Dimensions 25 × 25 × 25 cm
Title Spa Creek Biotope
Volume 15.6L
Background black
Lighting Atledtis E6 LED. 6500K. 6.5W
Filtration Eheim Canister Filter 150.
Plants Phragmites australis (native subspecies)
Animals Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus)
Materials Sand, rocks, leaves, and detritus from upper Spa Creek.
Additional Information Spa Creek is part of the Chesapeake Bay estuary. It is an inlet that feeds into the Annapolis Harbor; is close to Washington DC, and is fully developed and heavily populated. However, the upper section is relatively undeveloped, and teaming with wildlife. Invasive plants have been removed, and replaced with native plants, at great effort and expense.
Upper Spa Creek is the inspiration for this biotope. It is home to Stripped Bass, Chain Pickerel, and White Perch. These larger fish feed off of the smaller Killifish that are included in this biotope. The creek varies from 12 feet deep to shallow mud flats. Originally the creeks in this watershed had sandy bottoms, however, runoff from development has deposited a blackish mud. Sandy bottoms are still to be found in upper Spa Creek. Its salinity varies with the tide and rainfall, ranging from 5.7 ppt. to fresh water. The fish have adapted to a wide range of salinity.
This biotope was created using materials gathered along one of the branches of upper Spa Creek. The sand, rocks, plants, and detritus were taken from the area I am attempting to replicate. The recent passing of Hurricane IDA flattened a section of the shoreline affording an opportunity for ecologically sound scavenging. However, any aquarium, no matter how authentic, is artificial, and requires compromises that are not part of the original ecosystem. I have chosen a nano scale in order to take materials with the least disturbance. Though rocks, sand, and flattened Phragmites were in abundance, It still felt like I was disturbing a precious remnant of nature that is surrounded by a bustling metropolis. I am using a cube to emphasize the artificial nature of biotope aqua scaping, a challenging blend of art and science.
A final note. On the shore, I found the bleached, desiccated remnant of a dead fish. I added it to the biotope, thinking it would add drama. However, after several days of ignoring it, the Killifish ate it. All of it except for the bones. Nature's cleaning crew!
