Dimensions 240 × 121 × 70 cm

Title Upper Bladen River, Belize

Volume 2032L

Background Modified Back to Nature Amazon

Lighting 2 x Arcadia T8 38w freshwater lamps

Filtration Biological filtration behind the background powered by 2 x New jet pumps (1200lph) & (2400lph).

Animals 2 x Vieja maculicauda, 2 x Trichromis salvini

Materials Substrate is sand and fine gravel mix with a scattering of beech tree leaves. River boulders and cobbles, Wood is a mixture of locally collected beech and oak wood.

Additional Information This aquascape is based around the tree lined river banks of upper Bladen River at Belize. The aquascape is based near the river bank where there will be lots of tree branches leaves and submerged wood piles. The area represented would be devoid of aquatic plants except marginal. The pristine waters contain many different syntopic species such as Cribroheros robertsoni, Cryptoheros spilurus and Thorichthys meeki. I have chosen two aggressive species, both native to the River: Vieja maculicauda and Trichromis salvini.I have chosen to omit smaller livebearers as they would not survive and be predated in the confines of the aquarium. A large aquarium is needed just to house the species as both have spawned regularly in the aquarium. Adding any other species would not be recommended as the harmony of the aquarium would be disrupted. The Vieja maculicauda pair use the artificial root background to spawn in. This is close to nature as V. maculicauda pairs have been observed in the wild to spawn in tree roots. The wood placement provides plenty of territory and escape routes for both aggressive cichlids to exhibit natural behaviour.