biotope help needed

**iancolky** · 10th Aug 2009, 23:36

Hi,

I am about to set up some new tanks which i would like to make into biotopes. Firstly Ap. Diplotaenia, Biotecus Opercularis. Would appreciate any info on recommended tank set up and suitable dither fish... Was going to go for blackwater set up with leaves/bogwood for Apistos and open sand with plants round edges and wood for biotecus...
Also although i know this is the worng section but would like to do ones for Indostomus Paradoxus, Nannostomus Espei (can anyone suggest a suitable dwarf to go with them?) and some freshwater gobies from the Rhinogobius/stiphodon genus. Any ideas or advice?

Thanks, Ian

**illumnae** · 11th Aug 2009, 22:33

with regard to the dwarf cichlids, I think you're looking at the Rio Negro region. Are you going to go strictly only with fish from that region, or are you less strict with all south american fish being "open game"? If the former, you could consider Green Neon Tetras or Weitzmani Tetras as your dithers. Cardinal tetras would work too, but in the long run they can get rather large and brilliant and overshadow your dwarf cichlids.

In terms of how the setup would look, you will want very fine white sand covered with lots and lots of leaves. For a little more depth, use wood scattered around. In terms of plants, I think usually there isn't alot in their habitat. You could consider forgoing plants totally?

**shrimppaste** · 11th Aug 2009, 22:46

Why not get Ember tetras. they stay relatively small maxing out at 2.5cm and their colour gets a nice red and they are really good schooling fish.

**illumnae** · 11th Aug 2009, 22:57

That's only if he isn't going for a strict biotope. I don't think embers are from the rio negro

**iancolky** · 12th Aug 2009, 20:37

Hi,

Thanks for the advice guys. Yes i'd like to stay as correct as possible, someone did tell me that weitzmani's can be a bit nippy with Apisto's, but i do rather like them. Not sure if this is correct or not though?
I do also like ember tetras. Are there any apistos that live with them?
Also does anyone know anywhere i can find really good info on exactly which rivers/areas species come from so i can keep it as exact as possible. Would also welcome any other suggestions....
Ian

**illumnae** · 12th Aug 2009, 20:40

Try fishbase. They do list fish from a few river basins there such as the Rio Negro, Rio Madeira, Rio Orinocco...

My weitzmani's didn't bother my apistos previously when I kept them

**iancolky** · 12th Aug 2009, 20:43

As far as plants go would be happy to leave them out if this is what is correct in the specific biotope.
How about species from clear or white water? Are there plants in these regions as well? I did see a biotope by Heiko Bleher on his site for what looked like biotecus with open sand in the middle and with amazon swords round the edge. Having read a lot of his articles I guess this will be absolutely correct?
Also I am in the UK and there are not many species available over here in the shops. Does anyone know where I could obtain any of these species?
Thanks again for the advice

**iancolky** · 12th Aug 2009, 20:48

Ok, so would Apisto. Diplotaenia be correct with the Weitzmani's yeah? I do know a shop locally that has some weitzmani's in stock. If i can find somewhere to source A. Diplotaenia what PH/hardness would you recommend? I was going to go for PH 5 and as soft as I can get it - pure R.O.? I would like to at least try to breed them....

**illumnae** · 13th Aug 2009, 00:58

I would say the Ap. diplotaenia would be biotopically correct with Weitzmanis. I'd recommend as low ph and hardness as you can realistically achieve to breed the diplos.