Clearwater habitats exist in piedmont stream with substrate of rounded stones, gravel and sand where there is little erosion. Such waters are fairly common as creeks and rivers flowing through ancient rock, but are not abundant in lowland tropical rainforest. These rivers are fast-flowing at times, but slow-moving at others. The water is usually cooler with average temperatures in the low to mid 70s F. The water is typically clear with higher mineral content and lower levels of humic and fulvic acids than blackwater and whitewater rivers.

According to some sources, aquatic plants are almost never found in clearwater biotopes, and according to other sources, clearwater rivers may support abundant plant growth (could someone clarify this?). Additionally, algae grow vigorously on the rocky substrate supporting a variety of sucker-mouth catfish, another popular aquarium subject commonly known as plecos.

Some of the well known whitewater rivers include Rio Xingú, Tocantins and Tapajós. The water of Xingú for example is fast, the river is deep and the bottom is covered with sand, rocks and really low vegetation. Fish found in this area include Hypancistrus zebra, Corydoras, Discus, Pterophylum, Astronotus, Apistogramma and catfishes. Fish from this habitat tipically live close to the shore, hiden among driftwood, rocks and plants when available.

Clearwater Tank

The tank should have a good filtration to keep the water clear, well aerated and to creates a moderate current. Unlike whitewater and blackwater biotopes, the lighting should be bright.
The substrate should be made of a mix of sand and gravel covered with bottom is covered rocks.

Water chemistry
The water should have a pH between 6 and 7.3 with a dH of 5 to 10. Temperature should be 75-82 F (24-28 C).

Fish:
Loricarids, Corydoras, Uaru, Mesonauta, Hyphessobrycon, Discus, Hypancistrus zebra, Apistogramma and catfishes.

Plants:
Sword plants, Ceratophyllum, Cabomba, Lemma, Limnobium, Vallisneria

The following videos give a good idea of what clearwater environments look like

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Source:

Freshwateraquariumplants.com: Amazon Biotope
Freshwateraquariumplants.com: Amazone River Facts
Mongabay.com: Whitewater Biotope
Aqua-fish.net: Whitewater river
Ivanov.ch: Amazonien
TheKrib.com: Biotopes
SydneyCichlid.com: Dwarf-Cichlid
Mongabay.com: River Types: Dwarf-Cichlid

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