Dimensions 91 × 53 × 53 cm

Title Under The Bridge There Is Life

Volume 246.4L

Background None

Lighting DIY LED, 8-12 hours/day depending on season

Filtration Oase Biomaster Thermo 600

Plants None.

Animals 11 Satinfin Shiner (Cyprinella analostana), 5 Swallowtail Shiner (Notropis procne), 2 Eastern Blacknose Dace (Rhynichthus atratulus), 1 juvenile Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), 3 Bluespotted Sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus), 5 Tessellated Darter (Etheostoma olmstedi)

Materials Rip rap rock, gravels, and substrate. All introduced materials for erosion control/flood management. Taken from neighboring property (with permission).

Additional Information Springtime spawning colors and behavior of the Satinfin Shiner were the inspiration for this biotope. While walking my neighborhood creek the males can be seen from a distance displaying and flashing at most slower moving sections along the way. Every fish in this display was collected within a span of approx. 75’ in the creek dividing my neighborhood, with the exception of the Enneacanthus, which are found slightly further down where the creek meets another in the Potomac watershed. While currently peacefully mingling with his suitemates, the Lepomis (who was an overlooked 1/2” bycatch) will eventually be rehomed as he will outgrow this habitat. To note: These fish were all collected legally, as Virginia has wonderfully generous collecting and possession limits to residents with DWR-issued fishing licenses. This almost-urban creek is mostly shallow (less than 3’ deep) and slower moving, with occasional faster sections. It has been developed several times over the last 60 years by the county to control erosion, and all of the rock and gravel materials were introduced and placed for water and flood management. There is no vegetation, or fallen organic debris along the bed of this creek, as the gravel substrate is constantly shifting with every passing storm. This creek proves you can find nature and beautiful aquatic inhabitants wherever you are.