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Ecosystem

The Food Chain in the Aquarium

CADENA DE NUTRIENTES DEL ACUARIO☀️ENERGÍALuz solar o LED🌱PRODUCTORESPlantas y Algas🦐CONSUMIDORESPeces e Invertebrados🦠DESCOMPONEDORESBacterias y Microfauna🔄MINERALIZACIÓNRetorno de Nutrientes

The Role of Microfauna

  • Copepods: Microscopic crustaceans—an excellent live natural food source for small fish and corals
  • Amphipods: Benthic crustaceans — bottom scavengers
  • Nematodes: Microscopic roundworms — they break down organic matter
  • Protozoa: Initial decomposition of organic matter
  • In marine aquariums: macro-live rock fauna (sponges, tube worms, microcrustaceans) is essential for stability

Allelopathy

Some plants release chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants (allelopathy):

  • Vallisneria can inhibit growth in its immediate surroundings
  • The tannins in the wood affect the pH and some plants

Biofilm

A film of bacteria, algae, and polysaccharides that forms on surfaces. In aquariums, it is:

  • Essential food for shrimp (they graze constantly)
  • Normal and healthy — don't eliminate it completely
  • Base of the benthic food web