The South America natural aquarium is one of the most popular landscape aquariums. No wonder: the variety of shapes and colors in these biotopes is huge, their exotic charisma unique. Some of the most popular aquarium plants and fish come from South America. Find inspiration for setting up a South American-style aquarium here.
The South American biotope as a model
South American biotopes serve as a model for the design of the natural aquarium. There is no such thing as “the” South American tank, but a natural aquarium with a South American theme can reproduce various biotopes:
- Amazon
- Rio Xingu
- Orinoco
- rainforest pond
The most famous river in South America is the Amazon. But its tributaries also offer interesting templates for a South American natural aquarium. A small jungle river can be the theme of the natural aquarium, but also an overgrown rain forest pond that was created by a flood. A lot of precipitation falls in the humid rainforest, which collects in small ponds. In the humid climate they remain for a long time and offer a home to many animals and plants.
Planning the biotope aquarium South America
Discover your favorite biotope
Take a closer look at the fish and plants found in South America: is there a specific type of fish or plant that particularly fascinates you? Or do you already have a specific biotope in mind that you would like to reproduce in your aquarium? Find one of these starting points and plan your South American basin accordingly.
For example, is it the discus that appeals to you? Then find out about the environment in which it lives and which plants are suitable for discus aquariums.
Are you dreaming of the underwater landscapes of the Orinoco? Then look for suitable aquarium plants for this biotope, which is home to L‑type catfish and the popular angelfish, for example.
Select specific animal species and aquarium plants
Now make a very specific decision about the animal and plant species that you want to keep in your South American tank. The tank size depends on this, as does the necessary hardscape and decorative materials that you bring into the aquarium: roots, stones and substrate.
The variety of shapes and colors with their exotic charisma is typical for a South American landscape pool. You can let your creativity run free: Do you want branched root landscapes? Or do you want decorative stones to be the focus? Maybe it’s also the plants that are supposed to dominate the South America aquarium growing wildly.
Fish for the South America aquarium
Over 2000 species of fish are at home in South America. Many of the most famous aquarium fish come from here. These include guppy (Poecilia reticulata), neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi), mourning cloak tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) and lemon tetra (Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis). But also the scalar (Pterophyllum scalare) or the discus (Symphysodon). Popular catfish species such as armored catfish (Corydoras), witch catfish (Rineloricaria fallax) or antennae catfish (Ancistrus spec.) are at home in South America. The dwarf cichlids (Apistogramma) and other perch species such as chestnut cichlids (Cleithracara maronii), emerald cichlids (Hypselecara temporalis) or the red-breasted cichlids (Laetacara dorsigera) are also fascinating to keep, to name but a few examples. Depending on which species is to be kept in the South America aquarium, the corresponding biotope also looks different.
Aquarium plants from South America
Plants do not play the leading role in every South American biotope. A discus aquarium, for example, can even do without aquarium plants in case of doubt. However, aquariums without plants are not always easy to maintain and are more susceptible to algae in the aquarium. Landscape aquariums in which many aquatic plants from South America are combined have a particularly exotic look.
The right plants for the South America natural aquarium are easy to find: there is a large selection in specialist aquarium plant shops. The most popular representatives for the South American basin include, among many others, the following aquatic plants:
Large-leaved Echinodorus are among the typical plants for the South America aquarium. Their large leaves give the pool a rustic look. There are also many suitable varieties for large aquariums.
The American Pennywort is at home in the crystal clear shallow waters of Brazil. Its interesting growth habit and pretty umbrellas make it a versatile aquarium plant.
Indispensable in aquaristics: the parrot leaf Alternanthera reineckii with its red leaves. It looks particularly good in combination with other plants and creates enchanting contrasts.
A suitable floating plant for the South American natural aquarium is, for example, the South American frog bite. A plant cover shades the pool and can emphasize the mysterious radiance of the underwater landscape.
Set up a South America aquarium according to your own taste
It goes without saying that it is up to you whether you strictly only want to keep plants in your South America natural aquarium that come from the corresponding biotope, or whether you are not very strict with the natural aquarium biologically. In the end, what counts is that you like the tank and that you capture the enchanting flair of the biotope with its special charisma – even if one or the other aquarium plant has “smuggled in” from another region. For a quick search for aquarium plants from South America, use a plant encyclopedia, get advice in a specialist shop or use the filter function in an online shop. We hope you enjoy designing your South American tank!
Do you have any questions or comments about “Natural Aquarium South America”? We appreciate your comments!
