How do you guys research plants for biotopes?

So I haven't built a biotope yet, however I've got a 75 gallon I want to set up as either an Rio Teuchitlan (Mexican Ameca Splendens) or an Indian/South Asian biotope of barbs and loaches (thinking Gange, Chalakudy, Irrawaddy rivers). There are tons of resources online for fish, I regularly pull up seriouslyfish.com, badmans, or research papers on rivers/lakes, specifically searching for conspecifics and habitat information. Many papers seem to focus on the fish, ecological damage, and other issues. My main trick is to google the scientific name of the fish and the river/lake it's found in and hope there's plant info in the pdfs. Very little is mentioned about aquatic plants. I've gotten lucky with researching the Rio Teuchitlan, as there is a very active community dedicated to the ameca splendens and habitat is well researched and I've found a variety of plants to choose from. Many other species are a shoot tho.

My main "cheat" right now is to google the fish species or the location it's found + biotope (example: Ameca splendens biotope, or Rio Teuchitlan biotope). There usually are 5-6 entries to a biotope competition to check out and I sometimes get some ideas there. Unfortunately even some entries contain errors as I've seen judging notes point out species that aren't in the particular area.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble. All I want is a way to find specific plants that are in specific rivers/lakes. Submerged plants, plants along banks (riparian), floating plants, etc.

 

My main "cheat" right now is to google the fish species or the location it's found + biotope (example: Ameca splendens biotope, or Rio Teuchitlan biotope). There usually are 5-6 entries to a biotope competition to check out and I sometimes get some ideas there. Unfortunately even some entries contain errors as I've seen judging notes point out species that aren't in the particular area.

Do you mean the biotope aquarium contest website? I love this site exactly for the reason that it contains infos about the biotopes. Of couse, those are not all true, since everybody can contribute and I also don't think that the judges can spot all the mistakes (how could they?). But some habitats have been very well researched there. Some people have been on location and add video material as their source of information.
In fact, I particularly liked the River teuchitlan biotope in the contest: this one. (You probably have already seen it.)

Another possiblity might be to search videos (on youtube, e.g.) of the habitats. There are actually plenty of certain south american habitats, but I didn't find any for your habitat right away. The Ameca splendens is an endangered species, isn't it? Does its habitat actually still exist?

 

Do you mean the biotope aquarium contest website? I love this site exactly for the reason that it contains infos about the biotopes. Of couse, those are not all true, since everybody can contribute and I also don't think that the judges can spot all the mistakes (how could they?). But some habitats have been very well researched there. Some people have been on location and add video material as their source of information.
In fact, I particularly liked the River teuchitlan biotope in the contest: this one. (You probably have already seen it.)

Another possiblity might be to search videos (on youtube, e.g.) of the habitats. Their are actually plenty of certain south american habitats, but I didn't find any for your habitat right away. The Ameca splendens is an endangered species, isn't it? Does its habitat actually still exist?

Yes, that biotope is one of my favorites! The algae on the rocks is supreme, I've seen first placers have to use moss (incorrectly!) to get that affect.

Unfortunately their habitat is severely limited, the last place they were found in any numbers is an old abandoned water park. Such a shame. To recreate conditions tho is something of a challenge I'm totally up for, and if that helps from keeping this fish going extinct that would be great. Some have attempted to reintroduce the species, unfortunately their habitat has been degraded by modern industry. This might be a bitter sweet story of a fish saved from extinction, but not able to be found in the wild anymore. Thankfully Greg Sage at Select Aquatics still breeds the species.

With regards to youtube videos, that's a great idea! I've learned a lot about SA cichlids on some of the collection videos I've seen (not sure if it was Ted Judy or Dustin). I shall give it a try!

 

Hard to understand why this biotope aquarium only made 22th place. I would have ranked it much higher. As you said: the algaes <3 ! But also the light! It looks soo natural.
Sad to hear about the habitat of the Ameca splendes. I know, that in germany, there are people breeding this species, too. Will you also give it a try?

 

Hard to understand why this biotope aquarium only made 22th place. I would have ranked it much higher. As you said: the algaes <3 ! But also the light! It looks soo natural.
Sad to hear about the habitat of the Ameca splendes. I know, that in germany, there are people breeding this species, too. Will you also give it a try?

The only thing stopping me is getting the plants.

I'm trying to aquire the potamogeton right now. Hopefully natans, if not then maybe nodosus. I'm not even sure how well the plant will do in an aquarium lol. I went back and forth with this Canadian nursery for over a year before they informed me they couldn't send the plants down to America. I've emailed all the UK shops that sell it, nobody replies. Amazingly I found an American nursery that might have it just yesterday. Have to give em a try and if that falls through, maybe go on a hike and pull some out of a lake or something lol!

 

I also look at pictures and descriptions of biotope tanks. Or at underwaterfootage of that biotope if available. I've been helping researching people for their biotopes a lot. You get a hinch for it in time.

I also have no problem using available plants of the same group/type as stand-ins if the original plants are not available.

 

Have a look here Biotope Aquariums

 

I also look at pictures and descriptions of biotope tanks. Or at underwaterfootage of that biotope if available. I've been helping researching people for their biotopes a lot. You get a hinch for it in time.

I also have no problem using available plants of the same group/type as stand-ins if the original plants are not available.

Thanks, I might hit you up if I get stumped!

Have a look here Biotope Aquariums

Mongabay is a great resource, thanks for sharing. I haven't seen this site in forever, gonna dive in.

 

Unfortunately the only way I've found so far is to spend hours reading up on random plants until I find ones that show origins in the same country/body of water type as the fish I have.

Best of luck, and I'd love to see pics of the end result.

 

Thanks, I might hit you up if I get stumped!

Do so! At worst I have no time.