US Rivers
Diverse river systems from slow, plant-rich waters to fast-flowing rocky streams; varied substrates and submerged vegetation.
Natural Habitat & Origin
Winding through the vast American heartland, from the mighty Mississippi to the clear mountain brooks of the Rockies, US Rivers are the pulsing lifeblood of the continent. This is a biome of incredible variety, where the water can be as opaque as coffee in the silty lowlands or as clear as glass in the gravel-laden highlands. It is a landscape defined by the relentless flow of water, carving out deep pools and shallow riffles through canyon and prairie alike.
Beneath the surface of a US River biotope, life is a testament to resilience and abundance. Lush meadows of Vallisneria and the vibrant red stems of Ludwigia sway in the nutrient-rich currents, providing a complex, three-dimensional world for a diverse community of inhabitants. The substrate is a shifting mosaic of fine golden sand, smooth river-worn stones, and ancient, weathered driftwood. It is a world of constant motion, shaped by the spring snowmelt and the steady rhythm of the seasons, reflecting the immense and varied beauty of the American outdoors.
Plants
Nourished by the rich alluvial soils of the American heartland, these species are masters of life in the clear, flowing waters of the continent's great river systems.
Hardscape
Smooth-river stones, golden canyon sands, and weathered cedar driftwood perfectly capture the energetic, life-giving flow of US riverbanks.
Fish & Invertebrates
The bold Sunfish and powerful Bass of US Rivers are iconic masters of these diverse, buoyant, and often oxygen-rich freshwater environments.