A new species of Pterophyllum?

Chris Englezou Biotope, Biotopes of South America, Chris Englezou 2 Comments

Having been deeply fascinated with the Pterophyllum genus for many years, I have found myself waist deep in research, analysing data, images and footage and even taking trips into the jungle to better understand the majestic freshwater Angelfish and the factors which influence their distribution and taxonomy. One area of recently increasing interest to me is the Rio Negro in Brasil. I have always been curious about the distribution of Pterophyllum leopoldi and the existence of disjunct populations along both the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões and in the last few years I have dedicated countless hours to uncover more …

URUGUAY, la tierra de los Gymnogeophagus y Austrolebias

Marcelo Fernandez Biotope, Biotopes of South America, Uncategorised Leave a Comment

  Desde hace varios años distintos artículos en revistas y libros nos deleitaban con las especies halladas en este maravilloso país tan natural que para nosotros está  al otro lado del “charco” llamado Rio de la Plata. Ya desde las aventuras del famoso grupo FLA FLO DUL (Fauna y Flora dulce acuícola) en los noventa,  hasta algunas publicaciones en Tropical Fish Hobbyest como también en estos últimos años, en la revista Amazonas, nos mostraban  una variedad de peces únicas muy atractivas para los amantes de la acuariofilia. La idea era conocer los biotopos de algunos Austrolebias (“Cynolebias”) uruguayas como también …

Biotope Aquarium 101: An authentic Guyana biotope for Glowlight Tetras

Jeroen Vanhooren Biotope, Biotopes of South America Leave a Comment

The Rio Takutu is a river in one of the most interesting and biodiverse places on earth: the Guiana Shield in northern South America. It was most famously documented during the expedition by Robert H. Schomburgk from 1835 – 1844 to mark the borders of territory of “British” Guiana on the orders of Queen Victoria. It was subsequently used as a base to develop large-scale sugar plantations maned by countless African slaves and was only returned to independence in 1966 from whence it became known as Guyana. The fish fauna of this area are highly endemic as a result of the …

Biodiversity of the Rio Paraná Delta, Argentina

Marcelo Fernandez Biotope, Biotopes of South America 2 Comments

For many years, when thinking about ornamental fish, I wonder how this paradise of species has not been better recognised and appreciated. This Argentine delta is a unique place, unlike any other similar habitat in the world. It is a beautiful wetland, a magical place with lagoons, jungle, grasslands and floating islands that form in the space of just a few years and are constantly mutating to give birth to new biotopes for different species – this place is so very rich in biodiversity. Firstly, to appreciate the size of this Eden of ornamental fish it is instrumental to know …

Apistogramma lineata | Biotope & First live photo!

Chris Englezou Biotope, Biotopes of South America, Chris Englezou, Fish History Leave a Comment

We are in the mid to lower Rio Atabapo, Colombia and back from travelling for many days exploring the Upper Atacavi river in Venezuela. We stop to prepare lunch next to the native ‘Piroa’ community of Gualloval Vitina, this village are the only natives of ‘Piroa’ descent along this river, the rest are known as ‘Kuripako’. The view from the island overlooking the flooded forests with the mountains in the distance. As the others settle down to eat, I climb my way up and over the igneous rock island where we’ve docked our boat and take some time to walk …

Exploring the Rio Atabapo; The search for true Altum Angels

Chris Englezou Biotope, Biotopes of South America, Chris Englezou 7 Comments

In September 2014, I had the opportunity to travel along the border of Colombia and Venezuela and deep into the Venezuelan rainforest in search of the elusive Altum Angel of the Rio Atabapo and many other amazing species. Here is an account of my journey which was published in the April 2015 edition of Practical Fishkeeping Magazine. Enjoy, Chris. As I stare out of the adjacent window eight thousand feet above land aboard this world war 2 DC3 cargo plane, the only flight going to our location, I am suddenly enamoured by this irreplicable view of untouched rainforest stretching right …

Heiko’s Lago Cuipeuá – Amazon Discus Biotope

Heiko Bleher Biotope, Biotopes of South America, Discus Fish 1 Comment

  Lago Cuipeuá – Amazon Heiko Bleher’s authentic Biotope from the Lake Cuipeuá, Amazon, Brazil. Habitat: This is a lake often confused in with the name Curipera. It is a smaller lake located west from the city Alenquer in the state of Pará in Brazil. There is a single native village of fishermen along its northern shore and the lake is surrounded by growth of large grass, which is submerged during high water period. There are some trees, but most of the area is deforested for cattle and buffalo farming. The lake connects with the Rio Curuá and other bodies …

The Fish Guys Expedition | Part 2

Ivan Mikolji Biotope, Biotopes of South America Leave a Comment

Expedition 2 takes you to the Lost World, ffxiv gil George Fear and I explore the border of Venezuela and Guyana finding some really special fish species and look at their biotopes and behaviour in their natural environments.

Fish collecting along the Rio Jandiatuba, Brasil.

Chris Englezou Biotope, Biotopes of South America, Chris Englezou Leave a Comment

The moment the reflection of the morning sun touches the surface of the river you understand why they call it white water; the milky reflection of the silt-laden flow makes you wonder how any aquatic creature navigates a daily existence here. Immediately I understand the necessity of the long whiskers of the Pimelodid catfish and the echolocation used by the river dolphins with their tiny eyes (almost pointless in such a river); I continuously observe for other insights and wonder what lessons are in store on this 10 day journey into the deepest jungles of the Amazon basin. I’ve finally …