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Jau River, Brazil
SELECTIONS INSPIRED BY THE FLOODED FOREST FLOORS OF BRAZIL...
The forest floors of Brazil are ecologically diverse biotopes, seasonally inundated by rain and overflowing adjacent water courses. Under the influence of these larger rivers, you will see various water depths based on the annual cycle of inundation. This influx of water floods surrounding rain forest floors, and the result is a feature called an igapo. Any material on the forest floor becomes part of the now aquatic environment, creating a fantastically diverse and beautiful habitat.
The Jau River is a blackwater river tributary of the Rio Negro, located between Moura and Nova Airao in the Central Amazon. This River is 300KM long and drains into largely undisturbed lowland tropical forest. During the rainy season, Igapo are abundant here.
And of course, we couldn't help but be inspired! The igapo is a fantastic "jumping off point" for exploring biotopically-themed aquariums. The botanicals here have been carefully curated from our collection for both their geographic "appropriateness", and, in some instances, for the way they resemble materials found in these habitats.
They're home to a surprising variety and population density of fishes, with some studies of igapo yielding as many as 20-40 different species of fishes in a 200 square meter area! The possibilities for us as hobbyists are irresistible! Go flood your own forest!
Cariniana Pod
Sold Out - $ 22.00
A true "gift from the jungle", the Cariniana Pod comes to us from the Cariniana legalis tree from South America. Interestingly, these are some of Brazil's oldest trees, with some...
"Twenty Twigs"- Assorted Small Oak Twigs (20 pcs.)
Sold Out - $ 5.00
Branches and twigs form the basis of many natural aquatic ecosystems, and they're perfectly suited for doing the same in aquariums. I first started playing with oak twigs and...
Sterculia
Sold Out - $ 16.00
The leaves of the Guava tree (Psidium guajava) provide many benefits for aquaria, including their well-documented antibacterial properties and their great value as a supplemental food source for ornamental shrimp....
"Monkey Pot"
Sold Out - $ 8.00
The aptly-named "Monkey Pot" is technically a nut, produced from the abundant tree, Lecythis pisonis, native to South America (most notably, the Amazonian region). The large, woody, gourd-like fruits are a...
"Bits and Pieces"- Assorted Small Root and Twig Sections (20 pcs.)
Sold Out - $ 5.00
Bits of roots, twigs, and shoots from terrestrial plants are found throughout the aquatic environment. They form a network of "interstitial spaces" on the substrate, where all sorts of...
Pygmy Date Palm Frond
Sold Out - $ 4.00
We've long entertained the idea of utilizing palm fronds in aquatic displays, and after seeing our friend Tai Streitman's amazing aquarium, with palm fronds as an integral part of the...
"Fundo Tropical" Natural Substrate Enhancement Media
Sold Out - $ 10.00
If you've been following my ramblings here at Tannin, you know that we're big fans of natural-looking substrates in biotope-inspired aquariums. Most of the tropical substrates that we've seen in...
Bael Tree Pod
Sold Out - $ 8.00
These unique pods are perfect for all sorts of aquatic applications! Actually, the dried fruit husk from the "Bael Tree", Aegle marmelos, they are reminiscent of the fruits and seed pods...
Kielmeyera Pod
Sold Out - $ 10.80
These attractive botanicals are pretty respectable in size; ranging from about 2.75"- 4" (6.98-10.16cm) in length, and about 1.25" to 2" (3.17-5.08cm) wide. They're a dense, surprisingly heavy little...
"Substrato Fino" Fine Grade Coconut-based Natural Substrate Enhancement Media
Sold Out - $ 7.00
"Substrato Fino" is a totally natural, sustainably-sourced, and highly functional substrate enhancement media that will give your botanical-method aquarium all the authenticity, aesthetic boost, and functionality that you'd want from...
Puberula Pod
Sold Out - $ 9.00
Another great botanical to mix in with your leaf litter. Puberula Pods are the fruit capsule of the Brazilian tree, Jacaranda puberula, and have a cool, light-colored leaf-like form on one...
Pyrifolium Pod
Sold Out - $ 8.00
We love these botanicals, because they have the appearance of a leaf, but have the "heft" that you'd expect from a seed pod. Derived from the Aspidosperma pyrifolium tree from...
Malaysian Yellow Mangrove Leaves
Sold Out - $ 22.00
In the brackish water estuary habitats of Malaysia, the Yellow Mangrove, Ceriops tagal, is quite common, providing shelter, food, and spawning areas for a diverse array of aquatic organisms. Mangroves...
Swietenia Pod
Sold Out - $ 8.00
We love these pods, because they have some characteristics of a leaf, but have the "heft" that you'd expect from a seed pod. Actually the inner "valve" of the fruit...
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