Creation of an Amazon biotope aquarium

Many of the world’s largest freshwater fish come from the enormous South American water system known as the Amazon. This river system is known for its huge catfish, man-eating piranhas, and even reptiles like alligators and anacondas. The Amazon River is the largest river drainage system in the world, covering more than 2.7 million square miles. It also accounts for a fifth of all the water in the world’s freshwater rivers.

So with all that in mind, it’s no wonder so many want to recreate this stunning river at home in their freshwater aquariums. A biotope, as we call it, is exactly that: a recreation of a specific geographic area at home. But where do you start?

It is preferable to start with a large tank of at least 75 gallons. 100 or more gallons is great, and the general rule of thumb is that bigger is better. The reason for this is not only because more water volume means a more stable ecosystem, but also because some of the more desirable fish species are larger in size and therefore require a larger aquarium.

The substrate (gravel) should be sandy, with some rounded river rocks mixed in. The Amazon is known for its dense vegetation and many live plants are also recommended. There are many Amazon plants available at most local pet stores in North America. Driftwood is also common in the Amazon, with many thin roots where fish can take refuge.

The pH of the water in the Amazon is generally slightly acidic, between 6.4 and 6.6, but you can have it closer to neutral (7.0) if you prefer. Many captive-bred fish are used to a more neutral pH than those harvested from their native waters. The temperature should be kept between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the dGH (Degrees of General Hardness) of the water should be on the softer side. Lighting should be dim, perhaps through the use of floating plants.

So now comes the fun part, which is to fill the aquarium with fish. We will not go into detail on how to properly add fish to the aquarium, or feed or breed the different species. We will just say that you should add your fish slowly and be sure to investigate the “cycle” system that creates a proper biological ecosystem in your aquarium.

Some notable species for a small (25 gallon or so) Amazon Biotope aquarium include:

• Neon tetras and other small tetras
• Corydoras species of catfish
• Apistogramma species of dwarf cichlids

Some notable species for a medium-sized (give or take 55 gallons) Amazon biotope include:

• silver dollars
• headstands
• Cichlids like Jack Dempseys, Severums or Angelfish
• pictus catfish

Some notable species for large (80+ gallon) Amazonian biotopes include:

• Oscar or large South American cichlids (greater than 12 inches)
• silver arowana
• Lima shovelnose catfish

There are also huge Amazonian fish like Pacus, Tiger Shovelnose catfish, Redtailed Catfish, and Peacock Bass (which are actually cichlids and not true bass). These fish require extremely large tanks and are best suited to public aquariums.

Here are some initial ideas for your Amazon biotope aquarium. Good luck and remember, research is key!