Small creek near Pobreza Stream, Rio Blanco, Peru, by Jan Šulc (Czech Republic)

Assessed by: Roberto E. Reis (PUCRS), Francesco Denitto, and Donald C. Taphorn (UNELLEZ)

Jan says: “This aquarium represents an acid blackwater creek located in a low-lying forest area known as igapó — pure water with low levels of salts and nutrients, 6km from the main course of Rio Blanco. Forests are growing on white sands and the bottom of the creek is covered with a fine layer of leaf litter, organic material and shallow-soil roots that limit erosion and retain the nutrients and salts necessary for plants and animals. This aquarium shows a very common natural habitat, with one of the most favourite aquarium fish — Paracheirodon innesi, also known as Neon tetra.”

Forests are growing on white sands and the bottom of the creek is covered with a fine layer of leaf litter, organic material and shallow-soil roots that limit erosion and retain the nutrients and salts necessary for plants and animals