Amazon Basin
Vast tropical rainforest river system with tannin-stained waters, seasonal floods, and dense submerged and floating vegetation.
Natural Habitat & Origin
Deep within the emerald heart of South America, the Amazon Basin pulses with life, governed by the rhythmic rise and fall of seasonal floods. Here, the water is a living tapestry, range from crystal-clear mountain streams to the profound, tea-colored depths of tannin-stained forests. Submerged beneath the canopy, the world is one of soft, filtered light and intricate shadows, where gnarled roots and fallen branches create a complex labyrinth for aquatic life.
The floor of this underwater world is blanketed in fine, silicate sands and a rich layer of decaying leaf litter, releasing the organic compounds that give the water its characteristic amber glow. As the rains come, the rivers breach their banks, transforming the forest floor into a vast, flooded nursery. In these Igapó and Várzea forests, life thrives in the nutrient-rich, acidic waters, protected by the dense, intertwined stalks of aquatic flora that reach for the sun-dappled surface.
Plants
In the dimly lit flooded forests of the Amazon, these species have adapted to low light and soft, acidic conditions, forming lush underwater jungles.
Hardscape
Ancient bogwood, gnarled driftwood, and layers of tropical leaf litter recreate the complex, tannin-rich structure of the Amazonian riverbed.
Fish & Invertebrates
The vibrant tetras and majestic cichlids of the Amazon find sanctuary among the dense roots and shaded reaches of their native blackwater habitats.