home aquariums

In some reservoirs of Mexico water is different stiffness. Because - for this the waterfalls formed by the mineral deposit, which leads to the formation of terraces. Photo: Cascade plot El Aguasero near Okotsokoautla.

Single characteristics of waters of Central America did not exist. The researchers divided the fish habitats to certain areas razmezhёvannye mountains (and the line of the watershed), isthmuses or climatic zones. At least one part of the Pacific coast of Central America, a bridge between continents, is very rich in volcanoes, that has an effect on water performance. The exceptionally soft water, which is known to us in South America, is also found here, but such a low pH-value is not the case. At the same time found a place where extremely high hardness, sulphate (Mexico) and, accordingly, very high conductivity (in some cases more than 4000!). Most water bodies in Central America, pH-value indicates the alkalinity (above the neutral point of 7.0), with high enough, so that the figure of 9.0 (or higher), there is not a rarity. Why is this information important for the Central American fish lover? The fact is that these fish should be able to adapt better than their South American counterparts. And if this is not the case, their distribution is limited to a very narrow living space, that is, too. For example, a live-bearing toothcarps we know that they can not feel good in soft water. And because and should not be - if possible - keep them in aquariums with soft and slightly acidic water.

Really soft sediment rich water of the river Rutshuru in eastern Zaire. Its thresholds are not so high, but for the fish they are insurmountable obstacles.

Fish from West Africa are represented in our aquariums are not as widespread as the South or North American. Perhaps this is due to the political conditions, but, on the other hand, the case, and that the number of remaining small and motley species in this region is small. Most dwarf cichlids, and in particular, representatives of the genera Chromidotilapia, Netichromis, Nanochromis Pelvicachromis and placed on the market from Asia (S. guntheri, N. parilus, Hemichromis lifalili and H. birnaculatus and P. pulcher). Regularly import only three cichlids: it Steatocranus casuarius, S. tinanti and Teleogramma brichardi. Equally limited barbs import and haratsidievyh. Fish varied regions of West Africa. In addition to the tropical rainforests there is savanna with large and small ponds, rivers and streams, as well as cavities and trenches not far from the coast, where fresh water mixes with the sea. How diverse habitats, is as different and the water - it is quite obvious. In the analysis of waters, inhabited by so popular among aquarists dwarf cichlids, Killifish, barbs and haratsidievye, catches the eye of its extreme softness and (most often) the acid reaction - at least when we are talking about fresh water. This also applies to water-rich regions of the basin of Zaire (Congo), local fish in the aquarium water is recommended to connect with their South American relatives.

Young African fishing for ornamental fish in Lake Malawi. You can clearly see how clean the water is.

Transparent and really soft water of Lake Malawi chemical is also very clean, no industry has not spoiled her.

About two largest lakes of Central in the last decade a lot of writing, and in addition, there are many types of imported fish, previously little known or even unknown. In Lake Malawi, a very small fish almost does not occur, but in Lake Tanganyika their myriad. We recall here only about the different kinds of cichlids and representatives of labor and Lamprologus Julidochromis. Of those species that are found in the swamps surrounding the lakes, and other surrounding areas come to us only a few - as, for example, Pseudocrenilabrus (both types) or Astatotilapia, and even more close to them species. When it comes to water quality in the larger lakes, often it turns out that aquarists confuse two different things: pH-value and hardness.

You can not on the basis of a relatively high pH-value in these waters to make a generalized conclusion about their high rigidity. This is completely wrong, even if in some cases untrue. That is why there is a table of the average for the Lakes Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria, kotoraya compiled on the basis of analyzes.

Both tectonic lakes - Malawi and Tanganyika - surprisingly clean, so the visibility under the water is 20 meters. Lake Victoria is more turbid, and the depth of visibility is not more than 6 - 8 meters. Many aquarists are afraid of traveling Victoria due to the widespread opinion that his water everywhere infected with helminths, schistosomes. In fact, this applies only to quiet little coves with standing water and swampy areas. In the open lake has amazing island with sandy shoals, where you can safely enter the water, and there are rocky areas, just like in the two deeper lakes in the south. Central African lakes densely populated cichlids. In addition to them to export ornamental fish interest are only a few catfish of the genus Synodontis and amazing Tanganyika Killy-fish (Lamprichthus tanganicanus).

Zone landslides of rocks on the coast of Lake Tangaika continues under vodoy.Po stones are clearly visible, as changing the height of the water table. Photo: near Kasaba Bay, Northern Zambia	Sandy areas such as this represent an insurmountable obstacle for the inhabitants of the water near the rocks. This helps, for example, the formation of color variations.

The diversity of cichlidae is a result of evolution, which lasted for thousands of years, with most of the species had to adapt to these conditions. For example, the cichlids vary not only geographically due to a way of life, but also the behavior during the incubation period and, more importantly, means power. Scientists say in such cases of adaptation to a certain ecological niche. So, there is no such species that would lay eggs in caves, shelters or in the open among cichlidae Lake Malawi they nurture it in his mouth. Given the fact that in these spaces (often close) ruled by the cruel laws of competition - is the best way to protect the offspring found by nature. In Lake Tanganyika, things are different: here the fish behavior during incubation is indeed different, with its form, of course, also have the purpose of protection of the offspring, and because of spawning in the open places, too, is not observed here. Given such a long time isolation of two lakes from one another, particularly interesting is a series of events indicating a convergence (parallel development), perhaps having a similar way to the source devices in similar living spaces. Recall that in connection with the presence of fish with thick lips and teeth frequently, and algae eaters scales etc. In all the lakes we distinguish rocky intertidal zone (the zone close to the coast), the sandy bottom - often covered with eel - and transition zones. It should also be noted that within the rocky littoral zone located collapses, where the rock is broken down into much smaller pieces than in the rest of the coastal zone. For those species of fish that spawn in caves and shelters are far more hiding places, and thus more protection for fry. It goes without saying that these areas have a particular variety of species and number of fish. At the foot (as, indeed, in other parts) of landslides inhabited areas, such species of cichlids, which generally prefer to live close to the bottom - for example, from Eretmodus childbirth, Spathodus Tanganicodus and Lake Tanganyika. Sandy littoral zone also forms a living space to which many species have adapted. Suffice it to recall the "changing slightly fish"; as well as the South American Geophagus (different types), they dig in the sand, looking for particles of food. To those in Lake Malawi are Lethrinops many species and Haplochromis (some species). In Lake Tanganyika to this method of obtaining food adapted to the genus Xenotilapia, as well as some types of Lamprologus. Do not forget the small cichlid last of these genera that are unprotected snail shells Neothauma tanganycensis would be given at the mercy of the enemy, but because they grow their offspring safe. Underwater meadows covered with eel and other vegetation, reminiscent of a small shelter for the individual species, yes, actually become such - for example, for Hemitilapia oxyrhynchus in Lake Malawi or Limnochromis dardennii in Lake Tanganyika.

The running water of many streams and rivers of South and Southeast Asia live, such as barbs. In the picture - one of those places.

Who does not know the great ornamental fish from Sri Lanka, southern India and northern Indian province of Bengal and Assam? The last two areas occur, for example, Danio devario, Barbus conchonius, B.stigma , and from South India and Sri Lanka are beautiful aquarium residents as Rasbora daniconius, R.vaterifloris, Danio aequipinnatus, Brachydanio rerio, Barbus bimaculatus, B. ticto ticto, B. titteya or Esomus danrica. Home to one of the most famous barbs - B. nigrofasciatus - south island of Sri Lanka. In the south of the island of Sri Lanka is located Kotteva Forest, an area where a lot of soft, even very soft water - so that it was impossible to determine the stiffness of conventional LEDs (HS 30 at 28 ° C). In one small brook (it was so narrow and deep that it looked more like a flute) it was later set pH-value of 4.9. Later in the same creek found favor special interest Malpulutta kretseri of Belontiidae family.

In the area Kotteva Forest in the south of Sri Lanka, but in such a narrow groove, full of water, found Malpulutta kretseri.

The larger river, a width of about 15 meters, near the village Bambaruanna, visible on the surface of the water flowers aponogetona (Aponogeton rigidifolius) with leaves reaching 20-50 cm in length under water! In the higher areas of the island, in the bush Cryptocorynes, carbonate hardness rises to 11,5 ° dKH (analysis carried out early in the morning). PH-value in these waters near Matale River ranged from 6.7 to 6.8, and the conductivity of the HS 600 at a water temperature of 27 ° also showed that the water here is more rigid. Moving along the edge of rice fields in the mountainous region of Sri Lanka, you meet a lot of different types of crypts and her family the genus Lagenandra, preferring, however, the groove with running water. In large, up to several meters deep, reservoirs are large concentrations Lim nophila indica. Water in South India are distinguished by the same qualities, but the sub-continent is so large that relatively it should not have to make generalizations. In many places, there is widespread huge gourami, although his real birthplace (Indonesia) further south. As a food fish, he plays a big role. Once on the Malabar coast (South East India), among the carp can be seen a small labyrinth fish, belonging, as stated, to Pseudophromenus old.

In the north-east of the Indian mainland crosses the Ganges (Bengal) and the Brahmaputra (Assam). During Ctenops nobilis were unsuccessful searches of the river Manas, near the border with bhutanam water sampling: 4 ° dH, 3 ° dKH, pH 7,5 in the second half of the day and the 100 HS with a water temperature of only 18 ° C (air - 22 FROM). These places - Assam, nisin, the Brahmaputra, as it borders on the west Bengal, is home to many species of Colosseum (S. chuna C, and C. fasciata lalia.), Which today often derive in Singapore and offer us new variations .

Overgrown creek south of Ranong in the eastern part of Southern Thailand.	Detail of "biotope - hengeli" north of Nakhon Si Thammarat (South Thailand).
Biotopes ornamental fish are very beautiful - like this one overgrown with red water lilies pond, where fish are found Trichopsis kind.	The rice terraces (here, the island of Bali, Indonesia) live mainly labyrinth fish and some species of catfish. The water is shallow and therefore usually very hot.

Fish come to us not only from big cities (Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong), where there are a large number of huge aquarium farms, but also from the South and the North of Thailand, Malaysia and the Indonesian islands. In southern Thailand, West Malaysia, that is, on the Malay Peninsula, the water is fairly homogeneous: it is soft. The electrical conductivity it is also almost no different (from 5-80 HS). In an overgrown creek south of Ranong on the eastern side of the figure is defined as the PH of 5.5 (in the evening); from beat one source water, the rate of which was 5.15 PH. In this water found Badis Badis amazing color, one unknown dwarf rasbora and large snake-headed (Channa). A little closer to the sea water has already appeared a trace of salt: hardness 1 ° dH, PH 6, and still ± 3000 HS at a water temperature of 30 ° C! Ichthyofauna here also changed. Although still in the water and met some rasbora Luciocephalus, but came to the fore minnows. On the eastern side of the Malay Peninsula, not far from the village yuzhnotailandskogo Nakhon Si Thammarat, there were many interesting fish. It has been established that it is happening here Rasbora hengeli, are exported from Bangkok which was believed found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Approximately 47 km to the north of the city, in the adjacent areas, there is one stream. Despite the lush, dense shade plants, the water temperature there is 31 ° C, 2 ° of dH here, dKH is impossible to establish the HS 50-70 (in different places) and a pH of 6.5. Here and found the place of residence unknown rasbora. Related fauna: Tetraodon leiurus, Pristolepis fasciat us, Nandus spec, Nemacheilus, Kryptopterus spec.. (very similar to C. bicirrhis), Microphis brachyurus (freshwater needle), Dermogenys pusillus, Rasbora argyrotaenia, R. daniconius and Trichopsis vittatus - all in one stream! So, Rasbora hengeli and very reminiscent of her, but the larger its relative R. heteromorpha (klinopyatnistaya rasbora) are found in similar habitats of the South of Thailand, the rest of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. Breeding klinopyatnistuyu rasbora once was as difficult as it is now - the chocolate gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides), inhabiting the same areas and the same living environment. The waters of the Malay Archipelago in the most famous ornamental fish regions are also very soft with slightly acidic pH, Sumatra and Borneo (divided into the northern part - Malaysian Sarawak and south - Indonesian Borneo), as well as the adjacent main island of Java has long been considered the main places exporting ornamental fish of all kinds. In many descriptions we know the wonderful world of Cryptocoryne in Borneo, so do not be surprised, trying to make the analysis of water and setting the degrees of hardness by conventional means (drip reagents). When measuring conductivity in rivers Skrang and Keran-gan was 10 and 20 respectively, HS, and the pH ranged from 6.0 to 6.5. In both cases, the water temperature was 26.5 ° C. As early as 1935-1936 W. Lady-rec Sumatra (Medan) determined in water hardness 2,4 ° dH at pH 6.15. The result of his research he published in his book "Fish and Landscape" (1951) under the heading "rasbora and its water." Another Indonesian island of Sulawesi (formerly Celebes it was called) is on the other side of the so-called Wallace Line that divides Indonesia related to Southeast Asia, from the continent of Australia and New Guinea. This island in the time of formation of the Earth has never been associated with the named other large islands of Indonesia, and therefore, there is another fish fauna. On Sulawesi no known aquarium fish, but with two exceptions: it Telmatherina ladigesi and live-bearing semi-rank of the genus Nomorhamphus. Sulawesi - a mountainous island, there are no good roads; to get to certain habitats, need to take a hard hike. Publication of the analyzes of water are unknown.

Data on water quality in South China is hardly worth mentioning. During our northern winter, there is hardly colder than 10-8 ° C. Of course, the data in certain areas - depending on the weather, the wind - may vary, also possible that in some areas the winter temperature is lower, especially on the east side.

View of the river in the karst area near the city of Guilin in southern China. On the shore fishermen dried network. In the secluded bays, you can find fish, interesting from the point of view of aquarium.

Landscapes of Southern China are very diverse; there is also a karst area, such as in the area of ​​Guangxi Zhu-an around the city of Guilin. These karst areas of China with their heaps of rocks, majestic hills, caves and huge caverns, which can accommodate thousands of people, are in the midst of the huge rice plantations, which are so often see in China. There are a lot of water and plenty of fish. Indicators of water correspond to the limestone region, at least - in the landscape of this vast and incredibly beautiful surroundings. Fish from these areas are used to pretty hard water, but because they are very undemanding and are able to adapt. Among these known types, such as, Barbus fasciolatus. Rasbora steineri. Macropodus chinensis and Tanichthys albonubes. But the one who has these fish live in tropical aquarium at a temperature of 26 ° C or more, they will not long enjoy: they prefer the coolness.

View of the water surface of one of the bays Jardine River to the north of Cape York Peninsula in the north-eastern Australia. The vegetation is different splendor: the birthplace of Australian Iriatherina werneri, which can be distinguished by the black rays on the fins.

It is generally accepted in Australia and New Guinea are those living spaces on Earth, where Donaciinae live. All species of this family bifurcated dorsal fin, so I think that they have a marine origin. For their maintenance and reproduction recommend abundant salt supplements and not very soft water. But already in 1960-1970-ies stiffness proposed to limit, and most importantly - to maintain the pH below the neutral level of 7.0. Except for a few exceptions, water habitats everywhere is very soft, and the pH is lowered slightly toward the acidity. Here are some examples:

The exceptions are the areas in the geological structure which is dominated by limestone, where water areas are under the influence of the sea - as, for example, the area near the town of Katherine with natural attractions of interest to tourists - Gorge Katherine (Katherine Gorge): here the river has broken through narrow crevices in soft rock. New Guinea, as well as tropical and subtropical parts of the Australian continent is replete with gorgeous ponds, still untouched by civilization and therefore clean. Water analysis is almost always indicative of its softness and pH tends toward acidity. During one of the above-mentioned missions, from Cairns (Queensland) to the tip of Cape York (Jardine River), the analysis shows that the already soft water was getting softer, and the pH is increasingly reduced as we move from south to north . The water hardness in those areas can not be installed using conventional reagents and pH in some places was below 4.0. Areas with such exceptional ponds are located, by the way, not far from the area where the detected Iriatherina werneri, - only still known place of its habitat on the Australian continent. Hard water are known to be found where it dissolved mineral salts. For example, you can immediately assume that in those regions where the riverbeds are deeply cut into the rocky ground, the water will be stiff. So, in our case, Katherine river flows through limestone mountains and forms in the landscape of deep gorges, known under the same name (Katherine Gorge). In Western Australia (Kimberley District) also found similar types of origin of the water.

Most of the settlements on the mainland of New Guinea are on the water - like this one village in Sepik River, east of Ambunti. Unfortunately, the dominance of African tilapia ousted and greatly reduced the natural local fauna.