260 Climbing Perch
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 6:15 pm
I chance upon a concealed small pond besides a stream which has almost dried up. The pond's water was probably filled during the rainy period a month back and the risen stream water had flowed into it. Now, it has been pretty hot and dry for the past week or so and the pond is almost dried up. What's left is a small puddle of water with many fishes inside. Upon closer look, I found them to be mostly juvenile climbing perches, overcrowding in the puddle.
I know climbing perch are very hardy fish and can survive with very little water and have air breathing organ. However, I doubt they can survive till the next rainfall and who knows when. I tried to move them into the stream but it proved to be a very tedious and dirty job without a net. I stopped at the 260th perch as I was too tired and my hands have very awful stench.
I released all that I've caught into the stream leaving the survival of remaining half to chance. Anyway, I believe there will be some impact on the stream ecology to release so many of them at a go. On the bright side, the sky seems to darken towards the afternoon. The rain should be near, hopefully soon enough to save the rest.
The bag of Climbing Perches
A close look at one of them
I was surprised to find this two spotted gouramy in that muddy pool.
And a haruan too!
What's left of the pond. The entire area is full of rubbish, so horrible.
Another interesting observation is after I released them into the stream, most of them stayed together and hang around the same spot. I threw in some worms I brought along and they took them happily. Threw in some bread, but only some ate it. Then I tossed some live ants into the water, and they were eaten immediately.
I know climbing perch are very hardy fish and can survive with very little water and have air breathing organ. However, I doubt they can survive till the next rainfall and who knows when. I tried to move them into the stream but it proved to be a very tedious and dirty job without a net. I stopped at the 260th perch as I was too tired and my hands have very awful stench.
I released all that I've caught into the stream leaving the survival of remaining half to chance. Anyway, I believe there will be some impact on the stream ecology to release so many of them at a go. On the bright side, the sky seems to darken towards the afternoon. The rain should be near, hopefully soon enough to save the rest.
The bag of Climbing Perches
A close look at one of them
I was surprised to find this two spotted gouramy in that muddy pool.
And a haruan too!
What's left of the pond. The entire area is full of rubbish, so horrible.
Another interesting observation is after I released them into the stream, most of them stayed together and hang around the same spot. I threw in some worms I brought along and they took them happily. Threw in some bread, but only some ate it. Then I tossed some live ants into the water, and they were eaten immediately.