Biotype Plants

[JG]

Anyone know which plants are found in the natural habitat of Microgeophagus ramirezi, Microgeophagus altispinosa and Apistogramma agassizi? The only thing I could find is that swords, some val may be the dominant plants. Please correct me and/or add to that if I'm wrong.

Thanks,

J 8)

 

[litesky]

That is correct. The fish u described are from the Amazonas River and southern tributraries. You're only looking in to sword plants and vallisneria. Those are the only plants that i've heard about in all south american biotope tanks.

U might have already checked this site out:
http://www.mongabay.com/fish/biotope_rio_sucasari.htm

It contains a thorough report of the rivers and creeks of south america. I would def go by it. If you would like to expand your plant species and just call it south american tank, then u can add other plants listed in the plant species list.[/url]

 

[JG]

I've read that link before. Thanks for offering it though.

 

[Greg PL]

I made some small research and as far as I remember you can find Heteranthera zosterifolia as well as Alternanthera reinckii in rams' habitats. I think Eicchornia azurea was also mentioned, only I haven't seen it in any fishtank yet.
as for valisneria - I think it has been introduced in America.
I don't think there are a lot of plants common for Rio Guapore, main Amazonas and lower Orinoco.

Greg

 

[Mike Wise]

I don't think there are a lot of plants common for Rio Guapore, main Amazonas and lower Orinoco.

In truth, most biotopes in which dwarf cichlids live do not have aquatic plants! Nearly all dwarf cichlids are collected among leaf litter & bog wood. An accurate biotope tank for most of these fish would have very few plants - and most would be partially submerged terrestrial & bog plants with maybe some floating on the surface.

 

[JG]

I've read that as well Mike, however I was trying to find something "planty" to put into that tank. I currently have two pieces of driftwood and a piece of mopani with some homemade PVC caves with rocks on them. I alos have a mix-mash of plants in the tank that are mostly not planted but placed there until I have time on the weekend to setup a new 20G (long).

 

[litesky]

Did you want something more than just swords and vals? I think i've seen impressive tanks with just swords and vals.

 

[JG]

Not necessarily. I was just stating that I had read before that their natural environment didn't seem to have a lot of plants. I was just confirming that with my co-dwarfish friends. I also wanted to know if anyone else knew of any other plants that may be found in their natural environment.