they are today. In the past, only a few elite
hobbyists had access to them. That’s where I wanted
Leopoldi Pearl Super Hybrid Black Diamond
to make a difference. I have helped hundreds of people
get into the stingray hobby. This being said, freshwater
stingrays are not for everyone. I have often heard of rays
being referred to as “ornamental fish.” In my opinion, this
is one of the best ways to describe these delicate animals.
To fully enjoy their beauty and behavior, they need to be
cared for to the fullest extent of the aquarist’s ability. No
skipped water changes, no skipped feedings, no excuses.
Delicate fish require a lot of attention. But fear not; with
the right information and a trusted source to acquire
stingrays from, keeping these fish can be fun and easy!

There are many stingray species found in the Amazon

River system. The most common genus found in the
aquarium hobby is Potamotrygon, also known as wide-
eyed river rays. There are over 20 species in this genus, Breeding group of Marble Motoro Stingrays
but only a few are kept by hobbyists. The Bigtooth River
Stingray (Potamotrygon henlei), Xingu River Ray (P. leop-
oldi), Pearl Ray (P. jabuti), Motoro Stingray (P. motoro), Top-down view of a Pearl Stingray
Porcupine River Stingray (P. hystrix), and Raspy River
Stingray (P. scobina) are the most commonly kept
species. Another common ray is known as the Black
Diamond. This is a variant of the classic P. leopoldi, and
it is found in nearby river systems of the Rio Xingu and
Rio Fresco in Brazil. My personal favorite is the Pearl
Stingray due to its aberrant pattern.

There are many hobbyists who seek out wild-caught

rays, and there are those who prefer captive bred. As the
hobby has grown, most people are leaning toward keep-
ing captive-bred stingrays. Captive breeding reduces the
number of rays collected from the wild and in turn helps
to keep their natural habitat pristine. Many hobbyists will
seek out “pure” rays, meaning wild-caught bloodlines, or
those that have been selectively bred in order to preserve
the pure bloodlines. Captive breeding has also led to
a considerable amount of hybridization. This creates
unique patterns and results in some seriously cool-look-
ing rays. Personally, I like hybrids. The patterns produced
by hybridization are some that have never been seen
before and some that may never be seen again. Trusted
breeders are important to this hobby in order to make
sure that the rays offered are of high quality, whether
they are pure or hybrids.

There are three main factors to keeping rays, which I will

Pearl Stingray
discuss in this article: housing, filtration, and food.

[Link] The Wild and Wonderful Freshwater Stingrays of the Amazon • 33
 One of the author’s 12′ × 4′ × 3′ stingray ponds

Housing
Many of the Amazon stingrays will grow to a size of over 2
feet across. They require an enormous amount of space. The
recommended minimum tank size for most adult rays in the
Potamotrygon genus is 8′ × 3′ × 3′. This is not a tank that most
hobbyists have the space for. Many of my personal breeders
are over 26 inches wide and are housed in 12′ × 4′ × 3′ ponds.
Stingray pups (babies) are typically available at around 4–6
inches. Pups can be housed in smaller aquariums to start, but
they grow quickly. One thing to keep in mind is that stingrays
produce a serious amount of bioload in an aquarium. They will
produce approximately four times the waste (and ammonia)
of a typical fish of similar size. Small tanks will not be able to
handle this. Water quality is important, and test kits used to
monitor ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels will soon become
a raykeeper’s best friends. Rays require nearly pristine water
conditions and will not tolerate the abuse that many cichlids,
catfish, and other fish can endure. Ammonia can be detrimen-
tal to rays and can quickly build up to harmful levels. Water
change volume and frequency will be determined by the size
of the aquarium, number of fish, and number of feedings per
day. For most systems, a water change of 50–75 percent twice
a week is ideal. Water changes are vital and cannot be skipped.

Most freshwater rays can be maintained at a pH between 6.8

and 7.6. The recommended water temperature is 76 to 80° F.
Personally, I like to keep the temperature of the water for my
A large stingray next to a hand for size comparison
rays at a range of 80 to 81° F, especially the breeders.

34 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

 p14 × Black Diamond pup Black Diamond × P. henlei hybrids

Black Black Diamond eating

Diamond
pair

The mouth and gills of a stingray

are located on its underside.

[Link] The Wild and Wonderful Freshwater Stingrays of the Amazon • 35
Filtration Wild-caught rays can be tricky to get to eat. Earthworms, black-
worms, and bloodworms are a great choice to get a finicky ray to
The next key to helping stingrays flourish in a home aquarium is
eat. Rays can be fed one to three times a day, but adult rays will be
adequate filtration. Utilizing a sump, a separate tank in which filter
fine with one feeding a day. It is vital for pups to be fed at least twice
media and mechanical equipment is kept, is strongly encouraged.
a day, with three feedings a day being ideal.
Sumps that incorporate fluidized bed filters are a favorite of many
hobbyists that keep stingrays and monster fish. Fluidized beds are
Before you purchase your first stingray, make sure you have your
an excellent choice because they are self-cleaning, high-oxygen
bases covered. The first thing is housing requirements. As stated,
biological filters that are very effective. Many hobbyists also use
most rays will grow to be very large. Some of my rays weigh over
bio-bricks, ceramic noodles, or bio-balls to aid in biological filtra-
25 pounds! Rays can also live for 10–15 years in captivity, which is
tion by placing them in their sumps. Trickle filters, or wet-dry filters,
as long as common household dogs. Also, only buy from a trusted
are another good choice. They provide a dry area for biological filter
source. Be sure to observe the behavior of the ray you’d like to buy.
media and a wet area for mechanical filter media and are excel-
Healthy rays will be very active, constantly searching for food, play-
lent high-oxygen bio-filters. Whichever the preferred method is, it
ing in bubbles, or climbing the walls of the aquarium. Check for clear
is important to remember that these fish will not be happy with the
eyes, fat tails, and activity. If you can see the hip bones, a dent in
use of a typical HOB (hang-on-back) filter. Canister filters can also
the head, or a lack of interest in food, it is best to pass on that ray.
be used with proper knowledge but are not often recommended
Do not be afraid to ask questions about the individual ray. It can be
by hobbyists because they don’t provide the same level of oxygen-
a big investment, and you will want to know that you are getting a
ation as a sump or trickle/wet-dry filter.
healthy and happy ray.
Food There is an incredible amount of information in books, at specialty
Most captive stingrays will readily accept a wide variety of frozen and aquarium shops, online, and through experienced hobbyists that
prepared foods. Variety is imperative to the health of rays. Frozen can help anyone enter the amazing world of freshwater stingrays.
foods such as silversides, tilapia, mysis shrimp, shrimp, prawns, Over the past few years, I have seen the hobby of keeping rays
mussels, and krill are all great choices. A lot of rays will also accept explode. With the variety, availability, and knowledge ever expand-
pellet foods. It can be tricky to get some rays onto pellets, but with a ing, stingrays are quickly becoming a focal point for the aquarium
little patience, it is well worth the effort. Pellet foods allow the hobby- hobby. With a little familiarity and dedication, keeping stingrays is
ist to pack a ton of nutrition into a small package. No single food an easily attainable goal. Welcome to the addictive, passion-filled,
is the answer, though, as rays will do best when offered a variety. beautiful hobby that is freshwater stingrays! AH

36 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

Ember Island
By Justin Leake

A
s I have advanced in the planted-aquarium hobby, I previous high-tech setups, and with the Twinstar S-series lighting,
constantly tried to learn and challenge myself. This setup it is much brighter.
is the culmination of many hurdles and firsts for me. At 22
gallons, this aquarium is almost two times larger than any of my The James River, which runs through my city of Richmond, VA, has
been a constant inspiration to me. In the city, the James is rocky, with
occasional rapids, and it’s a part of our local park system. I spend as
much time as I can exploring the small boulder islands that dot the
Justin Leake river. Containing mini-ecosystems like bare root trickling streams,
moss-covered banks, and stagnant rock pools, these islands
Justin lives in Richmond, VA, and is a bicycle mechanic who enjoys provide many inspiring snapshots. After years of watching the river,
visiting his local river as a source of inspiration for his scapes. He it became apparent how some of these islands may have gotten
has been enjoying aquascaping since 2013 and shares his stunning their start. The James maintains an average depth of 4 to 6 feet but
scapes on Instagram. Look up “aquawerk” to see his latest creations. can surge to 13 to 15 feet. After flooding, there are sometimes entire

38 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

 Honey Gourami

Ember Tetras Pearl Weed was used as the carpet plant in this scape.

[Link] Ember Island • 39

 driftwood trees pinned on giant boulders in the middle of
the river. These driftwood trees snag debris, limbs, and
seeds, and over time, a tiny planted island is created.

Those small driftwood boulder islands were my inspira-

tion for this scape. I chose similarly colored and textured
stones from the river and picked up the driftwood from
my local fish shop. I wanted to achieve a bedrock look
similar to the James, so when placing the stones, I made
sure to set the largest of them close to the bottom of
the tank. I then layered soil and CaribSea Eco-Complete
gravel around the base stones and placed the remaining
accent stones on top of the substrate. The driftwood from
my local fish store was a perfect fit for the scape; it was
to scale and not too intricate for the look I was trying to
achieve.

Ember Tetras I wanted to use red plants in this scape, so I clipped some
Rotala sp. 'Colorata' I had growing in another tank and
purchased some Ludwigia repens. I also included some
Ludwigia palustris collected from a sandy bank on the
James. With a red background complete, I wanted to add
a midground plant that would complement its color while
also thriving in the shade under the wood. With that in
mind, I chose some Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Brown' and
Cryptocoryne undulata 'Red' to mix in under and behind
the wood. For the foreground, just in front of the driftwood,
I decided to use Staurogyne repens. It is a very versa-
tile plant, and I love using it to soften transitions in the
hardscape. For the carpet, I used Hemianthus glomeratus,
commonly known as Pearl Weed. I don’t often see Pearl
Weed used as a carpet, but I have been loving it. It can
take a hard trim and bounce right back without issues.

I wanted to make this aquarium setup streamlined and

sleek, so I made my equipment choices accordingly.
I paired the Twinstar 900SP LED light fixture with the
Ultum Nature Systems Light Hanging Kit to get a clean,
Honey Gourami and Ember Tetras
minimalist look. I try to have as few pieces of equipment
in the aquarium as possible, so I use an inline CO2 reac-
tor when I can. I also use glass lily pipes and oversized
filters to maintain good circulation without additional
powerheads or skimmers. Keeping the glass pipes clean
and fogging the back of the tank (adding a frosted back-
ground) keeps the focus on the scape and the aquarium
inhabitants. Cords, tubing, air stones, diffusers, heaters,
skimmers, and powerheads all distract the eye and clash
with the intended natural look of the aquarium.

When choosing inhabitants, I sought out Ember Tetras

(Hyphessobrycon amandae) because they are great tight
directional schoolers, and I knew they would love swim-
ming in and out of the hardscape. I also picked up a Honey
Gourami (Trichogaster chuna), a peaceful, curious fish with
lots of personality. Now that the gourami is used to me,
he will swim right up and take brine shrimp directly from
the pinsettes (fine-point tweezers). I also included several
Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) to help keep the
scape clean.

40 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

 I added the fish after the aquarium had been planted and running
for about 45 days. After I added fish, I gradually increased the photo-
period and CO2 duration, at which point the plants really began to
thrive and color up. It soon became apparent just how much faster
the Rotala and Pearl Weed would grow compared to the other plants,
even the Ludwigia. My long-term plan for this tank is to have the
Cryptocoryne grow to its maximum potential and become a focal
point. Crypts are slow growers, but I find it rewarding to watch them
come into their own in a scape. The Rotala and Ludwigia will be
kept at bay as the Crypts grow in and the tank matures. Watching
a planted aquarium grow over time is, after all, the best part.

Aquarium
Tank: Mr. Aqua Exquisite
Dimensions: 36″ × 12″ × 12″
Glass: low iron
Volume: 22 gallons
Cabinet: Aquatic Fundamentals

Aquascape
Title: Ember Island
Style: Nature Aquarium
Substrate: soil, CaribSea Eco-Complete
Stone: river rock
Wood: driftwood

Equipment
Lighting: Twinstar 900SP LED, 10-hour photoperiod
Filter: SunSun HW-303B canister with UV sterilizer
Filter Media: sponge, Seachem Matrix
Filter Pipes: glass lily pipes
CO2: inline iSTA Max Mix reactor (4–5 bubbles per second)

Maintenance
Fertilizers: Ultum Nature Systems All In One, Seachem Flourish
Water Changes: 30 percent twice a week
Trimming: 1–2 times every 2 weeks
Feeding: 2–3 times a week, alternating between brine shrimp
and flake food

Plants
‒‒ Rotala sp. 'Colorata'
‒‒ Rotala indica
‒‒ Rotala vietnam
‒‒ Ludwigia repens
‒‒ Ludwigia palustris
‒‒ Hemianthus glomeratus
‒‒ Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Brown'
‒‒ Cryptocoryne undulata 'Red'
‒‒ Staurogyne repens

Fish and Invertebrates

‒‒ Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)
‒‒ Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)
‒‒ Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
AH

42 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

[Link] Ember Island • 43
 Bamboo Shrimp
An Introduction to the Bamboo Shrimp
By Mari Puts

A
tyopsis moluccensis, commonly known as the Bamboo Natural Habitat
Shrimp, is one of the most fascinating shrimp species avail-
When we’re looking to keep a fish or invertebrate in our aquarium,
able in the aquarium hobby. What makes this species so
one of the best ways to prepare is by researching the species’ natural
interesting is the fact that it has evolved to find its food in a rather
habitat. That’s where it thrives naturally, after all.
unusual way: by filter-feeding. Rather than scavenging for food
scraps, algae, and biofilm like other freshwater shrimp, the Bamboo
The Bamboo Shrimp is native to Southeast Asia. This species is
Shrimp uses its modified, fan-like appendages to catch passing
found in shallow, wide, and fast-flowing waters, such as hillstreams.
organic particles.
The beds of these streams are often composed of boulders, which
provide welcome refuge from the strong flow that brings in a
In this article, we’ll go into the Bamboo Shrimp’s aquarium require-
constant supply of detritus for the shrimp to eat.
ments, the best way to keep them well fed, and other important care
information to make sure they thrive in your aquarium.
Aquarium Setup
Because the Bamboo Shrimp is a rather specialized species, we’ll
have to do our best to match its natural habitat in an aquarium
environment.
Mari Puts
With a maximum size of around 3 inches, the Bamboo Shrimp does
Mari is a student and blogger from Nijmegen, The Netherlands, who not require a very large aquarium. Males are larger than females and
has been keeping fish since 2010. In 2012, at the age of 14, Mari started also have bigger rear legs. I would recommend keeping this shrimp
writing about fishkeeping on her blog, [Link]. in an aquarium that is 20 gallons or larger. A larger tank with more

44 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

inhabitants will contain more detritus and offer more locations for This Bamboo Shrimp is exploring the live plants
in its aquarium. ■ Preston Aquatic Arts
the shrimp to sit and feed.

For tanks up to 20 gallons, a hang-on-back (HOB) filter with strong

flow is all you should need. For tanks larger than 20 gallons, in
addition to a filter, you will most likely need to add a circulation
pump to provide adequate flow. The size of the aquarium and the
number and variety of inhabitants will impact your filter choice. You
should seek advice from a local fish store if you need help choosing
an appropriate filter for your aquarium. The use of activated carbon
to adsorb dissolved organics that discolor the water is advised. If
you’re a neat-freak aquarist, this species may not be a good choice
for you because the aquarium should be purposely left dirtier than
typical displays.

Although this shrimp’s natural habitat is relatively barren, it is a good

idea to add some live plants. Decaying leaves and other bits and
pieces make a welcome food source, and the plants themselves offer
cover when the shrimp is molting and vulnerable.

Feeding This shrimp has all of its fan-like appendages extended,

feeding in the current. ■ Chonlasub Woravichan
One challenge with keeping the Bamboo Shrimp is providing enough
of the right food, presented in a way to accommodate this shrimp’s
unusual feeding strategy. In order to feed, the Bamboo Shrimp needs
two things: fine particle food items, such as detritus or powdered
feeds, and adequate water flow. They are naturally attracted to strong
currents because they’re filter-feeders that rely on the current to
bring them food.

Since our aquariums don’t exactly contain the same level of detritus
as found in the hillstreams of Southeast Asia, you’ll have to provide
your Bamboo Shrimp with some supplemental food daily. Luckily,
there are a few good ways to keep these shrimp well fed.

There are various powdered shrimp foods available, all of which

should work well for your Bamboo Shrimp. To feed them, simply
add a small amount of powdered food in the water column, allowing
it to circulate throughout the aquarium. The shrimp will filter out the
bits of food from the water with its fans. A significant amount of the
powder will be sucked up by the filter, but it doesn’t have to go to
waste. Your Bamboo Shrimp will go wild for “filter goo,” so try giving When Bamboo Shrimp are scavenging in the gravel, it is a
sign that there is not enough food in the water column.
the filter sponge a good squeeze in the aquarium water a few hours
before doing a water change. The tank will look cloudy after squeez-
ing the filter sponge in it, but the shrimp will appreciate the feast.

If you see your Bamboo Shrimp attempting to pick particles off the
substrate using its delicate fans, that’s an indication something is not
right. One possibility is that your system is not providing enough flow
to keep food in the water column. Consider adding a circulation pump
and placing a tall decoration in front of the pump’s output in order to
give the shrimp a protected area to feed. You may also need to adjust
your feeding schedule to make sure the shrimp doesn’t go hungry.

Behavior
A healthy Bamboo Shrimp will spend most of its time doing what it
does best: filter-feeding. It can sit in front of the filter or circulation
pump for hours, motionless except for the occasional movement of
its fans.

[Link] An Introduction to the Bamboo Shrimp • 45

 It’s not unusual to lose track of a Bamboo Shrimp for a few days once in a while.
Shrimp are very vulnerable immediately after molting and will instinctively find
a place to hide when it’s time to do so. If all is well, the shrimp will come out of
hiding and go right back to filter-feeding within a day or two.

Water Parameters
This species adapts well to a range of aquarium parameters, as long as the
water is not too alkaline and the tank is fully cycled. A pH between 6.5 and
7.5 should work well. Water hardness (the amount of dissolved calcium and
magnesium in the water) won’t be much of a concern unless the tap water in
your area is very hard or extremely soft. An ideal range is between 3 and 10°
A Bamboo Shrimp coming out of hiding carbonate hardness, with 7° being optimal.
after molting ■ Preston Aquatic Arts

Temperature is sometimes a point of disagreement, with some sources report-

Corydoras catfish make Dwarf shrimp also make
ing higher ideal temperatures than others. Generally, anything between 68 and
good tank mates for Bamboo good tank mates ■ vitalinka 77° F appears to work well.
Shrimp ■ neryx

Compatibility
Although the Bamboo Shrimp is larger than most shrimp varieties, it is still
quite vulnerable and lacks the ability to defend itself because it has fan-like
appendages instead of claws. Additionally, it needs to be able to sit unbothered
in relatively strong water flow in order to feed. Avoiding aggressive or overly
boisterous tank mates is therefore important.

A pair of Bamboo
Calm, peaceful species that tolerate similar water parameters and don’t mind
Shrimp hanging stronger water flow make good tank mates. Try peaceful catfish such as
out on an aquatic Corydoras, or go invertebrate-only with Neocaridina dwarf shrimp and snail
plant, feeding
together ■ Preston species.
Aquatic Arts
Keep in mind that the Bamboo Shrimp, like other shrimp species, appreci-
ates safety in numbers. You can get at least a few, not in the least because it
enhances your own viewing pleasure. A group of filter-feeding Bamboo Shrimp
is a fascinating sight to see. It’s pretty amusing to watch multiple shrimp all
lined up with their fans extended to feed.

Breeding
Unfortunately, breeding the Bamboo Shrimp is not an easy task. In issue Q2
2018, I described the rather complicated breeding process of the Amano Shrimp
(Caridina multidentata), which is actually quite similar to that of the Bamboo
Shrimp. Both species give birth to small larvae rather than fully developed fry.

In the wild, the larvae would be carried to the end of the stream in which they
were hatched, ending up in brackish water (higher salinity than fresh water
but less than seawater). After eventually morphing into fully developed shrimp,
they move back upstream and live out the rest of their days in fresh water. In
the aquarium, that means you’ll need an extra breeding tank and have to find
the proper salinity, as well as identify the very small time frame to move the fry.
Just a little too late and an entire batch can be lost.

This all being said, it’s by no means impossible to breed the Bamboo Shrimp,
and it might be worth giving things a go if you’re looking for a new challenge.
With some trial and error, most aquarists who attempt to breed the Bamboo
Shrimp do eventually succeed and manage to raise some batches of fry.

All in all, the Bamboo Shrimp makes the perfect choice for those looking for
an unusual addition to their aquarium. It gives us a great opportunity to dive
A feeding Bamboo Shrimp hanging out on a into the world of hillstream aquariums, and the shrimp’s fascinating feeding
piece of driftwood ■ Preston Aquatic Arts
behavior makes it a joy to watch and keep. AH

46 • Aquarium Hobbyist Magazine  Second Quarter 2019

[Link] An Introduction to the Bamboo Shrimp • 47