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August, 2nd, 2007: I spent the night in Bom Jesus da Lapa in a hotel (not in a typical Brazilian Pousada, whatsoever is the difference) called Hotel Robertha for 30 R$ a night including breakfast (cafe d’amanha). The decoration and endowment was less than so-so. Bom Jesus da Lapa is a place of pilgrimage; there is a shrine of a devine Madonna placed anywhere in the mountain assemblage. Thus there are plenty of accomodations in this village. Beginning of August must be a somewhat very sacred period to the mainly catholic Bahianos, since the streets in Bom Jesus da Lapa were enormously crowded. The picture below shows Bom Jesus da Lapa located on the river’s right bank in the late afternoon dusk.
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I decided not to go directly to Guanambi, but to head southern at the left bank of the Rio towards Carinhanha crossing the Rio there with a ferry ( I took the ferry twice during my last trip), then moving eastern towards Guanambi.
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In August the dry season reaches it’s peak. Along the banks of the Rio São Francisco the vegetation looks sere, like burned down. This is a section on the Road BA161 from Bom Jesus da Lapa to Serrado Ramalho heading southern.
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In the dry season the pools are full of fish. This is the result of just one draught through the first pool. A hand full of fish. Unfortunately also the invading, non native Oreochromis which outcompete sensitive stenoecious species.
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E-BR 18-07
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Location
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On the road BA161 from Bom Jesus da Lapa towards Carinhanha, on the left bank of the Rio Sao Francisco.
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1 km before the ashalt road ends, 19.3 km after the crossing to Agrovila #17, rest water pond, heading southern located on the right side.
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State of Bahia
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GPS coordinates
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Date
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2007-8-3
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Time
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8:30
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Biotope
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Rest water ponds, 10x10x0.5m, bottom sandy, no submerse vegetation, no shadow, non transparent white water.
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Parameters
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Temperature
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ºC
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pH
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pH
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Conductivity
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µS/cm
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Hardness General
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ºGH
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Hardness Carbonate
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ºKH
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Nitrite
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mg/l
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Species
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Astyanax bimaculatus
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Hoplosternum littorale (Hancock, 1828)
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Curimatidae sp. I
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Oreochromis niloticus (Linne, 1758)
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I am unable to guess the correct identity of this Curimatidae species. It is silvery pale and possesses elongated filaments in dorsal, anal and caudal fins. It probably belongs to the genus Curimata. If anybody can help to ID this fish, please let me know.
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E-BR 19-07
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Location
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On the road BA161 from Bom Jesus da Lapa towards Carinhanha, on the left bank of the Rio Sao Francisco.
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3.4 km after the crossing BA841 (to Serra do Ramalho), cattle water tank, heading southern on the right side.
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State of Bahia
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GPS coordinates
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Date
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2007-8-3
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Time
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9:30
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Biotope
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30x15x1m, bottom sandy, no submerse vegetation, no shadow.
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Parameters
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Temperature
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ºC
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pH
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pH
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Conductivity
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µS/cm
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Hardness General
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ºGH
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Hardness Carbonate
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ºKH
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Nitrite
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mg/l
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Species
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Astyanax bimaculatus
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Hoplosternum littorale (Hancock, 1828)
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Moenkhausia costae (Steindachner, 1907)
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This cute and sympathetic appearance is Hoplosternum littorale from E-BR 19-01. It is abundant in the middle stream section of the Rio São Francisco.
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Carinhanha has a ferry to cross the Rio São Francisco. Although all maps show a connection to Manga in the south, there is no road. I asked villagers and finally the military.
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E-BR 20-07
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Location
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On the road BR030 from Malhada towards Guanambi, on the right bank of the Rio Sao Francisco.
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Heading eastern located on the left side. Ca. 8 km after Malhada.
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State of Bahia
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GPS coordinates
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Date
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2007-8-3
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Time
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14:30
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Biotope
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30x20x2m, white water, sandy bottom, the banks are rather steep, no visible submerse vegetation, no shadow, rather specious habitat.
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Parameters
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Temperature
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29.4
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ºC
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pH
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7.7
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pH
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Conductivity
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282
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µS/cm
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Hardness General
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ºGH
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Hardness Carbonate
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ºKH
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Nitrite
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mg/l
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Species
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Pimelodus maculatus Lacepède, 1803
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Acestrorhynchus lacustris (Lütken, 1875)
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Corydoras garbei Ihering, 1911
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Brachychalcinus orbicularis (Valenciennes, 1850)
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Curimatidae sp. II
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Heptapteridae sp.
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Moenkhausia costae (Steindachner, 1907)
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The E-BR 20-07 form of Brachychalcinus orbicularis possesses beautifully elongated unpaired fins. Remarkable is the rather long upper caudal lobe (significantly longer than the lower lobe) with a marginal black zone.
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Curimatidae sp. II is a silverly beauty. The first rays in the pelvic and the anal fin possess whitish coloration.
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The same problem like Curimatidae sp. I from E-BR 18-07; I am unable to guess the exact ID of the fish. It is likely a Curimata, but which species?
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The left picture shows a female, the right a male of Corydoras garbei which is native to the Rio São Francisco basin. It can be confused with C. flaveolus and the frequently kept C. paleatus. It differs from these two species in having a conspicuous big greenish brown blotch behind the operculum. The blotch can be easily spotted on the right side at the male. As far as I know it is not available in the European aquarium hobby.
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The predatory catfish of the family Pimelodidae Pimelodus maculatus is native to the Rio São Francisco basin.
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This tiny catfish belongs to the family Heptapteridae. I only caught one specimen.
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A further native species to the Rio São Francisco basin is Acestrorhynchus lacustris. It preys upon the abundant characins. It’s acuminate teeth is an excellent adaptation to catch prey. The caught specimen had long bite marks over the flanks - on both sides.
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E-BR 21-07
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Location
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Guanambi, aside the major road, direction of the airport located on the left side.
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State of Bahia
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GPS coordinates
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Date
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2007-8-3
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Time
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16:30
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Biotope
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40x20x1m.
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Dense vegetation, flowing water plants and sea roses.
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Parameters
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Temperature
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ºC
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pH
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pH
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Conductivity
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µS/cm
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Hardness General
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ºGH
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Hardness Carbonate
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ºKH
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Nitrite
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mg/l
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Species
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Astyanax bimaculatus
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Oreochromis niloticus (Linne, 1758)
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E-BR 22-07
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Location
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12 km after Guanambi towards Pilões, on the right side.
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State of Bahia
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GPS coordinates
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Date
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2007-8-3
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Time
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17:30
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Biotope
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50x25x1m, gravel bottom, submerse vegetation, transparent clean water
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Parameters
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Temperature
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ºC
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pH
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pH
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Conductivity
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µS/cm
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Hardness General
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ºGH
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Hardness Carbonate
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ºKH
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Nitrite
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mg/l
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Species
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Hoplias malabaricus
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Monte Azul is a small town on the high plateau in the state of Minas Gerais located between Espinoza and Mato Verde on the BR122. After two fishing spots in Guanambi area I headed west back to the Rio passing Janauba, Verdelandia, Jaiba and Matias Cardoso. I crossed the river by a ferry to Manga and headed southern towards the Terra typica of Simpsonichthys hellneri. I wanted to see how it is doing in August - during the draught.
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E-BR 23-07
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Location
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Between São João das Missões and Itacarambi. 14.9 km after São João das Missões (direction sign) heading southern on the left side.
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TT of Simpsonichthys hellneri.
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State of Minas Gerais
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GPS coordinates
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Date
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2007-8-4
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Time
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Biotope
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Habitat completely dried out.
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Parameters
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Temperature
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ºC
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pH
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pH
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Conductivity
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µS/cm
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Hardness General
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ºGH
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Hardness Carbonate
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ºKH
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Nitrite
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mg/l
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Species
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Remarks
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This biotope is identical with E-BR 11-07
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This is the terra typica of Simpsonichthys hellneri during the draught. The pond is completely dried out. The soil is hard and dry. Not even a rest of moisture is perceivable.
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E-BR 24-07
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Location
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On the road Itacarambi - Januaria. 1 km after Itacarambi located on the left side.
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State of Minas Gerais
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GPS coordinates
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Date
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2007-8-4
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Time
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Biotope
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20x15x1m, sandy bottom, white water
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Parameters
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Temperature
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ºC
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pH
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pH
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Conductivity
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µS/cm
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Hardness General
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ºGH
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Hardness Carbonate
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ºKH
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Nitrite
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mg/l
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Species
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Astyanax bimaculatus
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Hemigrammus marginatus
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Remarks
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While fishing I discovered plenty of cattle sculbs and lower jaws scattered in the water. I aborted fishing for hygiene reasons.
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E-BR 25-07
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Location
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Road Bentopolis de Minas - Ponto Chique. Around 25 km after Bentopolis de Minas.
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Small stream passing the road from left to right.
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State of Minas Gerais
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GPS coordinates
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Date
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2007-8-5
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Time
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14:00
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Biotope
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A small stream contributes to the Rio Sao Francisco.
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5 m broad in average, 20 cm deep in average. Sandy bottom, partially covered with leaves. Current slow - moderate.
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Parameters
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Temperature
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25.5
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ºC
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pH
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7.8
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pH
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Conductivity
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468
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µS/cm
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Hardness General
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ºGH
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Hardness Carbonate
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ºKH
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Nitrite
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mg/l
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Species
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Astyanax bimaculatus
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Astyanax rivularis
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Corydoras garbei Ihering, 1911
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Leporinus octomaculatus Britski & Garavello, 1993
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Characidae sp. I
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This biotope is coded E-BR 25-07. It is a very beautiful spot far away from civilisation. It s a typical Corydoras habitat with sandy bottom and slow to moderate current running through a shady streambed.
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The yield of the first draughts through the clean water; Ubiquituous Astyanax and Corydoras. The Corydoras turned out to be the same species as in E-BR 20-07: C. garbei.
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Leporinus octomaculatus was very rare. This specimen shows juvenile coloration.
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I am unable to guess this characins’ ID: Characidae sp. I E-BR 25-07. If anybody knows this species, please let me know.
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In August during the dry season only a couple of plants are thriving. This tree was blossoming by exeption.
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E-BR 26-07
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Location
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Road Ponto Chique - Ibiai. Around 30 km after Ponto Chique, 6 km before Ibiai.
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Stream passing the road from left to right. River should be a tributary to the Rio Cana Brava.
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State of Minas Gerais
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GPS coordinates
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Date
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2007-8-5
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Time
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15:30
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Biotope
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Sand-pebble-flat stone plates on the bottom, moderate current, 10 m broad, in average 20 cm deep.
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Parameters
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Temperature
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22.4
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ºC
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pH
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7.8
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pH
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Conductivity
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274
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µS/cm
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Hardness General
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ºGH
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Hardness Carbonate
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ºKH
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Nitrite
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mg/l
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Species
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Astyanax bimaculatus (see E-BR 25-07)
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Characidium sp. I
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Characidae sp. I
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Remarks
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Approaching the stream two small black monkeys were climbing/jumping high in the trees' branches.
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I title this species as Characidium sp., since I am unable to determine it doubtlessly. It could be C. fasciatum, which is described from nearby Rio das Velhas or more probably C. zebra. It lives syntop with the unknown Characidae sp. I from the previous biotope.
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E-BR 27-07
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Location
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Gravel road Varzea da Palma - Tres Marias (not BR496). The road commences directly after Varzea da Palma to right side
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heading towards the Rio Sao Francisco. The biotope is located 18 km after the crossing. The river crosses the road from the left to right.
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State of Minas Gerais
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GPS coordinates
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Date
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2007-8-6
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Time
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9:00
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Biotope
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Rest river with very slow to no current. The bottom is entirely covered by huge flat and smooth stone plates. In between there are sand allocations.
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15 m broad, max 80 cm deep. The stone plates and the sand are covered by thick green-brownish algae polsters.
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Parameters
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Temperature
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22.8
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ºC
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pH
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8.5
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pH
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Conductivity
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94
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µS/cm
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Hardness General
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ºGH
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Hardness Carbonate
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ºKH
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Nitrite
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< 0.3
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mg/l
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Species
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Astyanax bimaculatus
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Characidium sp. I
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Hoplias malabaricus
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Camouflage is the most important factor as the livelihood of predatory Hoplias malabaricus.
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E-BR 28-07
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Location
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Corrego Salobro passing BR496 from right to left at 23.2 km after Varzea da Palma.
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