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Planning an Orinoco River biotope aquarium, based on the clearwater section. Using the Aqua One Horizon 130 - 92cm length, 36cm diameter, 42cm height. Replacing the filter, heater, and lights, with dimmable lights a must. Considering adding a cave for the ram cichlids, but it needs to blend in. Replicating the water parameters and temperature is a priority. First time attempting a biotope, so wish me luck.

Fish list:

11 cardinal tetras (5 existing, 6 new)
Pair of Orinoco ram cichlids (male and female); German blue, since wild-caught ones are hard to find in Perth stores

Total: 13 fish

Plant list:

Coontail (a good alternative, as Mayaca are considered pests here)
Sagittaria subulata (possibly native to the Orinoco)
Helanthium tenellum (also possibly native to the Orinoco)

Does this sound like a solid plan?

Orinoco ram cichlids are actually a common name for Mikrogeophagus altispinosus. German blue rams are a different species, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi. I wouldn't mix both in a 3 foot tank.

coltin wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 6:08 am Orinoco ram cichlids are actually a common name for Mikrogeophagus altispinosus. German blue rams are a different species, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi. I wouldn't mix both in a 3 foot tank.

The Orinoco ram is actually Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, which I personally refer to as the Orinoco blue ram due to its range in Venezuela. In my opinion, this is more accurate in a species sense than simply calling it a 'German blue ram'. The 'German blue' is essentially a variety of this species. Given that wild-caught fish aren't available in aquarium stores here, I've got no choice but to opt for the German blue variety of the Orinoco ram cichlid.