A tank for slow moving members of the sub-family
Anabantoidea, other Labyrinth-fish, along with small
barbs and danios and of course catfish.SizeA standard fifty-five gallon or the forty gallon would
be fine.Set-up
Typical set-up.
On the bottom use a dark substrate with no sharp edges to a
depth of at least two inches and mix in some Laterite to
promote plant growth. Place drift-wood and roots in the
back area creating many hiding places. This tank should be
heavily planted, here are some native species available:
Giant Hygrophila
Nitelia
Hydrilla
Water lilies
Cryptocoryne ciliata
Java moss
Limnocharis
Water lettuce
You want to have very little water movement, with a
slight circulation from one end to the other. With the large amount of live plants the lighting should be bright, at least two fluorescent full spectrum bulbs.Water requirements
pH of 6.5 with a Carbonate hardness of around 4dCH and
a total hardness of 10dH. Water temperature in the low eighties.
Fish A school of Danios, two or three pairs of any of the
varieties of the Dwarf Gouramies., a group of Koolie Loaches and some catfish from the family Pangasius.
Dwarf
Gourami.
This is only one example of tanks you can try,
Biotope aquaria are only limited by your research and
wallet and can range from the most remote areas of the
world to the ponds right in your backyard. Try one!
