The Congo (Zaire)
river has the second largest
volume of
water of any
river in the world, yet it is classed as the most powerful
river in the world due to massive
water currents that exist in certain parts of it.
It is estimated that 1,500,000 cubic feet of
water pass through its mouth every second.
It begins its journey with peaceful
water current but along its path it gradually widens and the
water current increases in speed. There is a 75 mile length of rapids that are impassable by the
river, traveling on land is the only way through.
The most famous region on the
river has to be Livingstone Falls; the rapids extend for 220 miles in this area. Similar rapid conditions do appear on other African rivers but not with such intensity. This
biotope is based on the Congo rapids but obviously only to a certain extent.
As with most of the African rivers the
water is fairly hard (6-10DH), with a
pH of 7.0-7.5.The
temperature range is between 77-81 deg F.
Setting up the tank
The recommended size of
tank for this
biotope is 200 liters (44 gallons). The
water needs to be highly oxygenated to create the rapid turbulence; therefore the
water in the
aquarium should be well-aerated with an
airline. Leave plenty of swimming space but adding large
river rocks for effect works well. The
substrate should be fine
gravel or sand. Creating the
water current is not too difficult, placing the spray bar from an external to one end of the
tank will work, and another option is to add a
power head to give the same effect. I have seen some set ups where the current is provided by two sponge
filters taking in the
water which is then passed by means of piping to two
power heads at the other end of the
tank, this gives out a very strong current indeed.
Plants for the tank
Not many
plant species are capable of surviving the strong
water current, only use hardy
plants that are well anchored or protected from the
water current. The only
plants really suitable for this
biotope are the African
Water Fern and the Anubias species. One way of anchoring the Anubias is to attach it to a length of slate with fishing line until its roots attach, the slate can then be hidden beneath the
substrate.
Fish for the tank
Eutropiellus (African glass
catfish) will love the strong
water current and is a very peaceful species. This species is best kept in groups of six or more, solitary glass
catfish do not fair well in the
tank.
Syndontis
catfish contain several species that can be found with wonderful markings but they do like hiding places in the
tank with some floating
plants for shade.
Distichodus added for interest, these are sometimes referred to as clown
tetra, but don’t let the name fool you, these
fish can grow up to 15 inches in length.
Lamprologus are
African cichlids, there are many species but most do not grow to a great size but they all have character as do most cichlids.
Source of information
Rhett A. Butler/mongabay.com.
African River Rapids
has been viewed times since June 30, 2009.