While I was living in KL, I managed to culture a communal semi-aquatic vivarium for 3 species of Homalopsines or Asian Water Snakes. Not wanting to pretend that I'm an expert om these of any sort, I must disclaim that the information here is largely based on my own personal experience.
What appears to be a laboriously planted semi-aquatic vivarium is nothing of the sort
though the journey to achieve this was no less laborious.
No plant-matter was actually planted onto the wood by hand at all.
I'll try my best to explain how this was achieved but I cannot guarantee that this is replicable. This was truly a result of trial by fire and consequential error.
Basics Stats:
3ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft Aquarium with Custom Carpentered Lid
Semi-Aquatic setup; Fine Gravel+Aquarium Sand Substrate
Broken Ceramic Pots and Assorted Driftwood pieces assembled to extend 'dry' surface area;
Submerged Internal Filter with overhanging outlet to drip or fountain head
Extensive History of Attempts to Incorporate Live Aquatic Plants; Live Plant Catered Aquarium Lighting; Initially regular and Arduous water changes on a weekly to a monthly basis.
Two (originally 3) co-habitable Asian Water Snake species from the Homalopsinae sub-family of colubrids (back-fanged; mildly venomous; non-toxic to humans without hypo-allergic sensitivities)
Enhydris plumbea (Yellow-Bellied/Olive Water Snake) 2 surviving specimens from a total of 4
Homalopsis bucatta (Masked/Puff-Faced Water Snake) 1 surviving specimen from a total of 3
Enhydris enhydris (Rainbow Water Snake) previously included; no surviving specimens of 5
At one point a total of 9 snakes (3 of each species) marked the stretched accommodated limit of this size enclosure (not intentional or ideal but I had snakes just dropping in from friends and herping trips)
Various Feeder fish varieties were replenished as stocks were effectively eaten.
Glass/Ghost Shrimp were spored to breakdown detritus for plant-life absorption; Live Bacterial Culture added on various occasions
Severe re-occurring White-Spot Fungus parasite contracted from wild-caught non-quarantined snakes and/or infected feeder fish has been effectively subdued into remission via extensive and pervasive chemical treatment over an extended period of time; hence the ocean blue hue to the water in some pics (I know how some may feel about chemicals but I had no alternatives available to me).
Occasionally I noticed that green moss would take root on this particular driftwood whenever the drizzle made frequent contact with it to which I adhered no pretentious expectations. Overtime, through my peripheral labors I noticed that this sprouted through no will of my own
I was actually wondering how long it will prevail and it eventually withered out but in its place, this miraculously grew
I pressed some wads of forest moss by the driftwood against the glass in hopes that it will provide more ample basking spots for the snakes.
Uncannily, the decaying matter which I initially feared would foul the water actually provided nutrients for healthy vegetation.
Additionally, at some point, I had discarded the fountain head for a more direct trickle flow which touched the initial moss-prone driftwood.
Ultimately, a re-utilized light from another defunct planted tank sparked the sudden mass explosion of life. Since this, no major water change is apparently necessary. I only need to add fresh water that has been loss through evaporation
My 'methods' or rather unintentional courses of action have not come without steep price; and some may perceive my resolves amateurish.
Many of the snakes I loss to the disease were individuals I could pick out from a mixed bag, each one I grew unerringly fond of, and despaired at their passing; despite the fact on one occasion, one of them clamped down on my fish-smelling index finger without relent.
I had to gently pry the jaws open, and extract a half-inch long fang out from my flesh. I don't recall toxic effects from the bite; which left me with no loss of adoration for them.
I guess what urged me to persevere in spite of the numerous complications I endured in the keeping of this tank; is nothing more than a picture in my head that I dreamed up as a young boy.
To be in awe of their grace as they glide effortlessly through the water, like mythical dragons of the deep.
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The only source that provided sufficient guidance and help was www.acrochordus.com or alternatively www.homalopsinae.com. My time with these snakes has been nothing short of dream come true, and then some...
From this experience, I gained along with many other things, certainty that whatever it is you envisioned in life, no matter how trivial, seemingly unimportant, or perversely absurd as the tantalizing sight of slithering waters is without a doubt... nothing short of achievable.
Among the snakes that have persisted through it all to the very end, was the very first water snake I ever acquired as a neonate; a little Enhydris plumbea named Lucifer. All things of beauty that have come to pass like us will never last. But, I consider myself fortunate to have had them, while they were here.
I hope you found this an interesting or entertaining read.
Cheers and best regards
AA
Fri 10 Dec - 4:42
