Glossary

blackwater

In ichthyological and aquarium literature typically refers to water rich in humic acids and poor in nutrients such as that associated with ancient peat swamps or parts of the Amazon river drainage, and thus differs from clearwater and whitewater.

Fish species inhabiting such environments typically require similar conditions in captivity, especially if wild caught.

Typical blackwater stream with stained water © Zhou Hang

Used in 171 species profiles

Related terms

acid
A substance that can donate protons or accept pairs of electrons. The chemical opposite of a base. Acids have a pH of less than 7.
beech leaf
Leaf of the deciduous tree genus Fagus. Dried and used in aquaria to simulate certain natural conditions, especially those typical of blackwater habitats.
clearwater
In ichthyological and aquarium literature typically refers to habitats containing transparent water with no material in suspension or staining by organic material, thus differing from whitewater or blackwater environments.
igapó
Type of seasonally-inundated floodplain forest in the Amazon region. The term is normally used for those forests flooded by blackwater rivers.
Indian almond leaf
Vernacular name for leaves of the leadwood tropical tree species Terminalia catappa which are commonly sold dried for use in aquaria because the organic compounds contained within them are considered beneficial for certain fish species. In particular they may aid in simulation of blackwater conditions and inhibit the growth of some undesirable microorganisms, as well as proving an effective addition to a natural-looking display. Also known as Ketapang leaf, presumably in reference to the city of that name in West Kalimantan province, Indonesian Borneo.
oak leaf
Leaf of the tree and shrub genus Quercus. Dried and used in aquaria to simulate certain natural conditions, especially those typical of blackwater habitats.
peat
A compressed accumulation of partially-decomposed, chiefly vegetable matter typically found in certain marshes, bogs, and peat swamp forests throughout the world. It forms via breakdown of various plants and other organic materials in water when full decomposition is prevented due to localised acidic, anaerobic conditions. As a result of this somewhat specific nature the organisms inhabiting peaty environments are often stenotypic and found nowhere else. Peat can be used as a fuel when dried and thus has industrial importance in some countries. Also used in aquaria, especially in order to simulate blackwater habitats, either in pure, artificially-granulated or liquid extract form.
peat swamp forest
Type of tropical moist forest lying over a thick bed of acidic peat, over 60% of which occur in Indonesia and Malaysia. Typically contain water with very low pH (<4.0) that is stained brown due to the release of various organic compounds from the decaying peat and thus often referred to as blackwater swamps. Usually contain some permanent water but also flood seasonally. Highly biodiverse when in pristine condition, with many species found nowhere else on earth, though increasingly subjected to intensive drainage, burning and subsequent conversion to agriculture in recent decades.
swamp
Low-lying, uncultivated wetland dominated by woody vegetation.
várzea
Type of seasonally-inundated floodplain forest in the Amazon region. The term is normally used for those forests flooded by whitewater rivers but is sometimes used to refer to blackwater environments for which the more traditional term is igapó.
whitewater
In ichthyological and aquarium literature typically refers to habitats with turbid water containing material in suspension and often rich in nutrients and dissolved ions, thus differing from clearwater or blackwater environments. Not to be confused with the term 'white water' which refers to turbulent water typically formed in rapids.

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