The Floridian Sunburst

JungleBeginner

The Floridian Sunburst

"Bring the golden hour of the Florida Everglades into your living room! This tank features the high-energy Flagfish, known for their American-flag-like patterns, alongside the shimmering Least Killifish. It is a low-maintenance, high-impact slice of North American paradise that celebrates the warm, sun-soaked biodiversity of the South."

Minimum Tank Size

60P (23.6x11.8x14.2 inches)

Volume

17 gal

Water Parameters

68°F-78°F

7-7.2 pH

Substrate

Organic Active Soil (capping with fine gravel)Fine tan sand for foreground paths

Hardscape Components

Manzanita Wood BranchesArching from back-left toward front-right to mimic submerged roots

Fauna Inventory

Jordanella floridae (Flagfish)

Killifish

Middle Water Column

Heterandria formosa (Least Killifish)

Livebearer

10x

Upper to Middle Water Column

Flora Inventory

Bacopa caroliniana

Stem Plant

6 pots

Midground to Background

Mayaca fluviatilis

Stem Plant

4 bunches

Background

Sagittaria subulata

Carpeting Plant

15 nodes

Foreground

The Floridian Sunburst

Jungle Aquascape Plan

aquascaping.ai

January 15, 2026

Tank60P (23.6x11.8x14.2 inches) (17 gal)

Parameters68-78°F • pH 7-7.2

DifficultyBeginner

Fauna

4x Jordanella floridae (Flagfish)
10x Heterandria formosa (Least Killifish)

Flora

6 pots Bacopa caroliniana
4 bunches Mayaca fluviatilis
15 nodes Sagittaria subulata

Shopping List

Tank & Supplies

Item	Qty	Est. Cost
60P Rimless Glass Aquarium- Standard 23.6x11.8x14.2 inch dimensions.	1 unit	$120.00 - $160.00
Fluval Plant Nano LED- Programmable via app to mimic Florida sunrise/sunset.	1 unit	$100.00 - $115.00
Internal Power Filter- Choose a model with adjustable flow to keep it gentle for the Killifish.	1 unit	$25.00 - $40.00
Submersible Heater (50W)- Set to 75F to support both Flagfish and Least Killifish.	1 unit	$20.00 - $35.00
Organic Active Soil- Nutrient-rich base layer for heavy root feeders.	9L Bag	$35.00 - $45.00
Fine Tan Sand- For cosmetic paths between the grassy thickets.	2kg	$10.00 - $15.00
Root Tabs- Specific fertilization for the Sagittaria carpet.	1 pack	$10.00 - $15.00

Hardscape

	Item	Qty	Est. Cost
	Manzanita Wood Branches- Look for thin, spindly pieces to mimic submerged cypress roots.	3-5 pieces	$40.00 - $70.00

Flora

Item	Qty	Est. Cost
Bacopa caroliniana- Native to SE USA; provides bronze highlights under strong light.	6 pots	$40.00 - $55.00
Mayaca fluviatilis- Requires iron dosing to prevent yellowing of the needle-like leaves.	4 bunches	$20.00 - $30.00
Sagittaria subulata- Hardy carpeting plant that handles a wide range of water parameters.	15 nodes	$15.00 - $25.00

Fauna

	Item	Qty	Est. Cost
	Jordanella floridae (Flagfish)- A primary algae eater; watch for territorial behavior in males.	4 (2 pairs)	$20.00 - $35.00
	Heterandria formosa (Least Killifish)- World's smallest livebearer; peaceful and very active.	10	$30.00 - $50.00

Setup Guide

Establishing the Everglades Floor

Day 1

Position the empty 60P tank on a level, foam-padded surface.
Layer the Organic Active Soil in the rear and midground, creating a slope that rises toward the back-left corner.
Position the Manzanita Wood branches so they arch from the back-left toward the front-right, mimicking submerged cypress roots.
Pour the fine tan sand in the foreground to create a natural-looking path or clearing.
Carefully cap the active soil with fine gravel to prevent the soil from clouding the water.

Tip: Use a soft brush to create a distinct line between the sand path and the gravel cap for a clean 'Jungle' aesthetic.

Vegetating the Sunburst

Day 1

Mist the substrate with a spray bottle to make planting easier and prevent the roots from drying.
Insert root tabs into the soil sections where the Sagittaria and Mayaca will be planted.
Plant the 15 nodes of Sagittaria subulata in the foreground, spacing them 1-2 inches apart.
Group the 6 pots of Bacopa caroliniana stems in the midground around the base of the Manzanita wood.
Place the 4 bunches of Mayaca fluviatilis in the deepest part of the background.
Fill the tank slowly by pouring water over a plastic bag or bowl to avoid disturbing the layout.

Tip: When planting the Mayaca, use pinsettes to tuck the stems deep into the substrate to prevent them from floating before they root.

Cycling & Technical Setup

Weeks 1-4

Install the Internal Power Filter and set it to a gentle flow to avoid buffeting the small Least Killifish later.
Install the heater and set it to 75°F.
Configure the Fluval Plant Nano LED for an 8-hour photoperiod with a 'Sunrise/Sunset' ramp up/down.
Perform 50% water changes twice a week during the first 14 days to manage initial nutrient spikes.
Test water parameters weekly for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate.

Tip: The Bacopa may smell like lemon during the first trim; this is a natural defense mechanism and a sign of a healthy plant.

Adding the North American Stars

Month 1+

Once Ammonia and Nitrite are at 0 ppm, introduce the 10 Least Killifish (Heterandria formosa).
Monitor the Least Killifish for one week before adding the 4 Flagfish (Jordanella floridae).
Check that the temperature remains stable at 75°F.
Begin a weekly liquid iron supplement to maintain the vibrant green of the Mayaca fluviatilis.

Tip: If the male Flagfish become territorial, the dense Sagittaria and Bacopa thickets will provide necessary hiding spots for the females and the smaller Least Killifish.

Maintenance Schedule

Daily

Feeding and Health Monitoring

Feed the Flagfish and Least Killifish small portions of micro-pellets or frozen brine shrimp. Confirm the heater is maintaining a stable 75F and observe the Flagfish for any territorial behavior.

Weekly

Water Change and Glass Maintenance

Perform a 25 percent water change using dechlorinated water. Use a soft scraper to clean the glass, ensuring the sunburst colors of the plants remain visible through the 60P glass.

Iron Dosing and Stem Trimming

Dose a liquid iron supplement to prevent the Mayaca fluviatilis from yellowing. Trim the fast-growing Bacopa caroliniana and Mayaca stems to prevent them from shading the Sagittaria subulata carpet.

Monthly

Filter and Flow Optimization

Rinse the internal power filter's sponge in a bucket of tank water. Ensure the flow remains gentle enough for the Least Killifish while providing adequate circulation for the dense plant thickets.

Substrate and Root Tab Refresh

Lightly vacuum the fine tan sand paths to remove detritus. Supplement the Organic Active Soil by inserting root tabs near the Bacopa and Sagittaria nodes every two months to maintain high-impact growth.

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