brackish mangrove habitat

Sploke

Sploke

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Oct 20, 2005
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Matt
I've been doing some research on setting up a brackish mangrove habitat, but not necessarily a biotope in the strictest sense. My initial idea was to have a large open-topped tank and the mangroves grow out the top. Then I started reading about mudskippers and crabs and all that fun stuff, and I'm thinking about a mostly water tank with a beach type area.

My initial thinking right now is to get a long, low tank, like 4 feet long and 12-18" tall and work out some way to put like a beach on one end. Then, in the water, maybe a puffer or moray, some scats, maybe an archerfish or something, and maybe some mudskippers (hence the beach). One problem is that I would like to utilize most of the full depth of the tank, so I would probably want to work out some sort of shelf so I don't end up taking up 40-50% of the tank to construct a beach in 16" of water.

I may be getting in way over my head and way underestimating what would be involved in this project, but heck thats why I'm here first. Anyone have experience setting up a habitat like this?
 
So I've done a little more research, and come up with some issues in my original design. It looks like I won't be getting a puffer, since they would probably try ot eat most of the other stuff I would like to put in. Same thing with the moray. So, I'm down to a mudskipper, 2 or 3 bumblebee gobies, an archerfish, maybe 2 red-clawed crabs, and maybe a group of swordtails or something to fill in the space. Here's a pic of what I'm imagining:

mangrovetank.jpg


I would like to build a kind of table with pvc and put some sort of container on it to hold sand for a beach area, with a piece of driftwood or something leading up to it. Then, a bunch of rocks on the bottom for caves etc. The tall things are mangrove trees, sticking out the top. Any suggestions? This forum doesn't get a lot of views, but I'm open to feedback.


edit: wow thats small but you get the idea....gotta love paint.
 
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Mangrove habitat

So, how's the tank going? I used to live in Pohnpei Micronesia which is surrounded by Mangroves. The same species lived in brakish and salt water. On the reef, small islands would be surrounded by them and all kinds of fish would live around their roots (butterflies, moorish idols, etc.). The ones in brackish water had monos and crabs living with them. I got interested in keeping them, but never got around to it. Are they easy to keep in a tank? How deep can you keep the water relative to the height of the mangrove plant? I'd be interested in hearing about your experiences. Best of luck
Azorean
 
Haha well its going, but slowly. I finally resealed the tank, and its leak free. I've gotten the filter planned out, but I just blew about 200 bucks on parts to get my mtn bike up and running for the season, so the tank is a little set back right now lol. Once I really get it started I'll definitely post some pictures up.
 
Mangrove habitat

Hey, keep us posted. I for one am very interested in what you're doing. When you get started can you post some pics?
Thanks:
Azorean:
PS: If you want to be real adventureous try keeping an upsidedown jellyfish. I saw plenty of those around the mangroves in Micronesia
 
Im also pretty interested to see what you cooked up. It sounds pretty sweet :D
 
jungle aquarium

flyfly said:
Im also pretty interested to see what you cooked up. It sounds pretty sweet :D
Click to expand...

Dude, I just checked up your jungle aquarium. Totally *****in' tank!

Azorean
 
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