The Asian aquarium
By Aram Schneider Published Updated
Translated from German with AI assistance and reviewed by our editors.
An Asian aquarium features aquatic plants, ornamental fish and invertebrates that are native to the Asian continent. Above all, labyrinth fish, barbs and danios are among the most popular aquarium fish that originate in Asian regions such as Thailand, Borneo, Sumatra, Cambodia or India. The diversity of species, and with it the range of colors and shapes, is very large. The popular dwarf shrimp also originally come from Asian countries. If imitating natural conditions is a strong priority, one can speak of an Asian biotope aquarium. Water parameters, equipment, and the setup and decoration of the aquarium are strictly adapted to the needs of the aquarium inhabitants. In this article, we explain which conditions have to be met to set up and maintain an Asian aquarium.
Water parameters in an Asian aquarium
The Asian continent is very large, so depending on the collection site or biotope there are very specific requirements for the water parameters. Broadly generalized, however, it can certainly be said that the water for an Asian aquarium should be rather soft to medium hard. This means a rather low carbonate and general hardness and a pH value in the acidic to slightly acidic range (below 7). Compared with the typical South American aquarium, an Asian aquarium sometimes will not need such a high temperature, but this depends heavily on the particular livestock. Often, however, temperatures of about 20 to 25 °C are sufficient for Asian fish species.
Our hard tap water is not always suitable for Asian aquarium inhabitants. To obtain good soft-water parameters, the aquarist has a variety of options, which we have explained in more detail in this article. Above all, lowering the pH value is a priority here, which can be achieved, for example, by introducing CO2. This also supplies the aquatic plants with the carbon they need, which boosts their growth and vitality.
Asian ornamental fish do not always come from clearwater biotopes; because of blackwater they are also used to humic substances being present in the water. The aquarist can recreate these conditions very well by using suitable products and thus offer enough humic substances. Filtering through peat is also a popular way both to lower the pH value and to add humic substances.
Aquatic plants in an Asian aquarium
Asian aquatic plants are already very well represented in aquaristics, so the aquarist can draw on a large selection of different plants here. Typical aquarium plants from Asia include the popular cryptocorynes. These are quite easy plants to keep, undemanding, but as heavy root feeders they benefit greatly from a nutrient-rich substrate. Bucephalandra also come from Asia and have caused a real hype, especially in recent years. They are fairly undemanding epiphytes that grow very slowly. Leaf sizes, colors and shapes are very varied. Most mosses for the aquarium also come from Asian countries. Aquarium mosses are also very popular in aquascaping and shrimp keeping and are very easy aquatic plants to keep. Even the classic among ferns, the Java fern, comes from Asia and is an undemanding epiphyte that can be attached to stones or driftwood. Numerous colorful stem plants are also native to Asian countries. These include in particular Rotala species, such as the popular Rotala rotundifolia, but also genera such as Hygrophila, Limnophila and Pogostemon.
Aquatic plants are not just to be seen as pure decoration, though; they also take on useful biological tasks. Especially for juveniles or fish that need places to retreat to, aquarium plants create a suitable structure in the aquarium. They also metabolize nutrients in the water, compete with algae and produce oxygen. They are therefore an enrichment for any Asian aquarium in every case.
The substrate in an Asian aquarium
If soft and slightly acidic water parameters are wanted, active soil substrate is a good choice for an Asian aquarium, since it helps to reach and maintain the right soft-water values. Because of its dark color, it is especially suitable for fish species that do not like a light substrate. Because of its rather soft consistency and its round particles, this substrate is not sharp-edged and is therefore also an optimal substrate for bottom-digging animals. Especially in shrimp breeding, soil substrate is always the first choice for soft-water animals such as bee shrimp or tiger shrimp. Nutrient-rich soil can also be used in Asian aquariums that have heavier planting.
For Asian biotopes that want to represent more of a stream or river section, suitable types of sand and gravel are recommended. Here you should take care when choosing the substrate not to pick one that hardens the water. Asian loaches, hillstream loaches and gobies in particular enjoy a natural-looking setting with fine gravel or sand as the aquarium substrate.
Decorative elements in an Asian aquarium
In addition to aquatic plants, an Asian aquarium should also be furnished with natural elements such as driftwood or stones. These offer good hiding and retreat spots for weaker animals, serve as spawning sites and provide the necessary structure in the aquarium. If soft and acidic water parameters are wanted, the aquarist should take care to choose types of rock that are as water-neutral as possible. If a slight brown tint and enrichment with humic substances similar to the original habitat is wanted, driftwood can achieve the desired effect through the tannins it releases. Wood types with a high density are especially well suited for this.
In a more stream-like biotope in the aquarium, rather round and flat stones (such as pebbles) are particularly suitable to match a gravel or sand substrate.
Fish in an Asian aquarium
Copyright: Chris Lukhaup.
Because of the enormous size of the continent and the species diversity that goes with it, ornamental fish from Asia exist in abundance. Particularly popular are the many barb and danio species, which are also often used in community aquariums because of their hardiness, for example. Fish such as the leopard danio or the Sumatra barb are true classics of aquaristics and have been kept successfully for decades. They are lively and robust schooling fish that need enough open swimming space, but also enough hiding places. Danios in particular stand out in part through great schooling behavior and are therefore also welcome inhabitants of a planted aquarium. Genera that stay especially small, such as Rasbora, Boraras or Sundadanio, have also become more and more popular in combination with nano aquaristics. You can find more information on this topic here.
Copyright: Chris Lukhaup.
The dwarf shrimp segment in particular, with genera such as Caridina and Neocaridina, also offers invertebrates that come mainly from Asia, more precisely from China and Japan. Likewise in line with nano aquaristics, these busy, colorful crawlers have become a fixture in aquariums. Dwarf shrimp often only grow to 2 to 3 cm and are sociable and peaceful aquarium animals that are very interesting to watch. They are constantly looking for food and tirelessly graze on plants, hardscape and substrate. If the conditions are right, breeding or reproduction is quite easy and soon happens by itself. The robust Neocaridina species in particular are very well suited to being kept with peaceful fish for a harmonious Asian aquarium. Do you want to learn more about dwarf shrimp? The Aquascaping Wiki has its own category for invertebrates here.
Loaches, hillstream loaches and gobies are particularly suitable for so-called Asian stream biotopes or for the bottom zone of an aquarium. Many of these species come from rather cooler waters and need very clear, oxygen-rich water. A strong current near the bottom increases the animals' well-being and comes very close to their natural habitat. Most of these species are also very sociable schooling fish, so you should offer them an aquarium that is large enough with enough floor space.
Copyright: Chris Lukhaup.
The majority of labyrinth fish are also native to Asia, including the popular thread-fin gouramis, but also other gouramis and the popular bettas (fighting fish). Betta species in particular, however, are quite special to keep and should mainly be kept in a species tank. In this article you can learn even more about keeping bettas.
Labyrinth fish prefer to stay in the upper to middle area of the aquarium and are therefore suitable stocking for the upper water zone. They are rather calm and peaceful animals that show very interesting breeding behavior by building so-called bubble nests at the water surface.
Copyright header photo: Chris Lukhaup