What is a Paludarium?

If you've been to a pet shop recently, you've no doubt seen a paludarium. Visitors to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago have seen paludariums on a large scale. Scratching your head and wondering what they are? The term paludarium comes from the latin words paludal (pertaining to marshes), and arium (a place of or connected to). In other words, a paludarium is an aquarium that is set up with land and water portions, just as a real marsh would be in nature. They provide an interesting alternative to the fully aquatic life that is seen in standard aquariums. Paludariums are also an excellent project for classrooms.

Paludarium Habitats
Paludariums may represent a variety of habitats, from bogs to riverbanks to rainforests. Everything from a waterfall to the rapidly flowing water of a river can be replicated if one wishes to put some effort into it. The popular river and riffle tanks are both forms of paludariums that replicate habitats with constantly flowing waters. The possibilities are endless. Personally I believe a good approach for fish lovers is to choose the type of fish you want, and then build a paludarium that matches the natural habitat for the fish.

Paludarium Inhabitants
The inhabitants of each paludarium will vary based on the habitat that is being created. Thriving paludariums contain a variety of living creatures, each of which contributes to the ecosystem. Creatures that may inhabit a freshwater paludarium include: eels, frogs, lizards, newts, salamanders, snails, snakes, toads, and turtles. Keep in mind that some of these critters will eat the others, so do your research before putting them together.

Paludarium Plant Life
Plants are a key part of every paludarium. Because the paludarium has an abundance of the basics plants need, a wide range of plant life will thrive in them. The key is researching the habitat that is being replicated, and choosing plants that match. For instance, Amazon Sword plants would not be found in a West African habitat, but would be perfect for a South American rainforest display.

Let's Build One!
Paludariums are a fun alternative to the traditional aquarium. Let's build one together. We'll start by choosing the fish. You can vote for your fish of choice (if you dont' like any of my choices, email other suggestions to me).

Additional Information About Paludariums

Amy & Phillip's Amazing Aquaria - Amy and Phillip Pittman share their Paludrium experiences complete with a list of their fish, critters, and plants, as well as photos of their paludariums. Aquatic Plants for the Paludarium - A commerical site with a brief description of what a paludarium is, and a list of suitable plants that may be ordered. Geckos' Paludarium - A paludarium owner describes how he set up his tank, including specifics of equipment, plants, and inhabitants. Newtworld - A newt lover describes his 55 gallon paludarium setup Setting Up a Riffle Tank - An excellent article describing how to set up a tank to simulate a stream current. The River Tank(tm): A Versatile Tool for Teaching Science - A detailed site that describes how to set up a River tank, how the ecosystem supports itself, and lists suggested reading. Great for teaching biology and chemistry classes. Terrarium/Bog Plants - A commercial resource for plants that are suited to paludariums. Tom Fredericks Paludarium - Tom Fredericks describes how he set up his paludarium, and includes several photos.