JBL expedition returns from the Colombian rainforest with some surprising results

"The cardinal tetra is not a schooling fish and the altum angelfish lives between boulders" is just a few of the observations made in several blackwater biotopes and documented by the 34 member team in the lowlands of Colombia! But that’s not all: Freshwater rays were found in streams only a few centimetres wider than the rays themselves. Identical fish species were found in clear water AND in blackwater - meaning, of course, in completely different water values. Militant animal rights activists would despair, as it would overturn their worldview of "impossible" species-appropriate aquarium care. Such recognised experts among the participants of the JBL Expedition as Dr. Wolfgang Staeck or Daniel Kon-Vetterlein confirmed that there is no such thing as THE biotope for many fish species. Altum angelfish, for example, need a protected area where they are safe from large predators. Whether this consists of rocks or wooden roots does not matter to them. At any rate, this casts doubt on any overgeneralised statements about the required habitat of a fish species. Last example: a bottom dwelling tetra (Characidium) and an eartheater (Geophagus steindachneri) fighting side by side against a heavy current (captured on an underwater photo as proof). If you would like to experience all these exciting things for yourself, you can register for the second JBL expedition to Colombia on the JBL website until May. Or you can view all the results, photos and videos shortly on the JBL website.

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