Salobra River delta- Pantanal wetland river habitat, Brazil.

Footage from the Salobra River delta in the southern Pantanal wetlands of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. This was recorded during flood season, when the riverbanks and surrounding water-meadows and forests become inundated, providing habitat and food to many of the 330 species of fish found within the Pantanal.
List of species I have collected from the Salobra River delta between 2018 and 2020:
Characidium laterale (Boulenger, 1895)
Hoplias misionera Rosso, Mabragaña, González-Castro, Delpiani, Avigliano, Schenone et al. 2016
Pygocentrus nattereri Kner, 1858
Serrasalmus maculatus Kner, 1858
Serrasalmus marginatus Valenciennes, 1837
Leporinus friderici (Bloch, 1794)
Leporinus striatus Kner, 1858
Schizodon borellii (Boulenger, 1900)
Cyphocharax gillii (Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903)
Psectrogaster curviventris Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903
Steindachnerina brevipinna (Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889)
Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1837)
Pyrrhulina australis Eigenmann & Kennedyi, 1903
Triportheus nematurus (Kner, 1858)
Triportheus pantanensis Malabarba, 2004
Bryconops melanurus (Bloch, 1794)
Piabucus melanostoma Holmberg, 1891
Acestrorhynchus pantaneiro Menezes, 1992
Aphyocharax nattereri (Steindachner, 1882)
Aphyocharax rathbuni Eigenmann, 1907
Aphyocharax dentatus Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903
Astyanax alleni (Eigenmann & McAtee, 1907)
Astyanax lacustris (Lütken, 1875)
Charax leticiae Lucena, 1987
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (Boulenger, 1895)
Hemigrammus lunatus Durbin, 1918
Hemigrammus neptunus Zarske & Géry, 2002
Hemigrammus tridens (Eigenmann, 1907)
Hemigrammus ulreyi (Boulenger, 1895)
Hyphessobrycon elachys Weitzman, 1985
Hyphessobrycon eques (Steindachner, 1882)
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus (Eigenmann, 1915)
Jupiaba acanthogaster (Eigenmann, 1911)
Moenkhausia bonita Benine, Castro & Sabino, 2004
Moenkhausia dichroura (Kner, 1858)
Moenkhausia forestii Benine, Mariguela & Oliveira, 2009
Moenkhausia oligolepis (Günther, 1864)
Odontostible pequira (Steindachner, 1882)
Phenacogaster tegatus (Eigenmann, 1911)
Poptella paraguayensis (Eigenmann, 1907)
Psellogrammus kennedyi (Eigenmann, 1903)
Serrapinus calliurus (Boulenger, 1900)
Serrapinus kriegi (Schindler, 1937)
Tetragonopterus argenteus Cuvier, 1816
Xenurobrycon macropus Myers & Miranda Ribeiro, 1945
Eigenmannia cf. trilineata López & Castro, 1966
Gymnotus carapo australis Linnaeus, 1758
Brachyhypopomus bombilla Loureiro & Silva, 2006
Ituglanis herberti (Miranda Ribeiro, 1940)
Corydoras aff. aeneus (Gill, 1858)
Corydoras sp. gr. C. elegans group
Corydoras hastatus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888
Corydoras polystictus Regan, 1912
Leptohoplosternum pectorale (Boulenger, 1895)
Hypoptopoma inexspectatum (Holmberg, 1893)
Hypostomus boulengeri (Eigenmann & Kennedy 1903)
Otocinclus bororo Schaefer 1997
Pterygoplichthys ambrosetti (Holmberg, 1893)
Rineloricaria aurata (Knaack, 2002)
Rineloricaria parva (Boulenger, 1895)
Scoloplax empousa Schaefer, Weitzman & Britski, 1989
Pseudobunocephalus rugosus (Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903)
Trachelyopterus galeatus Linnaeus, 1766
Anadoras weddellii (Castelnau, 1855)
Imparfinis cf. stictonotus (Fowler, 1940)
Pimelodella mucosa Eigenmann & Ward, 1907
Pimelodus pantaneiro Souza-Filho & Shibatta, 2007
Synbranchus cf. madeirae Rosen & Rumney, 1972
Apistogramma commbrae (Reagan, 1906)
Astronotus crassipinnis (Heckel, 1840)
Bujurquina vittata (Heckel, 1840)
Cichlasoma dimerus (Heckel, 1840)
Crenicichla lepidota Heckel, 1840
Crenicichla semifasciata (Heckel, 1840)
Gymnogeophagus balzanii (Perugia, 1891)
Mesonauta festivus (Heckel, 1840)
Melanorivulus punctatus (Boulenger, 1895)
Potamorrhaphis eigenmanni Miranda Ribeiro, 1915
List of species I have photographed (but not collected) in the Salobra River Delta between 2018 and 2020:
Aphyocharax anisitsi Eigenmann & Kennedy 1903
Psalidodon marionae (Eigenmann 1911)
Brycon hilarii (Valenciennes, 1850)
Chaetobranchopsis australis Eigenmann & Ward 1907
Crenicichla vittata Heckel, 1840
Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus (Spix & Agassiz, 1829)
Hoplosternum littorale (Hancock, 1828)
Hypoptopoma cf. inexpectatum (Holmberg, 1893)
Hypostomus affinis (Steindachner, 1877)
Hypostomus basilisko Tencatt, Zawadzki & Froehlich, 2014
Myloplus levis (Eigenmann & McAtee 1907)
Pimelodella gracilis (Valenciennes, 1835)
Platydoras armatulus (Valenciennes, 1840)
Potamotrygon cf. falkneri Castex & Maciel, 1963
Potamotrygon cf. pantanensis Loboda & Carvalho, 2013
Potamotrygon motoro (Müller & Henle, 1841)
Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (Spix & Agassiz, 1829)
Roeboides microlepis (Reinhardt, 1851)
Salminus brasiliensis (Cuvier, 1816)

[@Qporradnomedisponive]

What a beautiful yellowish green and red tetra at 5:35. Awesome video.

[@biotopia5319]

Aphyocharax rathbuni :)

[@jakescot7850]

Excellent....a gratifying look at a pristine freshwater ecosystem. An idyllic visual journey, pleasing to the soul. Thank God there are still places like this.

[@christianwilms9143]

I've had aquariums since I was a little boy. I dreamed my fish could fly in my room. Your video makes the dream come true a bit. That's why I set up a Pantanal biotope aquarium and I love it very much. my favorites are Hemigrammus Ulreyi… Thanks for sharing this video and for your enthusiasm! Greetings from Germany

[@rafaelmoro9114]

I always had the same dream about fish flying on air.

[@monikat2327]

I also had such dreams. Very often. Strange that not only me.

[@chenkarp]

I have the same dreams. ❤

[@magstheonlyone]

Being a tetra lover I found this video very short. Thanks for sharing!

[@knyghtryder3599]

Seriously we need characin/tetra societies and breeding clubs hyphesobrocon jackrobertsi for life!!!!!

[@eugenedanker2377]

I started a 36 gallon black water type tank 3 weeks ago. Like it so much I am going to renovate my 60 gallon tank into the same thing. Only tetras and cories.

[@fancymanchucky]

I have dreams like this.

[@bengtl.akesson1725]

You can watch the video at half the normal speed - 47 min !

[@luiscoig8703]

It is fascinating to see the natural habitat of all these fish that we only see in aquariums. They exist in such great numbers, and they have so much space to live in, that compared to any aquarium, the river seems infinite. Now I have to snorkel in tropical rivers before I die.

[@wolverinebear5357]

Love your videos, these are exactly what those of us in the aquarium hobby love to see.

[@biotopia5319]

that makes my day!

[@brannonevans3685]

Love it.. I could spend all day, many days snorkeling or diving at a spot like this, and never ever get tired of it. BEAUTIFUL!

[@branislavnagy5424]

The nature makes the nicest aquarium.

[@thunderfalkfalk5590]

Top video ,thank you ,from Rhineland Germany .

[@kanocampillo]

Thanks for share. Greetings from Colombia

[@SassyMommy12]

I can't believe how soothing watching this, I love especially all the river life of Brazil. Would you help me with some suggestions on water plants that can help revive a lightly polluted river? Need to do something with the river in my area. Thank you so much

[@keffinsg]

Truly wonderful. How can something so beautiful be almost painful to watch?

[@primadeca4062]

amazing footage

[@Fatjohny100]

Can't stop watching these videos. Very therapeutic...

[@lehappydog]

Amazing video! Wow pure perfection! Thanks 👍

[@juliaabelle8581]

omg, copella och pyrrulina got caught in your awesome footage, my heart sings! Amazing work and a joy to see such an abundance of our beloved fishy ))

[@eugenedanker2377]

This is very relaxing.

[@klausoxen6597]

I found the video today ... INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL !!! 🥰 For that you deserve an Oscar (or two) !!! Greetings from Germany

[@biotopia5319]

Hi Klaus, thank you for your kind words and I'm very happy you like the video! Schus!

[@michaelbelanger8246]

Thank you sir, for showing all of us ,a place in in world we could not likely see for ourselves. Love and thanksgiving

[@biotopia5319]

Thank you for your kind words Michael!

[@The_Robert.Fletcher]

That is so good I could and will watch this over. Thanks for the upload.

[@centaureg]

Amazing footage. Who would ever have an aquarium if this ichthyological wonderland were close by. I've never seen a greater preponderance of wild tetras assembled in one short film. Thank You!

[@biotopia5319]

Thank you! Well...I still have three tanks in the house, four 500l water tubs and a children's swimming pool with fish in the garden, one of the advantages of the tropical climate! The Pantanal doesn't have the species diversity of the Amazon Basin but it makes up for it in abundance, not just in fish but in all fauna and flora. Pleased you enjoyed the footage!

[@ironix1]

Brilliant. You are very lucky and thanks for sharing. I have swam, dived and snorkeled here in the UK for over thirty years and can only dream of doing it in the temperatures you experience.

[@FloodXL]

I could watch your videos all day. This is great, thank you.

[@biotopia5319]

Thank you! :)

[@andycarter4581]

Beautiful on the eyes and ears, thank you 👍

[@casualearth-dandavis]

Absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much for the work you do.

[@magenrichard6468]

Super footage, that river are so healty,

[@biotopia5319]

It's the only river in the state where fishing is illegal so it is in good condition :)

[@StanTheObserver-lo8rx]

@@biotopia5319 A news story in the NYT said that the Pantanal is being burned at a record rate. That damn Bolsonaro is killing Brazil's forest..and the people support him for the $300 a month the forest is giving per Brazilian. Something Like that.

[@iambobfritz]

Unspeakably beautiful

[@josemontalvo4532]

Wow! So beautiful. I enjoyed watching this video. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@biotopia5319]

Thanks Jose!

[@edisonle8141]

Thanks for the videos, very beautiful

[@biotopia5319]

You're very welcome Edison :D

[@davidnollmusic363]

This is wonderful to see the fishes in their native habitat. The only problem I have watching it was that the camera moved around so much that it caused some nausea. It would be really good if you could find a way to stabilize the camera so it gave a smoother video. Thanks so much for making the video!

[@biol.alfredoe.viteramirez3497]

Excellent video, wonderful these fish, you bring us closer to their natural habitat. Keep sharing this, for us that we are not fortunate enough to be close to them. Regards

[@biotopia5319]

Thank you! I'm pleased you enjoy the video :D

[@Parakeetwilds]

This is my far one of my favorite KZbin Channel and THIS got to be my favorite Video so far! I could have this on a loop and watch this for HOURS! I DREAM of making several Biotope Aquariums that replicates the Various habitats that you have shown!!!! I know its been made in 2019, but I can't tell you enough how much I LOVE this! Thank you for taking the time to show the rest of the world this beautiful watery world! You are amazing! Cheers Pirmin J.

[@biotopia5319]

Thank you for your very kind words Pirmin, that means a lot to me! I'm really happy that you enjoy it and I hope this year I can bring your more interesting videos! :)

[@HATtw]

Fantastic footage. Thank you for sharing. I am studying rheophilic fish and been recording streams in Central Taiwan mountain areas. I think biotope aquariums are the way forward and really allow fish to exhibit their best natural behaviours. I have subscribed and will be going through all your videos.

[@biotopia5319]

Sounds cool! Like Rhinogobius? Yes, biotopes are finally being taken seriously :D

[@HATtw]

@@biotopia5319 Yes. I have bred R. Candidius in my biotope

[@darrylmoore5847]

That was incredible, thank you for sharing it.

[@fujiwaranoteika92]

Beautiful ! Thank you for sharing

[@Aladhruin]

it's amazing how it changes your (my) perspective when you see them at your LFS, and then you come across this video, and there they are, in their natural habitat!! I couldn't believe my eyes. Thank you for making this video.

[@titodeharo]

Amazing video ! One of my dreams to see them like that for real !

[@pedrojosefernandez3744]

Maravilla de vídeo, mil gracias...😉👍👽🖖🛸🛸🛸

[@rickcolbert924]

Amazing video! I like the music as well very tranquil.I'm amazed you show a home along the river.Your own aquarium.I'm now a Subscriber. Thank you. Rick San Diego,Ca

[@spsniper1170]

Wow..very cool..are those big green fire tetras..

[@I8Drone]

Exceptional footage. Keep up the great work!

[@biotopia5319]

Thank you!

[@Laurent-o2t]

I gave up aquarium keeping a few years ago for ethical reasons. Your magnificent video reassures me more than ever in my decision. Fish are not made to live in aquariums!

[@daicaghund3587]

Its really interesting the contrast between how we keep our Aquarium environment and the environment the fish we keep actually come from. Excellent video and thank you for sharing this! Keep dodging those crocodiles and Pythons! Oh and the stone fish too ;)

[@biotopia5319]

Thank you! :D

[@vinniejudilla3921]

So incredibly beautiful! Thank you for sharing👍👍👍

[@khoibamdhaneshworsingh320]

❤❤❤ amazing breath taking beauty

[@notsure9802]

Absolutely beautiful 💜

[@ВикторИвин-м3ь]

Dear Biotopia author, thank you for your work! Your video and comments below helped a lot more than the mass of literature read and watched videos of other authors. I have been interested in biotopes since 1997, when I first came across the Fishkeeping Magazine with a biotope of the Corydoras barbatus. I recently bought H. elachys and am trying to make them a biotope. You have helped immensely. Are there any apistograms and corydoras in these waters, except for C.hastatus? Thank you very much, dear friend!

[@biotopia5319]

Hi there! It makes me very happy to read your message! I am sorry for the delay in replying, life has been hectic here! Well, I can help you for sure...feel free to send me a message via instagram @biotopiatai and I will be happy to chat to you. I have found Corydoras aeneus, C. polystictus, C. hastatus and C. aff. elegans in the habitats of H. elachys. Using C. hastatus would be amazing as they will shoal together (due to their mimicry of the tetras). Apistogramma found with them are A. commbrae and A. trifasciata :) I hope this is helpful!

[@rusticitas]

5:41 What are those amazing looking fish with the elongated bodies and head/“snout” (pardon my lack of knowing the correct nomenclature)

[@sambalpedas944]

Woww Amazing.. Please update new videos.

[@ParissouslaJungle]

Thank you so much for sharing ! Great for inspiration.

[@biotopia5319]

thank you!

[@Garykorat]

Wonderfull, beautifull. So nice to see them in the wild. Great.

[@christinepetersen2513]

Thanks 💖💖💖🐟

[@NaturMehr]

Incredible of what you found there 👍The high amount of different species are amazing. Many thanks for sharing! Greetings from Germany, Bernd 👋🙂

[@Natquascape]

Amazing video. Is this someone's back yard! It's amazing! Dream to live there

[@lottaaurell]

Beautiful 😍❤️

[@billbucher3177]

Fantastic Video, well done! Thank you so much for sharing. I have been involved in this hobby for 45 years always dreamed of going to the beautiful place you have shared!

[@biotopia5319]

Thank you for your kind words Bill :)

[@geoffbreen2386]

This video made me feel good.

[@biotopia5319]

and that makes ME feel good, I'm really glad you enjoyed it :D

[@cicco1838]

So awesome bro thank you so much for video,s

[@cristophermardel5590]

Perfeito vídeo,Deus puro.

[@Hellacop6]

Fantastic video, now I want some serpae tetra for my next tank 🙏

[@yunusahmed2721]

Wow what are these tetras at 4:29

[@steffanjansenvanvuuren3257]

So Amazing

[@ericplunder2744]

Thank you ☺️

[@mamutelp]

Amazing video!!!

[@osmarluissegato5754]

fantástico vídeo, natureza maravilhosa.

[@Fatjohny100]

Thanks to everyone who made this possible..

[@newerafrican]

Think of how many of the world's rivers were as clean as this 100 - 200 years ago.

[@szymonpolak5811]

Kawał dobrej roboty😉szkoda że National Geographic nie kreci takich filmów tylko nudne rafy koralowe. Relaksująca muzyczka do tego można odpłynąć😊

[@biotopia5319]

Co? :P Je nie mowie po polska...

[@szymonpolak5811]

Very goog movie😉

[@instantgoko9670]

Nice workk

[@ricardoluizcarvalhojunior6892]

Incrível, eu nunca tinha visto um video de agua doce tão bonito.

[@DoctorJaszczur]

8:24 - 8:34 Green-red Fish, with white fin ??? This is the some species of Hyphessobrycon ???

[@tauncfester3022]

Kinda looks like a really colored up Bloodfin, they get a bit of a green tint in the forward and upper body areas. OK these are Aphyocharax Rathbuni or Rathbuni's Bloodfin. Pretty rare, I don't see these in Wet Spot's listings. A lot of these fish in this video are familiar yet not.. The red fish with the black humeral spot are like Red Phantoms but sort of different.

[@biotopia5319]

Aphyocharax rathbuni

[@biotopia5319]

@@tauncfester3022 The red fish with the black spot are Hyphessobrycon megalopterus, what we think of as 'Black Phantoms', in the Guaporé drainage to the north you can find darker individuals which are probably from where the first imports came, here in the Salobra they are red :)

[@tauncfester3022]

@@biotopia5319 Are you sure they aren't Red Phantoms? I've kept and bred them and there seems to be some regional differences. The ones I was getting locally had big black pennant like dorsal fins in the males which they would spend hour in threat flaring at each other with.

[@Sahity]

What camere did you use bro? nice footage.

[@biotopia5319]

Hi there, thanks! It's an Olympus TG5 :)

[@imrichdo]

Excelentné, nádherné 🎥

[@guessguess2220]

Great video. I noticed there is more than 5 species of tetra that shoal together .i didnt knew they do that in.the wild .

[@biotopia5319]

Thanks! Yes, many species will mix together for security in the wild :)

[@mongopunisher91]

Those rays are cool. Up here saltwater ones have a tail fin. I thought one had its tail eaten in your video but it looks like that's how they are. Also it looks like they have back feet. Crazy stuff.

[@croma4158]

6:00 are these live-bearers 🤔

[@TaiAfrica]

Thanks for showing us the beauty of nature, it's very inspiring ^C^

[@АндрейТарабаров-м8ц]

Завораживает, природа такая выдумщица. ❤. Привет из далёкой России.

[@sideleyOriginal]

I am happy to see this underwater Eden is still well alive. So impressed by the density of rays. What species of tetra is that one shown through 4:39 ?

[@biotopia5319]

Hi, those are Pyrrhulina australis :)

[@thefishylife6823]

Are those bigass leporinus...sp. fredericki??? I love leporinus species! They all are awesome fish and quite beautiful!

[@biotopia5319]

Hi! Yes they are L. frederici :D

[@marcomedini9131]

This is why I am against keeping tetras in groups smaller then 20-30 and in small tanks. Amazing video!

[@biotopia5319]

You're right, always best in large numbers :)

[@kwarra-an]

I was going to get 6. Seeing this, and knowing I have the space... it's 20 to start with.

[@livinggold8368]

I have planted tank and I can watch my tank whole day and I can spend my whole life in Pantanal wetland river.

[@thefishylife6823]

I'd take it over great barrier reef any day!!!!

[@DAN22941]

amazing! protect this place. Almost seems unreal.

[@fload46d]

Could you possibly name the tetras seen in the video?

[@alfpacino1813]

Tan hermoso, tan frágil...

[@aquaticparadiseag1548]

Hello I love your videos. A question, Do you know any biotope where Apistogramma borellii, Aphyocharax rathbuni and Corydoras hastatus live together?

[@biotopia5319]

Hey, yes, quite a few habitats within the Pantanal would have that combination and along the Paraguay river basin within Brazil :)

[@aquaticparadiseag1548]

@@biotopia5319 Thank you very much for your response. Excellent, I keep all three species and I want to recreate their biotope. You know what plants they encounter.

[@biotopia5319]

@@aquaticparadiseag1548 In habitats I've seen them among Mayaca sp., Ludwigia inclinata sp., Ceratophyllum demersum, Nymphaea gardneriana and Myriophyllum matogrossense...floating plants like Eichhornia crassipes and Salvina natans :)

[@vitaliyvyntu4566]

Very interesting

[@StanTheObserver-lo8rx]

I hate when Stingrays swim over my flooded lawn. What was the exquisite lime green and red (tetra?) little fish around the 5 minute or so mark?

[@ArjanKop]

Aphyocharax rathbuni

[@StanTheObserver-lo8rx]

@@ArjanKop Thanks....watching it again....

[@KrakenAquamedia]

Wow! Amazing video!

[@biotopia5319]

Thanks!

[@dirk261100]

Wow !

[@hassan-alikhan]

thank you for making this

[@synthesaurus]

What are the species @4:19 ?

[@PrajwalShetty-sh3vv]

Same question

[@tubingtomtom]

Rainbow

[@jazerlights8870]

This is a great vid!

[@Cgraseck]

How difficult is it to maneuver around the rays? They seem pretty chill but it looks like they are everywhere.

[@biotopia5319]

They are usually quite shy, but after a while, if you move around very calmly, they get used to you...that's when it becomes an issue because they start to swim underneath you in the very shallow water and suddenly your chest is inches above a ray! However, if you just stay still there is no problem. The issue is placing your hands or feet on sandy substrate or pursuing them too much, then you can find trouble. :)

[@macplier]

Beautiful Astronautus in Nature!!!!

[@mewes4536]

Is the first small tetra with the black spot near the fin Hyphessobrycon Elachys?

[@Z4U3398]

Pardon my asking, Tai but were there any species of aquatic plants found in these parts of the river familiar to the aquascaper? I'm mesmerised by this vid & I'm contemplating to emulate a Salobra River biotope in my own tank.

[@xisotopex]

what fish is that at @11:22? greenish front half and dorsal body, reddish caudal/ventral body...?

[@biotopia5319]

Hi, that is Rathbun's tetra, Aphyocharax rathbuni, very easy to find in the aquarium trade :)

[@Cakegrrrl]

What is the name of the beautiful green and red fish that is schooling around with the red eyed tetras?

[@biotopia5319]

Hi there, they are Aphyocharax rathbuni :)

[@boleterialicey8913]

NAME? 4:38