If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine by clicking this LINK.

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine by clicking this LINK.

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine by clicking this LINK.

Original Author: Takashi Amano

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine by clicking this LINK.

Original Author: Takashi Amano

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine by clicking this LINK.

Aquatic Plants: Riccardia chamedryfolia, Vesicularia sp., Taxiphyllum barbieri, Fissidens fontanus, Pellia endiviifolia, Micranthemum umbrosum, Echinodorus quadricostatus, Sagittaria subulata, Glossostigma elatinoides, Eleocharis vivipara, Eleocharis sp., Microsorum pteropus “Windelov,” Microsorum pteropus, Microsorium pteropus var., Anubias barteri var. “nana petite,” Anubias barteri var. “nana,” Bolbitis heudelotii,Vallisneria nana, Cryptocoryne beckettii, Cryptocoryne bullosa, Staurogyne sp. “Rio Cristalino,” Riccia fluitans

Fish & Invertebrates: Paracheirodon axelrodi, Carinotetraodon travancoricus, Crossocheilus reticulatus, Crossocheilus oblongus (siamensis), Ancistrus sp., Sturisoma panamense

Evaluation: Mr. Chen from Taiwan created a natural-looking layout by using both driftwood and stones. The arrangement of shade plants such as ferns and mosses also contributed to make a good ambience of jungle. However, the base composition is not so clear, especially the right side seems roughly arranged. The open space on the right end is a big disadvantage, as the joint part of the back corner appears clearly. The composition would have become clearer if this space was filled by layout materials or aquatic plants.

Original Author: Takashi Amano

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine by clicking this LINK.

Aquatic Plants: Cryptocoryne wendtii, Cryptocoryne beckettii, Cryptocoryne lutea, Vesicularia dubyana, Anubias barteri var., Vallisneria nana, Hemianthus micranthemoides, Echinodorus tenellus, Microsorum pteropus

Fish & Invertebrates: Tanichthys albonubes, Macrotocinclus (Otocinclus) affinis, Caridina japonica, Neocaridina denticulata

Evaluation: A typical concave composition layout from Ukraine was selected for the bronze prize. Composition of the layout materials and balance of the whole layout were highly evaluated. When watched carefully, we can also see some problems in the layout. The Anubias on the right side is too big, and looks unnatural. The arrangement of Cryptocoryne in the midground and Vallisneria in the back look nice, but they grew too thick. The cosmetic sand in the middle looks dirty. The creator’s ability to maintain the layout for a long period was evaluated, but its technique caused degradation.

Original Author: Takashi Amano

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine by clicking this LINK.

Evaluation: This is a unique layout produced with characteristically shaped stones tied with ferns and mosses. The left and right balance is good, and the whole composition is organized well. But the white cosmetic sand seems unnaturally white. In order to enhance the natural look of stones, the cosmetic sand close to the natural color should have been used, or the foreground filled with aquatic plants.

Original Author: Takashi Amano

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine by clicking this LINK.

Evaluation: The layout is composed with natural-looking, complex-shape stones. The composition is excellent, and it gives us an impression of seeing a magnificent scenic place. However, using too many colors of aquatic plans was disadvantageous. The bright red color stemmed plants especially do not match these stones. Mosses and Anubias were planted between the stones. This layout could have been better if planted only with green color plants.

Original Author: Takashi Amano

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine by clicking this LINK.

Evaluation: The distinctive texture of stones and nicely trimmed stemmed plants are perfectly matching. The use of cosmetic sand in the foreground also improves the natural look. It is very regrettable that the thicket of stemmed plants in the background was not filled completely to the right end. The layout could be more natural if they were taller and had more inclination at both sides so that they cover the joint part of the aquarium.

Original Author: Takashi Amano

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine by clicking this LINK.

Evaluation: The creator expressed a natural feeling well with stones, driftwood, cosmetic sand, and mosses. The way stemmed plants in the background grow also looks natural. The overall impression and natural look is very positive, but the arrangement of driftwood and its angles did not make a good impression. The layout could be different if driftwood angles were a bit lower, as they seem too wide.

Original Author: Takashi Amano

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine by clicking this LINK.

Evaluation: The layout was composed by meticulously arranging perforated rocks. It gives us an impression the creator took time for planting between the rocks, and composing the whole layout well. It is very regrettable the black joint part of the back corner appeared very clearly, which limits the spatial width. It is an interesting layout, but this point became the subject of point loss.

Original Author: Takashi Amano

If you are interested to read more, you may subscribe for the digital version of Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine by clicking this LINK.