WORLD RANKING 0006

‘Embrace’

Josh Sim, Malaysia

Dimensions: 150x60x60cm

Plants: Anubias barteri var. ‘nana’, Blyxa japonica, Cryptocoryne parva, Fissidens fontanus, Eleocharis sp., Eriocaulon sp. ‘Vietnam’,

Hemianthus callitrichoides, Ludwigia sp. ‘Super Red’, Microsorum pteropus, Rotala sp. ‘Hra’, Rotala rotundifolia, Rotala sp. ‘Orange Juice’, Vesicularia dubyana.

Fish: Hyphessobrycon amandae, Otocinclus affinis, Crossocheilus oblongus, Caridina multidentata

IAPLC notes: Second Bronze Prize went to a fusion of interesting composition and beautiful aquatic plants. Conforming to a recent trend, compositional eccentricity seems to be emphasised. However, this aquascape is excellent because it successfully conveys a strong natural feeling in the orthodox composition of the driftwood. Moreover, stem plants positioned in the background on both the left and the right provide colour and comfort.

Although bushes of stem plants and ferns attached to the driftwood remind us of a conventional Nature Aquarium layout, it is interesting that the overall composition looks more modern, as seen in the recent contests.

Nathan says: I’d call this something of a classic but bold layout, but it definitely works. The central jagged design is framed in a smooth blend of colours created by a mish mash of stem plants, while sprigs of mosses give an aged look across the main focal region. To my eyes the bottom left of the piece is a little inert, and I suspect bolder fish could have been used, but this is still a magnificent aquarium.