Dominican Republica: 19th April 2008

This trip is to get some chocolate gouramis - Sphaerichthys osphromenoides for the biotope setup. As this fish is not a protected species yet. So, i can get some of them from the wild. But I will not enclose the location. So, please don't email me and ask.

This trip was planned 2 weeks ago. First is to get the above mentioned. Second is to learn something new from my friend - Pisces Lim. As he is a specialist into wild Betta. Studying and collecting all sort of wild betta all over the world. And of couse he is also very knowledgeable in other fishes, carnivorous plants and aquatic plants.

Pisces arrived on 18th April 2008, Friday night. But overnight in P's living place. T came all the way from Singapore and arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Pudu bus station at 3:50am on 19th April 2008, Saturday. Both of them came to Kuala Lumpur for the Zoo Negara Earth Day and Wetland Celebration. P suggested to goto the destination for netting at 6:30am. That is early!!! Anyway, I've woke up around 3:50am and goto Pudu bus station to pick T up. Back at home around 4:30am. Can't sleep at all and chatting with T till 6:00am. Then heading to P's living place.

Arrived P's house at 6:25am. P and Pisces quicky wash up and get ready to our destination. After our breakfast, we were stopped at somewhere in between our destination to check out the Cryptocoryne minima site where Pisces can't find on his last trip. (Pictures below are all taken by T. Fujifilm, Finepix E500)

Here is the stream full with Cryptocoryne minima and Barclaya motleyi. But that place full of mosquito as well. I got more than 20 bites on my hands within 5 minutes. Couldn't stand of it... Keep cursing the mosi....

C.minima and B.motleyi are growing together...Very cold water and PH is around 6.4-6.7

After 15 minutes spent at C.minima site, we were continue and drive all the way to our destination where we could find Chocolate Gouramis, Betta livida ( 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), Betta hipposideros (2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), Betta bellica, Paedocypris sp, (Slightly bigger than the smallest fish - Paedocypris progeneticai **n the world. Not yet described) Paros harveyi, Rasbora kalochroma, Channa bangkanensis and etc.
Check out the water color. It is just like a black coffee. This is due to tree leaf litters and create a perfect enviroment for all the black water fauna. PH is 3.2. Temperature on water surface is around 27-29C. Further in or deeper water temperature is around 24-26C.

Utricularia gibb a type of carnivorous plant growing in water, are everywhere and floating on the surface of the water. The tinny yellow thing on it is the flower of U.gibba. As it will capture the live micro-organism inside the water and eat.
Here is the close up of the U.gibba

Here is the close up of the U.gibba.

None of the protected species were collected. Due to the climate, the sea water level raising. The sea water intruded into fresh water stream. Guess this black water stream will disappear together with all the endangered species which can be found in here.
Trichogaster leeri aka Lace or pearl gourami found on the ground. Guess someone caught it and just leave it there to die. Please don't do that. Release them back if you don't want to keep.

After i got my chocolate gouramis and Pisces has his Paedocypris sp. We left this place with wounds on hands and legs again. As there are too many tree branches and plants which can cut through your skin easily.