Blehers Biotopes-1

1
Bleher’s
Biotopes
in Nature and in Aquaria
Editorial: Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquaria B l e he r ’ s B i ot o p e s
i n N atur e an d
Dear Reader i n Aq u ar ia
First of all I want to mention that this is a unique
Catalogue, which was launched extreme successfully in
Russia, is finally now available in the English language Published by: Aquapress
exclusively from Aquapress Publishers. I must say that

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it was an immense pleasure for me to provide the

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world from five continents and it is my aim to pass my
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knowledge on to the entire nature-loving world.

E-mail:
In this issue, and in future yearly publications, I am

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Home page:
showing the real aquatic world in nature, the www.aquapress-bleher.com
expeditions to collect life aquatic creatures and plants,
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how to bring them back alive and introduce them into

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this beautiful hobby. I want for you dear reader, to see

how fishes live naturally and how they should be kept
Editorship:
in aquarium, for you to have the healthiest, nature-like

Editor in Chief: Heiko Bleher
environment in your home, office or school.

To stimulate you to have (or to create) a biotope-
BEHINDEVERYBEAUTY
Texts:
correct-aquarium, in order to even appreciate it more
Heiko Bleher and
and your fishes to feel “at home”.

Bertran M. Feitoza,
Luiz A. Rocha,
It is my aim to not only pass on this information, but Osmar J. Luiz-Junior,
also to give you tips of how to decorate the aquarium Sergio R. Floeter and
accordingly and maintain it – for beginners as well as

João L. Gasparini
for advanced aquarists. Show you the latest
THERE IS A BEAST.
introductions into the hobby talk about well-known Photos:
aquarium fishes and aquatic plants, as well as what is
Gerald R. Allen, Heiko Bleher,
available in your pet shop – very well illustrated in

Bertran M. Feitoza, E. Fritzche,
each issue.
Natasha Khardina, Ralf Kiefner,
Osmar J. Luiz-Junior and
Now you may ask, “why is Heiko Bleher doing this”? Or “who is Heiko Bleher”? Well for those how do Luiz A. Rocha.
not know me (and for those who have no access to the Internet), I would like to introduce myself.
I am born into a family, who has dedicated their life to the aquarium hobby. My grandfather, Adolf Kiel
INTRODUCINGFLUVALFX5 – who’s wife was actually Russian descend – thought in the 1880s, when people already did have glass
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bowls with goldfish in their home and the first public aquariums had opened their doors, that there is
Rossella Bulla and Heiko Bleher
HIGHPERFORMANCECANISTERFILTER something missing. He said “aquatic plants”, which bring oxygen to the underwater life (nobody than had
aquarium plants) and exotic fishes. So Adolf went out into Europe’s wilderness, collected and started his
Fluval FX5 was designed purely for functionality and aquatic plant culture and breeding – mostly cold water – fishes and had by 1900 the largest establishment
of its kind in the world, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Were he is still today known as
The entire contents of the
“The Father of Aquatic Plants”.

power! State-of-the-art Smartpump™ technology, magazine is copyright.
No part of the contents may
Click-Fit connectors and massive media capacity make My mother, Amanda Flora Hilda Kiel (born in 1910) grew up with aquatic plants, fishes, reptiles and be reproduced without written
Fluval FX5 the true benchmark in high performance amphibians instead of dolls. (The same what happened to me.) She was an amazing women and the permission from the Publisher.
preferred child of three. Her life engagement was the same as her fathers, but she in addition started to do
The Publisher disclaims all
expeditions into Africa and South America to collect new fishes and aquatic plant species – of which she
¿OWUDWLRQ responsibility for returning
unsolicited material, and all
discovered many. And quite a few bear her name “Amanda” or “Bleher”, as she married in 1938, my rights in portions there of
father Ludwig Bleher. (But he was never engaged in this field.) I was the youngest of four children and
published remain the sole
Smart Pump™ technology,
after world war II she took me with the age of four already to Africa and with seven to South America,
property of Aquapress.
monitors the pump, ensuring
HI¿FLHQWRSHUDWLRQ collecting and cataloguing fishes and plants, reptiles and amphibians, birds and mammals. I had no choice ISSN 1126-8956
I grew up in between the aquatic environment and have been with it all my life. Including 30 consecutive
years running a company called Aquarium Rio, which I had established in Brazil, were my mother lived
© Aquapress 2007
for her last 30 years, and from were I moved back to Germany in 1967. Under Aquarium Rio I exported
© aqua geõgraphia 2007
Massive media capacity © Blehers’ Biotopes
consisting of 3 separate tropical fishes and plants to 86 countries world-wide and travelled collecting and bringing back yearly in Nature and in Aquaria
removable baskets many new fish species – in the meanwhile I introduced more than 4,000 different aquarium fish species
into this hobby and several aquarium plants (and many of both bear my name). With over 800 expeditions
collecting and researching in 163 countries, I think I am able to bring to you some of my fishy knowledge.
Advertisement:
And I shall not disappoint you.

925 GPH of Raw Power C2: Fluval FX5 - Rolf C. Hagen
Pages: 58-59-60-61
I will give my best to show you the global aquatic world of today, but not only that, also the natural Fluval - Rolf C. Hagen
environment, its people, tradition and cultures. From each continent, in each issue a new country will be
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presented with its fishes, plants and its environment and an adequate biotope-aquaria from one particular
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biotope (river, creek, lake or bay) of that country.

For Fresh and Saltwater Once you have read this the first issue, I would very much like you to write to us. Give us your opinion,
Aquariums up to 400 Gallons what you think of this new concept for the most beautiful and educational hobby on planet Earth.
Your nature lover
Heiko Bleher
Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquaria 3

BIOTOPE ASIA – Lao 1
AQUARIUM Biotopes
Bleher’s
in Nature and in Aquaria
MARINE FISHES
Reef fishes of St. Paul’s Rocks
Contents
Editorial 3
AFRICA
Congo: Land of Aquarium Fishes
Discovery of a Dreal Lake 4
Text & Photos: Heiko Bleher
AMERICA
Rio Guaporè 20
ASIA
Lao 38
AMERICA AUSTRALASIA
Mamberamo 62
AFRICA
Rio Guaporé
MARINE FISHES
Congo – Land of Aquarium Reef fishes of St. Paul’s Rocks 90
AUSTRALASIA
Text & Photos:
Fishes – Discovery of a Dreal Lake Bertran M. Feitoza,
Luiz A. Rocha, Osmar J.
Luiz-Junior, Sergio R. Floeter,
João L. Gasparini and
Heiko Bleher
BIOTOPE AQUARIUM
The Neons & cardinals 106
The Guppy 110
The angelfish 114
Mamberamo
The Goldfish 118
Text: Heiko Bleher
Photos: Heiko Bleher and
Natasha Khardina
АFRICА Congo Congo АFRICА
Congo
Congо
4 Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquaria Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquaria 5
Problem after problem swam through the “conflagration”. It was some time before I came back
In Kinshasa, the capital of former Zaïre These jewels, these swimming specks down to earth. This first impression of
(now Congo), my luggage disappeared, of colour in a dreamlike, but at the Lake Fwa is something I will never
but nevertheless the next day I flew on same time natural, underwater garden, forgest as long as I live. My urge to
to Kananga. It would be sent on… but reminded me of my childhood. It was plunge into the water was not detered
after a week of preparation for the ex- 1947, I had just turned three, and the by the presence of Bilharzia. With
pedition there was still no sign of it. On aftermath of the Second World War mask, snorkel and a powerful underwa-
the spur of the moment I flew back and was everywhere. My mother, Amanda, ter lamp I leapt into the water and
found it among thousands of missing had been a “driving force” in the re- swam through the landscape of under-
bags and suitcases in an obscure semi- building of the Frankfurt Zoo and water gardens. Swimming past striking
Congо
Congo
derelict warehouse. opened the first aquarium display. I rock formations, over snow-white sand,
Back in Kananga, with the backing of stood proudly (I had only just learned between the long leaves of Vallisneria,
the Cooperation Regional Kasai Occi- to walk myself) in front of a huge beneath tree trunks grazed by fishes
dental, and driving a sparkling new aquarium. For the first time I aw a fas- and inhabited by countless tiny
jeep belonging to the Projet Piscicul- cinating aquatic landscape. An under- shrimps, I did not want to emerge
ture Familiale, I set off on the only water garden through which fishes again.
road to the east. Although there was swam hither and thither like glittering That night I lay in the open on the
practically no traffic, every so often I jewels. And I could not catch these shore, unable to sleep. Was this a
saw the wreck of a car in the ditch. On swimming specks of colour. The tank dream? Such a fantastic lake totally un-
an earlier attempt at this journey my was too high. I stood in wonderment, spoiled? No people? Not the slightest
own vehicle suffered a similar fate. The my lower jaw sank lower and lower, trace of civilization? Had investigations
road was so hazardous one could only and only the call of my mother – by the Belgian J. Schwetz in 1946
contemplate a journey in an emergency, “Heiko, shut your mouth before the
with a 4-wheel drive vehicle and in the flies gest in” woke me up! 2
dry season.
I reached Lake Mukamba, formely
the weekend resort for Kananga, in
1
the evening. Like most of the area
the lake is without any noteworthy
stands of trees (apart from a few
palms there is just dry savannah in
Kasai State). An investigation re-
vealed that the native flora and
fauna in this lake had been wiped
out by the introduction of tilapi-
ines. The largest fish I caught measured
only 6 cm. Normally tilapiines, which
3
have been introduced all over the trop-
ics, measure between 35 and 40 cm.
After Mukamba the road became even
narrower and war barely passable. The
last 50 km to the lake took a day and a
night. I was completely lost when sud-
denly a valley filled with lofty green
Land of Aquarium Fishes – Discovery of a Dreal Lake

trees appeared in the savannah. There
was no obvious way down. Finally, as
darkness fell, I came to a bay. The sight
made me forget the hardships of the
past 10 days.
There are places on this earth which seem only to exist in the human imagination and among these is a The water was on fire
lake in the very heart of Africa which surpasses the bounds of that imagination. A unique, fascinating, The rays of the setting sun penetrated
the surface of the water and tinged the
underwater world; a dream lake; Lake Fwa. Located in the African land of Aquarium Fishes... aquatic vegetation with blood-red. It In two occasions I was fortunate to reach this remote Lac Fwa in today’s Democratic Republic of Congo,
looked as if the water was on fire and former Zaire. And I was able to bring out for the first time alife some of the most beautifuil (and colorful)
Text and Photos: Heiko Bleher the plants were moving to the rhythm
cichlids the aquarium hobby has ever seen. One of them was Thorachromis brauschi (1) former Hap-
lochromis. The only acess to Lac faw is to fly to Kananga and than drive (if there is a car in Kananga...)
of the flames while innumerable fishes 150 km east, on an hardly existnc track (2). Than, if lucky, one arrives near at the lake (3).
6 aquarium catalogue Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquaria 7

AFRICA Congo Congo AFRICA
showing the presence of Bilharzia in- lochromine, the largest cichlid in the hundreds of fry. Around the rock for- thousands pass by me. It was fascinat-
fested water had such a drastic effect? lake. I named in the “Picasso Fish”, as mations (which resembled those in the ing to note that all individuals except
Was that why the lake had vanished Pablo Picasso is the only person on garden of the Tenryuji temples in Ky- the leader adapted completely to the
from the maps? Question upon ques- earth who was able to create such a oto, but were rather older, those in colour of the white sand. He was an at-
tion, but no answers. combination of colours. Japan having not been built until tractive dark brown with yellow ins and
I had only two days left. So in the early The dugout was ramshackle, more sink- 1339…) hundreds of partly dark to longitudinal bands. Mainly he swam in
morning mist I was straight back out on ing than swimming, but in the slow- black coloured cichlids with gleaming front of and above the shoal, only devi-
the water, together with a native who moving waters of the bays a five cm golden yellow dorsal fins swam verti- ating if a rival appeared.
lived in a nearby but. His dugout canoe long bottom dwelling fish, a Garra cally to suck the rocks clean. Others, Other (possibly small Haplochromis
was leaky. While I baled, he pushed the species, could clearly be seen, even at a with silver longitudinal bands, emerald spp.) live only among the plants, feed-
canoe with a long pole. As the sun rose, depth of 15 metres. The lake was so green opercula and pink-red fins with a ing on algae and micro-organisms. The
Lake Fwa awoke, and with it its flora transparent as to create the illusion that white border and velvet clack leading plants also offer shelter to groups of
and fauna. Fishes leapt from the water our boat was suspended in mid air. edge adorning the dorsal, defended developing juveniles. The largest swim-
with joy (or were they hunting), colour- There was better to come. their females. The latter carried up to ming creature in the lake, a carp-like
ful butterflies fluttered from one splen- I dived with flippers, spending some 50 1.5 cm long fry in their mouths, on- Labeo species, appears not to eat plant
did orchid to the next, red-coloured six hours exploring. Under the floating ly releasing their offspring to allow leaves. This grey, harmless fish, which
crabs scuttled round in the deeper water plants (Pistia stratiotes) I found cich- them to urinate in the shadow of large grows up to 65 cm has a long pointed
and nasty black wasps with yellow lids with blood-red ventral surfaces rocks. As soon as danger threatend the snout with sensory organs on its suck-
nether regions buzzed around. A group (Hemichromis species) surrounded by almost colourless mothers sucked in all ing mouth. The body is marked with
of monkeys leapt away from us through 1 large, deep red, almost round spots on
the treetops. The frogs were silent. their fry again. The males displayed
At this point the lake was more like a their splendid finnage, the elongate
river, running swiftly northwards, golden spot in the anal being particular-
hemmed in by giant Colocasia leaves, ly prominent, and chased away wach
Pandanus plants protruding from the and every intruder. This fish was de-
water higher than the average tree and scribed by Poll as a monotypic species,
ferns larger than any I had ever seen Schwetzochromis neodon, and is, like
before. Philodendrons hung from the all the other cichlid species here en-
overhanging treees and other climbing demic, that is to say, found only in this
plants complemented this unique shore- lake.
line. It was just the same underwater. While fishes like the above inhabit
The waterscape varied from endless mainly the rocky areas, others are
succulent green beds of giant Vallisner- found exclusively over sandy sub-
ia, brooken by bizzare rocky outcrops startes. These, led by a dominant indi-
resembling a moonscape, to white un- viual, forage in the Sand for microor-
derwater sand dunes and rock forma- ganismus (interstitial fauna). They re-
tions of red lava. peatedly take up mouthfuls of sand, sift
There is an immense richness of water- it for food and spit it out again. I lay on
plants. The genera
1
the bottom, totally submerged, and let
Lagarosiphon, Pota-
2
mogeton, Nymphaea, each scale. Less innocuous are the
Nuphar and Ottelia characins of the Hydrocynus group,
were all represented sometimes called tigerfish. Their
plus countless aquatic mouths are armed with very large,
ferns and floating pointed, interlocking teeth like those of
plants – plants which the cats and can send shivers down
were new to me. All 2 your spine – but their prey consists
mingled with millions Along the terrible dirt mainly of fish.
of fishes. Cichlids road we run always
predominated, gener- into car problems (1). The Lake has cristal clear water and one can see
ally swimming At one native settle- to the bottom from anywhere. Here a view of one
ment the oil plugged area were there are rocks in the background and
around in large and our driver “blew” large growth of Vallisneria aethiopica in the
shoals. Also, I saw the dust out (2).The forground (1). Underwater one can also see
single individuals of natives, far from any everything. Here Ceratophyllum demersum in the
civilisation, built their forground and hundreds of cichlids over the white
an exceptionally huts from natural ma- sand (2). Lac Faw consists of one upper and one
colourful hap- terials, here bricks lower lake-level area. Torwards the lower lake is
made from clay (3) a tremendous strong currant, which can be seen
3
3 clearly by this underwater photo (3).
АFRICA Congo Congo АFRICA
2
1
The strong current in the middle of the spurting to a height of up to a metre not flying. Then our flight to Kananga
lake, against which it is impossible to above the rocks. At many places in the was cancelled and no alternative avail-
swim, drove me a few kilometres sandy bottom water bubbles through able. When we finally arrived in
downstream to a narrow. Here the up- unhindered. The lake has only a single Kananga on the fifth day, our passports
per lake, normally 100 to 300 metres in outlet at its northern end. But I did not were taken away. It was claimed that
width, was only 12 metres wide and see that until two years later. we had no travel permits for Kasai. Af-
3 4
fropped to a lower level over a kind of In the 1990s it was to be different, I ter three days, part spent in custody At the lake site there are no native, nor any other
waterfall. In the evening, as, restless had intended to spend 14 days at the (my visa was said to be invalid and my people living. There is no boat or any other sign
but unusually happy, I lit my campfire dream lake, with provisions for this pe- presence here thus illegal), we were of human trace, except for a few dugouts made
at the edge of a by, a youth arrived, riod of time, and accompanied by two given residence permits, but only for by distant living natives, which come once in a
while to fish, a couple of those helped us. Here
bringing me a paire of fishes he had very good friends – the cichlid breeder three days, and only for Kananga – but rawing over masses of Ceratophyllum (1).
caught. and Tanzania-traveller Peter Schupke of not our passport. The jeep we had The Vallisneria aethiopica becomes bright red
I excanged these for some German Bayern and the forest expert Karlheinz arranged to hire was useless – all the in shallow water, were also are found many
vegetable soup. Freitag. But on this expedition to the wheels, as well as the engine were Lemna gibba (2).The two recognized species,
Cyclopharynx schwetzi and C. fwae migrate con-
Lake Fwa is so clear because its only Congo everything was to go wrong, as damaged or missing and no alternative stantly over the fine white sand and ingest large
affluents are a large number of under- is unfortunately typical of the darkest vehicles were available. At the hotel – amounts of white sand and diatoms. Always
ground springs, some of them massive. part of Africa... the Grand Hotel Kananga – there was watched and guided (and protected?) by the
The power with which the clear water nothing: no information, no electricity, dark coloured alpha animals (3-4). Another
endemic species (and genus) is Schwetzochromis
emerges from the rocks and holes is Delays and detention no running water and no food. Eventu- neodon. A fascinating cichlid (see also
immense. In a few shallow areas this We were delayed in Kinshasa for three ally the mission helped us out with an following pages).Here seen in
creates a fountain effet, with water days because the internal airline was old Landrover. Finally, on the evening the centre over white sand and Ceratophyllum
demersum, with its female below (5) 5
АFRICA Congo Congo АFRICА
of the tenth day, we reached Lake Fwa.
During the journey I noticed that there
1 2 3 4 had been some destruction since my
previous visit. There were practically
no trees to be seen, just charcoal. The
trees had been burned as far as the
shore of the lake, and a road to the dia-
mond mining town of Mbuji-Mayi was
under constructions nearby. There were
now far more fishermen on the lake
than two years before. A man dragged
past a newly-shot monkey and another
a seven metre long python skin.
Karlheinz and Peter shared my be-
witchment, and on our second, and fi-
nal day we decided, despite the short-
ness of the time available, to travel
down the lake to its outlet. This proved
to be rather more than and adventurous
undertaking. From five in the morning
until sunset we had to paddle ourselves
to the other end of the lake in two sink-
ing canoes. During this time I was able
to establish with certainly the reason
thy all the species in the lake (with one
or two possible exceptions) are endem-
ic. In the lower lake (which I term thus,
because after the narrows and the wa-
terfall the real lake begings, now up to
1000 metres wide, with barely any cur-
rent and very deep) there is a six kilo-
metres long stretch which is choked
with an impenetrable grwoth of water
plants. A covering of Potamogeton
species forms a huge carpet, extending
down to the bottom some metre below.
We could barely push our boats for-
Schwetzochromis neodon has fascinating

6 co-lou-rs, here a male (1-2). In their revision
Roberts & Kullander (1994) of the Lac Fwa
8 cichlids, they placed Poll’s 1948 described
5 Callopharynx microdon in synonomy with
Cyclopharynx fwae, but not only is their
7 morphology distinct, but also their behaviour:
microdon (3-4) eats exclusively Aufwuchs
(seen on the large photo scraping head down),
while fwae and schwetzi ingest sand and di-
atoms. Frogs can be seen around Lac Fwa at
night (5) and in the lower lake area many
Pistia stratiodes (6). No one knew the length
of LacFwa, but I was able to me-sure it. At
the very end, were the lake merges (at its
outflow) with the Lubi river, we lost our stick
to bring the dugout back, so I did raw with
my diving fins. I made 22,000 strokes and
each one brought us about 1 m ahead = 22
km long(7). The lake has, at its southern end,
incredible quantities of underground springs.
In some places the waterfountain is so strong
that it blows one away, or they ly near the
surface (8).
wards, and swimming and diving were tried to get my dougout and all our evening. Later on, first I was tricken by
impossible. Neither we, nor the fisher- gear up through the rush of water with a dreadful attack of Malaria, then Peter
men could find a single fish in this the second dugout tied to the rear. Nat- and Karleheinz succumbed. All three of
area, just millions of shirmps. urally this took several attempts, and us were found to be Bilhazia-
The outflow into the murky river Lubi eventually everything was underwater positive.
is indescribably strong. Here we again – including camera, money and food. We were also positive that we had con-
found fishes in a tiny inlet – but they firmed the presence of the families No-
were not species found in the lake, and Sorrowful hearts and happy topteridae (1 sp.), Mormyridae (2 spp.),
must have originated in the river. memories Clupeidae (1 sp.), Cyprinidae (4-5
As the sun set over the carpet of plants, We left the dream lake with sorrowful spp.), Alestidae (2 spp.), Distichodidae
glittering golden in its rays, we paddled hears but happy memories. The lake (1 sp), Bagridae (3 spp), Clariidae (1
back, with our flippers, against the cur- was unique, as was the adventure of sp), Mochokidae 81-2 spp),
rent! It was unbelievably hard work: exploring in. In Kananga we retrieved Alocheilichthyidae (2 spp.) and Cichli-
22,000 beats of the flippers, each pro- our passports at the last minute; in Kin- dae (at least 10 spp.), a total of at least
ducing a metre’s progress. I expected to shasa I was once gain detained because 29 species and most probably more
have no arms left by dawn. I dould still of a missing authorization stamp (un- than 30. And almost all of these are en-
feel my muscles aching weeks later. We doubtedly a deliberate omission), and it demic. We had descovered twice as
also had to get past the waterfall. My was only through the invention of may species as listed by Pool and
comrades wandered through the under- Karheinz and the help of the German Roberts who were responsible for the
growth while I, assisted by a guide, embassy that we boarded our flight that only previous reports on Lake Fwa.
Lac Fwa is unique on planet Earth, and not only for all its endemic colourful cichlids. It is an giant, unbelieveable beautiful, natural aquarium.
I called it“Picasso Cichlid”, as to my believe only this master (Picasso) was able to produce such colours as I found in It has a spe-cies flock (small compared to Tangaganyika, Malawi and Victoria – but there are definately more than the 5 recognized species
Thoracochromis callichromus in Fwa. (by Roberts & Kullander).
INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM Congo Congo INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM
1 2 1 2
3 4 3 4
5 6 5 6
For a biotope aquarium with Lac Fwa cichlids (but not only – see main text for other families), here some samples and information about the same: 1. Thora- Here some different (African) fish species from Cameroon and the Congo basin with information about behaviour and habitat, as well as how to keep them:
cochromis callichromis, the “Picasso fish”, can grow to 15 cm total length (it is the largest cichlid in Lac Fwa), it is by far the most colourful of all, but also the 1. Pelvicachromis taeniata from Muyuca (Cameroon), is a fantastic small beauty – but only the female has such bright colours. 2. With P. taeniata from Dehane, the
most aggressive one. Only to be kept in very large aquariums and better in groups of five and more. And to decorate their aquarium with many large Vallisneria male has a stricing colour. They all (P. taeniata variants) are territorial dwarf cichlids and can be kept in small groups, but once they found their mate, the become
gigantea (see comments at the end). 2. The female of T. callichromis is has much less colours. 3. T. brauschi is a peaceful cichlid and has been established in the very aggressive, even towards each other, so it is imperative to have enough places for thjem to hide (ie drift woods, ceramic cones or pots, rocks with holes, etc.).
hobby, in Russia, as well as in Europe and America. Thanks to the breeding of Mr. Anatoly (Moscow) and others breeders. 4. The female of T. brauschi has more 3. Also Nanochromis species, here N. squamiceps (female), are peaceful dawrf cichlids if kept in groups, but individuals may be aggressive, in such a case they
colours, than the female of the Picasso fish. 5. Also Cyclopharynx schwetzi is a very nice peaceful cichlid. This as well as the similar C. fwae filter the sand for mi- should be separated (specially if there are young, normally leave only the female with the babies, as she takes good care). 4. The true Nanochromus dimidiatus (in
croorganisms – therfore need fine sand on the bottom. 6. Schwetzichromis neodon, is another unique Lac Fwa beauty and a peaceful character as well. This most publication wrongly identified), is as all other Nanochromis, a peaceful dawrf cichlid, except when spwaning (or shortly after). But all (Pelvicachromis as
mouthbrooder (as all the others), needs some rocky area, because it also eats Aufwuchs from the rocks. Nanochromis) should be kept in soft water and pH values should be definately below 7.0 – better even below 6.0 if possible. The conductivity must be below 100 mi-
Note: in generell, such an Lac Fwa aquarium should have a rocky area with flat rocks, or rocks in odd shapes (see previous page); some Vallisneria gigantea (as crosiemens – in nature it is always below 30 microsiemens. Ideal is filtermaterial such as peat moos and for decoration one must have fine white sand, driftwood,
shurely V. aethiopica is not available in the hobby), Ceratophyllum demersum, maybe some water lilies (Nymphaea species) and Lagarosiphon major, if available, some Anubias, and Bolbitis species and/or Crinum natans. Water temperatures should be above 23°C, better 26-28°C but never over 30°C. And aquariums not to
and much white (fine) sand.It sould have a strong water flow and be cristal clear water. The pH can go from 7.0 up to 8.5 (or even a little higher) and the con- small, except for breeding porpose. 5-6. Good group fishes for any of the above mentioned dwarf cichlids in a joint community aquarium should have characoids,
ductivity anywhere from 100 up to 500 microsiemens (and even more). Temperatures from 23-24 to maximum of 29°C. like Phenacogrammus, Nanaethiops, Micralestes or Rhabdalestes species. Here just to show two nice ones: the Micralestes stormsi (5) from the Congo basin, as well
as the neon-luminating Phenacogrammus bleheri, descovered by the author.
INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM Congo Congo INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM
1 4 5
4. Phenacogrammus interruptus and P. caudalis schooling immediately in such an decorated

2
On these two pages we see an
authentic Congo-aquarium aquarium in mid water. 5. The African butterfly fish (Pantodon buchholzi) feals fine on the
decoration: top, catching its food from the surface (only). 6. Synodontis (here S. pleurops) starts to jew the
a natural Malebo Pool stones for microorganisms (note the size of stones has to be what they can take into their
biotope, showing an extract of mouth!). 7. The same done by D. lussoso (note the stone in its mouth). 8. The elephant fishes
a bank in this large area near school as well (they are group fishes) and search in the fine sand (which is a must for them)
the city of
Kinshasa. In this biotope grow
very few aquatic plants and 6 7
small fish species are absent
(they are only found near shal-
low edges, and in affluents of
the migh-ty Congo river). This
nature-like decoration for its
inhabitants shows that the lat-
ter feal immediately like
“home”. The aquarium was
only decorated by the author a
few hours earlier (that is why
the water still not 100% clear
– but it is also not clear in na-
ture) and the following photos
show that fishes immediately
feal well:
1. The Malebo Pool has rocky
(lava or other stone) shore
with much whitesand (mostly
fine) on the bottom. Here we
find larger characoids, mostly
Phenacogrammus interruptus, 8
P. caudalis and Micralestes species.
All three have been placed here and 3
immediately formed schools in mid-
water, as in nature. The top water
layer are occupied by butterfly fishes
(Pantodon buchholzi) and the lower
midwater region by Distichodus sex-
fasciatus and D. lussoso – both larger
growing characoids, which also eat
soft (and sometimes harder) plants.
In the bottom region live Synodontis
(ie S. ornatipinnis, S. angelicus, S.
notatus, etc.) and Auchenoglanis
species are frequent visitors. The ele-
phant fishes (here Gnathonemus pe-
tersii) are also bottom dwellers and
search continously for food with
their long, lower, snout.
2. The latter started right away.
3. And the D. sexfasciatus followed, for food also as soon as placed into the tank. Note: Such an authentic biotope aquarium should have only a few plants (like Crinum natans, some Anubias nana and
as they take advantage of the food maybe Cyperus papyrus (which should grow out of the water), and the decoration as shown. This is perfect for the fishes mentioned. But it should have no less than
that comes up from the elephant 600 l, possibly more (the one shown had 1,600 l). It must have a strong filter and water flow, and the water which evaporates added (and some water change once
burrows. in a while).
Rio - Guaporé
AMERICA Rio Guaporé Rio Guaporé AMERICA
I
Hardly any river-system on planet Earth hosts such a variety of natural (aquatic) habitats, so many t was over 50 years since we – that is, (long-handled paddles with a large round rua”(pickup), and both she and the car
different species of waterplants and such a variety of freshwater fishes as the Rio Guaporé, a river that my mother, my brother Michael, my plate-like blade), dipped into the water by were on their last legs after 4 weeks of
borders Brazil with Boliva (were the same is called Río Iténez) for more than 1,300 kilometers. The sisters Karin and Irene, and myself – all three indians in unison. This time, battling through pathless regions with the
Portuguese Alexandre R. Ferreira (1756-1815) was the first naturalist to explore this unique river, had departed from Vila Bela in a long however, it was the big diesel motor in utmost difficulty, attacked and robbed by
followed by the Austrian Johann B. Natterer (1787-1843) and others, but it was the adventures German dugout crewed by three indians. Then too the towing boat that drove us, although villains and beset by hunger and thirst.
it had been 4 in the morning and thick its chugging likewise had a steady There were no proper roads in those days
woman Amanda F. H. Bleher (1910-1991), my mother, who really opened this area up for the aquarium fog, but on that occasion we were pro- rhythm - and made a lot more noise! (let alone planes), in the main just cart-
hobby worldwide. She discovered more than 60 new plant species here, and almost countless fishes, pelled along the clear, silent, Guaporé We had flown in from Rio de Janeiro on tracks. Nowadays there are decent met-
of which many of those grace today aquariums around the globe... (called Iténez on the Bolivian side – as the Friday, landing at Cuiabá, the capital alled roads and several flights per day
this river makes the border between of Mato Grosso state. In 1954 my mother from Rio or São Paulo, 2,000 km away.
Text and Fotos by Heiko Bleher Brazil and Bolivia) by hand-carved remos had arrived here in an ancient “Pe- While they had to stay in the “Grand Ho-
20 Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquarium Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquarium 21
tel” (the only option), which in no way of Rio. But today she once again spends
lived up to its name, we had a huge 1 3
most of her time in the little town on the
choice of hotels, some of them four star. Iténez and is well and truly engrossed in
But we decided to hire a VW minibus her cattle-breeding business. Her new hus-
and carry on immediately to Vila Bela. band, Bene, is likewise owner of large
The dauntless Amanda (my mother), by amounts of land and has even more cattle.
contrast, had to patch up her car (no spare
parts available, just quebra galho as the
4
Brazilians say – makeshift repairs) and
sell it, as all the roads ended here and the
only way onward was by chartered sin-
gle-engined plane.
Shortly before midnight we made a stop
in Caceres, a town on the Rio Paraguay,
where I caught thousands of fishes during
the 1960s and tried to ship them, in hun-
dreds of boxes, to Rio by pre-war DC3 -
a 2-day flight in those days, when planes
were only just beginning to penetrate the 5
interior. There were no freight services
then – “air freight” was a totally alien
concept. “Planes are for passengers and
luggage only”, I was told, “Perhaps for 6
the mail as well.....”.
Our stay in Caceres was spent in the
middle of the river, on a floating restau-
rant. There was caldada de tambaqui, a
splendid Brazilian bouillabaisse made
from Colossoma macropomum (the
pacu!), a real delicacy of a fish. We then
continued to Vila Bela, arriving at about
3 am. Of the 547 km from Cuiaba to this
remote town, only the last 78 are on un- 2
metalled roads; the main road is well-
constructed and heavily used by lorries
transporting goods to Porto Velho in the 7
state of Rondonia.
We awoke my old friend Frau Gundi, a
German lady who settled in Vila Bela
years ago, making the town her second
home. With all the trimmings: a lovely
house, fazendas with more than 60,000
head of cattle, a motorboat business, Frau Back when my mother landed in Vila
Gundi originally came here with her de- Bela - we had to make two trips from
ceased husband, a dealer in wild animal Caceres in the tiny chartered plane in or-
hides, and met my mother during her lat- der to transport ourselves and our by then
er journeys to the Guaporé. Mother was enormous pile of luggage - the settlement
always going back to Vila Bela – she was just a leper colony. Society’s out-
loved the Guaporé right to the end and vis- casts had been banished to this spot. On-
ited it almost every year during the last 30 ly the dying, almost all of them negros,
years of her life, when she lived in Magé, lived here.
right in the middle of an area of forest a Vila Bela da Santissima Trinidade (=
mere 40 km from Rio. The senhora Beautiful Town of the Most Blessed Trin-
alemão (German lady) was so interested in ity) was founded on 19th March 1792 by
my mother’s work that, as the hide busi- On one of my over 30 exploration-journeys to the Guaporé I took Holger Windelov (Denmark), and his a Portugese, Dom Antonia Rolim de
ness gradually declined, she and her hus- son Martin, as well as Paola Pierucci (Italy) with me (7). And on that journey we followed my mothers Moura Traves, the first Governador da
band started collecting plants and taking footsteps (43 years later) and travelled in a large ferry (1) down river from Vila Bela to Guajará-Mirim, Capitania of Mato Grosso. It took him
for about 1360 km, collecting plants and fishes (2), sleeping in hammocks (3)and getting sometimes even
them to Magé. Later on fish as well. She supplies from other ferry boats (4). We docked and fished often on large sandy beaches (5), as well as in and his companions 34 days to hack their
became so involved that she even opened the deep mud (6) and entered practically every affluent (7) along this long strech, discovering additional way on foot through the dense forest to
an ornamental fish business in the centre new species of aquatic plants and fishes, some to been on the following pages... this place, and when he finally reached
white woman - set foot there. Today it mosquitos that carry the deadly malaria
1 that accounted for many whites.
5
has come alive again, and is home to
somewhat more than 4,000 souls - still In 1982 Vila Bela acquired its first
mainly blacks, descendants of the bank, and now there are three. There are
quilombos, brought to Brazil as slaves by telephones and a post office, a doctor and
the Portugese from Mozambique and a dentist, a library and three boarding-
Guinea Bissau (formerly Portugese houses. A filling station and even a bus
colonies). About 10,000 people live in the station with a daily service to Caceres
region, mostly on fazendas (cattle farms), and Cuiabá. The main source of revenue
which in 1985 provided grazing for more is cattle-breeding – there are now more
than a million head of cattle. It is said than 200 million cattle in this, the second
that the negros survived here so long only largest state in Brazil. The vast fazendas
because their dark skins can resist the have, of course, made a major contribu-
2 6
the righthand bank of the Rio Guaporé he tion to the disappearance of the mato
was so enchanted with the spot that he grosso (= dense forest), of which little
immediately gave it the name it still bears remains.
today. Years later, in 1818, by which time On Saturday morning Frau Gundi woke
a village had grown up here on the bank us with a breakfast of freshly home-
of the fairytale river, a decree designated baked bread, new-laid eggs, and milk tak-
it the capital of Mato Grosso state. The en from the cow at 6 am that very morn-
name of the town became famous beyond ing. There was cheese and sausage, hon-
the boundaries of the state (and is still ey and marmalade – all home-made. Plus
marked on many maps today). But all this golden bananas, the best and sweetest
was of short duration. Dom Pedro I – there are, plus passionfruit and papaya.
ironically titled Barão (= Baron) de Vila We ate in the shade of the garden green-
3 7
A couple of days down river from Vila Bela da The Agouti (Dasyprocta sp.) is found here in areas
Santissima de Trinidade (name of the second of limestone boulders were it constracts burrows
largest village on the Guaporé, after Guajará- (5). It is one of the many rodent species in the
Mirim), lies on it´s right bank Costa Marques, a Guaporé region. Some birds take advantage of
small settlement. Here the candidate for Major sandy burrows during the dry season made by
claims to have a “clean” city, but below his sign is sting rays or eartheaters during the flooded period
all the rubish (1). In even the smallest town the (6). On some occasions we had a Mata-mata turtle
most important tool in Brazil´s tremedous bureau- (Chelus fimbriatus) in our fishing net (7). The
cracy is still the rubber-stamp (2). Martin had to Guaporé region ist still today a paradise also fro
photgraph it. The Guaporé was named by the Butterflies (8), but unfortunately macaws, such as
German naturalists Spix and Martius already in the yellow and blue one (insert) are rare now. I saw
1820 the “Birds Paradise” and it still is (in part). them when I was a child in the 1950s flying
Most abundant today are 3 different cormorants (3) in groups of thausends, also the red macaw and
and the Urubu (vulture), taking care of the carrion the Spix macaw which has become extinct after
– here a 4 m long dead caiman (4). it had been placed under CITES...
4 8
Bela, declared the town bankrupt in 1827, ery, and the table sagged with the weight
and by 1835 everything had been trans- of all the delicacies. We didn’t finish until
ferred to Cuiabá. In 1873 Dom Pedro II, 11 am, and then she invited us to go to
the emperor of Brazil, sealed the fate of one of her fazendas for lunch!
Vila Bela by officially declaring that it no Bene had had an entire sheep slowly
longer existed. In 1878 there was no roasting there since early that morning;
longer any revenue to indicate that it was the trick was to cook the animal whole
there. No white men, only negroes, lived over a 6-hour period, gradually moving it
in the village, in total isolation, for the closer to the fire so that it would slowly
next 150 years, during which it was re- “ripen”. The taste was out of this world,
peatedly overrun by the Nhambiquara in- quite fabulousssssssss! (see photo). We
dians. It was, as already mentioned, a had previously only dreamed of such a
place for outcasts and the sick, as well as feast.
a few indians, when my mother - the first He had also made the arrangements for
24 Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquarium 9 Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquarium 25
commodate our hammocks, all our equip- helpers and carrying 4,500 litres of
1 ment, and the rest of our gear (including diesel.
6
material we hoped to collect). At one end After we had cast off, I sat on the bow
of the raft he had erected a superstructure and peered through the thick fog, trying
consisting of a kitchen, toilet, and a small to recognise the windings of the river that
room for the cook. In front of this there I remembered clearly from 51 years pre-
was a long wooden table for eating and viously. But the mist rising from the wa-
working, and overhead there were beams ter and the swathes of fog reduced visi-
to support an awning and provide addi- bility to less than 10 metres. And it was
tional storage space. The whole thing was so cold (less than 14°C), even without the
attached to a boat with an equally shal- breeze created by our progress blowing in
low draft, which was to propel the raft my face, that I crept back to my ham-
along, crewed by its captain and his 3 mock and wrapped myself up warmly.
8
Paola was also muffled up

in several layers of clothes
and three pairs of stockings,
Martin had pulled on two
our expedition. For months he had thick pullovers, and Holger was
searched for a suitable boat – now, as wearing the winter jacket he had
in my mother’s day, very few craft brought along. He also tossed a glass of
travel the Guaporé, and then only for Danish kirsch down his throat to warm
short distances. There are very few himself up. To cap it all it began to pour
opportunities for refueling along the with rain. And when it rains in the trop-
1,360 km of the river. The available ics, then serious amounts of water fall
from the sky. It rained so hard that we ex-
4 3 9
2 7
Specially the lower Guaporé hosts an immense variety of water and bog plants. survive a short period emers – see photos
Alone of the genus Echinodorus 16 species are known – no other place hosts so 6-7) – was discovered by A. Bleher. Often
many swordplants in one spot. Most of them have their yearly emers-period confused with Eichhornia diversifolia, it
(1-2), and submers time. Also species of Hygrophila (4) and the beautiful red remains undescribed. Also this aquatic
Ludwigia (5) – classified by some as L. inclinata – which is only found here moos (8). Another plant, which Amanda
and makes perfect aquarium plant (but needs soft water) grow part-time introduced already in 1960 was Tonina
emers. The submers Ludwigia sedoides makes floating leaves (3). fluviatilis (some times misspelled Tonia)
One other unique aquatic and very decorative underwater plant (it can only which she called Callitriche sp. (9), as it is
classified under this genus by some.
Flower are everywhere here (10).
lanchas lie too deep in the water to nego- perienced our first flood on board our
tiate the very shallow reaches or the raft; the water came through and in under
rapids near Forte Principe during the dry the awning, soaking our photographic
season (the time of our visit); during the equipment, bags of clothes, and the food.
rainy season (November to March) it is a All the men battled, amid wind and rain,
somewhat better proposition. Getting our to secure the awning down tightly. After
expedition under way was beset with dif- about an hour, chilled to the marrow, we
ficulties almost as great as those faced by were able to go back to bed and get some
my mother more than 50 years previous- more sleep, as the sun had not yet risen.
ly, when she was trying to organise a Such were the first few hours of our un-
dugout and paddlers. But our host man- believable 14-day journey, surpassed only
aged it! by my mother’s unique trip over half a
Bene had arranged the conversion of century previously - and I have notched
one of the local cattle rafts, with a carry- up more than 700 other expeditions in the
ing capacity of 300 head of stock, to ac- 5 10 interim!
1 2 3 11 12 13
4 5 14
6 7
I recorded approximately 500 different fish species in the Guaporé – almost twice as many in this relatively narrow river with a tortal length of less than 11. Phenacogaster cf. pectinatus (upper) and a mimick (below). 12. Pygocentrus nattereri – Natterer´s Piranha.(The Piranha published in all popular aquar-
1700 km than in all of Europe – many of which are still undescribed. Here now some samples of mainly catfishes, the second largest group of fishes after the ium fish books and magazines up to date is almost all the time the one breed in Hong Kong and elsewhere, which is P. altus. Some consider the latter to be
characoids in this river system: 1. Undescribed Hypostomus (and not catalogued under the L-lists). 2. Two different species of Acanthodoras live sympatric a synonym to P. nattereri, but P. altus has black spots in the juvenile and semi-adult stage, and is only found in the upper Amazon river system.) 13. Nan-
(together), A. cataphractus (upper) and A. spinosissimus (lower). Both are peaceful smaller (hardly 10 cm SL) catfishes, which will often hide under wood. nostomus trifasciatus from the Guaporé is more colorful than from other river systems, and iit is absent from the published distribution maps... 14. A un-
3. Ancistrus sp. (male). 4. Rineloricaria cf. lanceolata. 5. Pimelodella cf. gracilis. 6. Pseudopimelodus sp. (possibly P. variolosus described in 1914 bz Miranda known trichomicterid (Fam Trichomicteridae or parasitic catfishes), which grows to 150 mm TL and luminates its way. The light is produced by luminous
Ribeiro from Mato Grosso, which was synonomized with P. pulcher from Ecuador...). 7. Ituglanis cf. amazonicus a trichomicterid catfish or parasitic catfish. bacteria on its gill cover and helps this night active catfish to find its prey and food. Photophores (light organs) are well studied under marine (Lantern
8. Lepthoplosternum beni was only recently described (1997) bei Reis.It grows hardly more than 5 cm SL. 9. The are several still unidentified Pimelodus sp. and Flashlight) fishes, but to my knowlege never with freshwater species. I was able to find such light organs present in several Amazonian catfish species
in the Guaporé system. 10. Also Otocinclus caxarari was only recently described (1997) by Schaefer from the area of Guajará-Mirim. But it is very similar to and in some characoids as well. 15-17. At least 10 Corydoras species have been described from the Guaporé, including the well known C. sterbai, C. harald-
O. vittatus and also to O. mura (the latter from the upper Amayon), hard to tell the 3 species apart. schultzi, C. caudimaculatus, C. guapore, C. geryi and others, but there are still quite a few undescribed species and/or variants like the four shown below.
8 9 10 15 16 17
But am I telling you all of this? Simply so Rio Marmoré, the name of its left hand
because in South America, and possibly affluent coming from Bolivia) we find
from what I have seen in 162 countries more than 22 cataracts and waterfalls and
world-wide – the Guaporé, is the most these are a natural barrier. Therefore
gigantic tropical freshwater aquarium on many species of fishes and plants are en-
planet Earth. The amazing amount of demic and cannot found anywhere else
aquatic plants here, is just breathtaking, including a freshwater dolphin species
and the fish species I was able to record (Ina boliviensis). But I want the pictures
so far in this gigantic “aquarium” of clear to talk about this unique and beautiful
water (one can see below the water sur- natural aquarium. Explain along with the
face up to 20 metres, and more) reaches photos more details about the environ-
by now close to 500. That is roughly ment and the habitats: how fishes and
twice as many species as in all of Europe plants live in each biotope. Something to
– and this in a single, hardly 100 brought learn from, how an authentic biotope
river. The Guaporé is approximately should, and can be, if transferred to our
1,700 km long and flows into the Rio home aquarium as in nature. If you can
Madeira, the largest affluent of the archive that, you will enjoy an aquarium
mighty Amazon River. But in the lower even more…
Guaporé (some call at its lower course al-
Above: Inia bolivianum is the most pink of all the three known Inia species and endemic to the Guaporé-
Marmoré-system. Here a photo while this wild pink freshwater dolphin was playing with me under water
in the Guaporé near Vila Bela.
Right: Under such growth of Eichhornia and in between their floating roots, are normally in the Guaporé
hundreds of fishes, almost unbelieveable the fish-biomass in this river. In one occasion I counted 47
different species per square meter floating Eichhornia and in their roots. And it is normal to have
hundreds of dwarf cihlids (Apistogrammas) in the net (insert).
1 The affluents of the Guaporé-Iténez-river are in part up to this day completely unexplored – virgin
rainforest like the one above. Unfortunately from the nine indian tribes and thausends of indians,
which once lived along the river only a few, less than 300, are still alife and must stay on a tiny piece
of land under the protection on the Funai, the Brazilian Indian Organization (1-2). I visted the indian
village of the tribe Cabixi, but they have become extinct. Caboclos live there now, thez gave me some
fish to eat (3). In one affluent I found an interesting new underwater moos (4). Certainly good for the
aquarium – the natural underwater garden, as in nature. Holger was trying to collect Echinodorus
species – mother plants – and almost drownd (5). Ottelia brasiliensis in flower (6).
4 5 6
2 3
INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM Rio Guaporé Rio Guaporé INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM
1 7
1. Leporinus bleheri was described after I found it in 1999 in a left hand affluent of the Guaporé, in the Rio Verde. It is a beautiful anostomid species 7. Two different species? Yes. Laemolyta proxima (left) and L. taeniata (right – note the red mouth, which only L. taeniata in the Guaporé has it).
for a rock-aquarium, decorated with some hardy plants, white sand and driftwood. This peaceful species grows rarely to 15 cm TL and lives in waters This is a perfect mimikry. But both are very peaceful aquarium fishes, only if not nutritioned enough, they might nibble on some new plant leaves,
with slight flow at pH of 6.0-7.5 and relatively soft water, below 100 microsiemens, temperatures of 22 up to 30°C, as all other species below. so it is better to have tougher plants in the aquarium with these two anostomid species.
2 3 8 9
10
5
4 6 11 12
2. Leporinus affinis is another anostomid good for the general Guaporé-aquarium, but this one might eat the new leaves of aquaric plants, 8-9. These two bottom dwelling characoids belong to the familiy Characidiidae (except for one recent author, who places them in to the family, the
if not feed properly. It normally has 9-10 bands. 3. An undefined third Leporinus species with beautifil yellow pelvic, pectoral and anal fin, Crenuchidae, although the latter have swimblader, which are absent in Characidiidae).They are wide speard over South America and more than
and a central black spot. 4. Less peacefill and definately a piscivore preadtor, is Acestrorhynchus falcatus. A fish that is nice, but only an aquarium 60 species are known. Characidiidae are nice and very peacefull aquarium fishes, which should always be kept in small groups of at least three –
with large fishes, as those he will not attack nor eat. 5. Flounders are not only living in marine habitats but there are several species or more.10. Another group fish is the black tetra. Gymnocorymbus ternetzi – great aquarium dweller from the Guaporé which occupies normally the
found in Amazonian freshwaters (and elsewhere worldwide), most of those unclassified, as the ones from the Guaporé. mid-waters. 11-12. Also Cichlasoma boliviense (left) and Chaetobranchopsis australis (right) are very peaceful and both of these cichlid species
6. Pterygoblichthys cf. gibbiceps (Liposarcus by some) is another beauty for any aquarium. stay relatively small (max. 12 cm SL).
INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM Rio Guaporé Rio Guaporé INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM
1 8
9 10
4 5
2 3
11
6 7
1. Hemiodus microlepis from the Guaporé is an open water dweller and needs a larger aquariums, also must be kept in groups of at least four to six.
2-3. Hatchet fishes like Gasteropelecus sternicla (2) and Carnegiella strigata (3) are always near the surface and must be feed at the surface, as they will not feed
from mid-water nor the bottom.Also they are schooling fishes and should always be kept in groups of 6 (at least) or more. 4-7. Apistogrammas are found in large
numbers (and several undescribed species) in the Guaporé and should be kept as well in small groups, specially A. trifasciata. Two species which belong to the Above four typical biotope aquariums of the Guaporé river system, from different habitats. As mentioned (and partly shown), there are plenty of aquatic plants
A. trifasciata-complex, but certainly new (similar) species, are shown here (4-5). Another unidentified Apistogramma (6), but close to A. commbrae, is this very – always with white sand, rarely drift wood and hardly ever rocks or gravel. The variety of plants from such habitats may consits of Echinodorus (16 species),
high body form also from the Guaporé region. And laest but not least is A. macilienis, another Mato Grosso beauty. Note: All of these, and many more species Limnophila indica, Hygrophila guianensis, Tonina fluviatilis and species of Alternantera, Cabomba, Cyperus, Hydrocotyle, Hydrocleys, Heteranthera,
(shown on past pages), can be kept very well together in an authentic biotope aquarium (for samples see next page). Eichhornia, Eleocharis, Ludwigia, Egeria, Najas, Potamogeton, Sagittaria platyphylla and more.
Lao
ASIA Lao Lao ASIA
ASIA Lao Lao ASIA
the end of the 2 km long bridge that 38°C in the shade; the 1
crosses the Mekong to Vientiane, the ox-carts laden with fire-
capital of Lao, and then you have to wood rapidly disappeared
wait for the bus that takes you across in the clouds of dust. If all
the Mitraphap (Friendship) Bridge to went well then we might
the actual border crossing. Here I had yet make it to the region
endured a further wait, before handing bordering Campuchea -
over the visa I had obtained in despite my friend’s warn-
Lao
Nongkhai the week before, filling in ing of the dangers in-
more forms, and, two hours later, final- volved - and then to Viet-
ly receiving my entry permit... nam in the east.
Meanwhile Peter Frech, my travelling Our accommodation in
companion on a number of expeditions, Pakse, formerly the
and Hermann Kunz, an aquatic dealer French town of Bassac
from Memmingen in Germany, were and now the provincial
waiting patiently at the other end of the capital, had been perfect.
bridge, which was built by the Aus- We had stayed at the Resi-
tralians as recently as 1994, and is the dence du Champa a se-
only bridge across the Mekong in the cluded villa that was once
entire country. These friends had ar- the home of the governor
rived earlier, to start planning our expe- of the town, and had been
dition, and subsequently accompanied
me on the first part of my trip, through
southern Lao.
2
And now here I was, sitting in a
Japanese 4-wheel-drive pick-up with The vast Mekong inland delta lies
Yin, in Pakse (the story of the almost in the southernmost part of Lao’s
Champasak province, close to the
1,000 km journey, over sometimes hair- border with Kampuchea (2-4) and
raising dirt roads, from Vientiane to is called Siphandone (The 4000 Is-
Pakse, must wait for another time). My lands). Giant rocky massifs act as
companions had gone back to Ger- a natural brake on the mighty riv-
er. Almost innumerable large,
many, and the two of us were on our medium-sized, and small water-
way to the huge inland delta of the falls block the course of the
Khong, one of the mightiest rivers on Mekong, which narrows here to a
mere 20 km in width (appreciably
Earth, which the Lao call Mae Nam wider during the rainy season).
Khong, the mother of waters. The rest
of the world knows it as the Mekong.
3
The dust flew up around us, taking
forever to settle in the high humidity
and temperature of
Lao: Mountain ranges, unspoiled nature, picturesque waterfalls. Exotically-clad people of various races,
including little-known mountain tribes. A land traversed by one of the 10 greatest rivers on earth, with
a huge inland delta and some 4,000 islands. A breathtaking constellation here on planet Earth, waiting
to be explored the moment borders were opened and visitors permitted. Outside its borders this
little-visited country is known world-wide as Laos, a name which originated in a misinterpretation
of the name given it by the French, long ago. They called the region Les Laos (plural), referring to
the Laotian kingdoms of the past. But the people of this land-locked realm call themselves,
and their country, Lao, now as in the past.
B
Text and Photos by Heiko Bleher
øøjj Pen Njang” (it doesn’t mat- speaks English, likewise French, de- losophy of life, “Never lose patience”.
ter) replied Yin, my driver, in re- spite the presence of the French from Normally my view as well, though I Huge masses of turbulent muddy-brown water tumble 21 metres or
sponse to my “Khooi Bøø Paak 1893 until 1954. The phrase “Bøø Pen had come close to doing so in the 4 more over the cliffs. Two of the many waterfalls are famous: the Khong
Phaasaa Lao” (I don’t speak the Lao Njang” says a lot about the people who course of entering the country. Phapheng (4), which translates as "Roar of the Mekong", is the largest
in Asia. The second largest is the Li Phi (2), also known as the
language), an omission I would have to live along the mighty Mekong river. It The taxi from the Thai border town of Somphamit or Khon Nyai. In addition further inland, near the border with Vietnam, are
rectify while here, as hardly anyone virtually exemplifies the Laotian phi- Nongkhai has to stop at the terminus at innumeral very high waterfalls (1 – and left-hand page).
40 Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquarium Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquaria 41
ASIA Lao Lao ASIA
converted into a splendid auberge a which enveloped us in a cloud. Merci- The story of this son of a Venetian ed with important missions to other elephants...with hair like waterbuffalo head resembles that of a wild boar and
few years previously. The proprietor, fully there were hardly any other motor merchant is enough to take one’s breath places, and once journeyed as far as Pa- (which do not have much!), feet like the animal always carries it lowered to-
Boualamphone Somphonxay, was kind- vehicles. And tourists were out of the away. Together with his father and un- gan, in Myanmar. It was on this jour- elephants, and a thick black horn in the wards the ground....and enjoys wallow-
ness personified - he organised a veh- question - the southerly distribution of cle, he made a “Grand Tour” of Asia ney into the land of the Karen that he centre of the front part of the head... the ing in mud...” My researches suggest
icle, maps, information, and driver Yin, that species terminates at Pakse! And lasting many years, travelling as far as became the first European to cross the that Marco was describing a sub-
as there are no hire cars here. I as I thought about these sometimes the land of Kublai Khan and the latter’s Mekong. His itinerary ran from Khan- 7 species of the Javan rhinoceros (Rhi-
thanked him gratefully upon my depar- strange creatures, it suddenly occurred summer residence at Shang-tu (in mod- balik (now Beijing) through the whole noceros sondaicus annamiticus), long
ture, which was not without regret. to me that the first “tourist” to visit this ern Mongolia). His 17-year stay at the of southwest China, then northern since extinct. Despite the introduction
There was good reason to be ambiva- part of the world must have been Mar- court of the mighty Khan is no less in- Lao, and finally into the former Bur- of the first measures to protect rhinos
lent about leaving, for ahead of us lay co Polo! teresting, as he was frequently entrust- ma, returning via a somewhat more at the turn of the century, human greed
not only primeval forest and southerly route. subsequently led to the total disap-
grassland, but also - a tent! 2 I recalled a passage in his book Di- pearance of this (and other) sub-
My teeth were grinding on visament dou Monde, which appeared species. The price of powdered rhino
the dust from the wagons of in 1301, where he mentions Chamba, horn on the world market, higher even
firewood coming up from a kingdom of many elephants. than that of opium, overshad-
the southern border zone, 1 He also relates the story of his
8
owed all other considerations.
return to Europe, which took 2 Today only small fragmentary
3 years, wherein he writes “Locac populations of the Java rhino
- a pleasant and wealthy country survive, totalling just 50 indi-
(on the mainland), with its own viduals despite all attempts at
king. Its people are heathens, conservation and breeding. It
have their own language, and is the rarest and most endan-
pay tribute to no-one. The coun- gered mammal in the world!
try is so isolated that no-one can A second Italian, the Fran-
come there to do them ill... “ (It ciscan monk Odoric, from
must have been the huge water- Pordone in Friuli (see ag 15,
falls of the Mekong inland delta Lago di Cornino), travelled to
that prevented any shipping Asia between about 1318 and
from travelling up from the sea) 1330, and, like Marco Polo
“They also have elephants”, he before him, mentions Cham-
continues, “and many deer”. All pa. In fact Champa was the
4 this accords exactly with Lao at land of the Cham, like the
that time. Khmer an Australasian peo-
For his journey home to Venice ple, who held sway for more
the Khan gave Marco 14 large than a thousand years along
junks with a crew totalling 250, the coat of Vietnam and in-
in return for which he was to land as far as the southern
convey a new wife from Cathay part of Lao, the modern
to Arghun, the king of Persia, en province of Champasak.
Marco Polo is thought to have been the first European to travel across what is now route. After the embarkation at Champa is a common name in
Lao and the Mekong. The Franciscan monk Odoric, from Pordone in Friuli, Italy Ch’uan-chou, the junks sailed the region (for villages,
(1286-1331) wrote, in his travel memoirs of circa 1330, about Champa and its 200 along the coast of China and squares, streets, and houses -
kings. In the 16th century the Portugese travelled up the "Mother of Rivers" as far
as Vientiane (capital of today’s Lao), followed in the 17th by a Dutchman, Gerhard past mainland Indo-China. That including the governor’s resi-
van Wuystoff, but the real start of the exploration of Lao began with a Frenchman, he paused here is suggested by dence), but not in Sumatra,
Francis Garnier. The first map showing the "mecon R." area, was made by Duval the following extract: “...num- which is where the entire lit-
5
circa 1670 – he called the region India Extra Gangem. In 1755 Danville drew a map of
"Further India", and for the first time mentioned the "Kingdom of Lao"(1). Today erous unicorns almost as large as erature hitherto has sought to
Lao presents itself
differ-ent, a coun- 6 9 Impressions of the southern part of Lao, and 10
try bordered by 5 the road to it: Ox-carts are (still) the
countries, without commonest form of transport in Lao (7).
access to the sea Lao food in general is appetising looking,
(2). The photos however, it is this rather less attractive
3-4 temples and gruel – duly mixed with live maggots –
colonial houses in that is also eaten....(8). There is still little
the capital city, public transport in Lao, though there are
5-6 the border buses for long journeys, even if they are
crossing between mostly converted lorries (9). New bridges are
Nong-khai and being built across the tributaries of the
Vientiane, and Mekong, however, to replace the ferries
the Friendship there. Lorries carrying the lumber,
Bridge (5). clear felt in the south (10).
ASIA Lao Lao ASIA
locate the Chamba of Marco Po- Huen Nam Sai. Women sucking stream”!), whose edges were became narrower, all the time taking us
lo and the Champa of Odoric! were washing, and laughing lined with Barclaya rotundifolia. I further away from the “Mother of all
(Yet again ag makes a contribu- children jumping into the jumped in without further ado, and Rivers”. Suddenly a vast panorama
tion to the unravelling of old water from the large rocks. I could not understand why my legs sud- spread out in front of us: the inland
records!) found some small fishes denly started to hurt like hell while I delta and its thousands of islands, and,
But these early Europeans had near the bank, and before was fishing. As if something was suck- in their midst, the largest, Don Khong.
merely “crossed” the Lao re- long I was in the refreshing ing at them! Which was in fact the Here and there huge rocks, carved by
gion. It was a Frenchman, Fran- water, turning it red with case. About 20 bright green leeches the mighty waters of the Mekong,
cis Garnier, who has gone down dust.... with yellow longitudinal stripes were poked out of the muddy yellow flood.
in history for exploring it prop- The hand-net soon pro- sucking blood from my nice hairy legs! Time seemed to stand still.
erly, together with his 4 com- duced a labyrinth fish (a Tri- Yin, who was looking down from the Yin jumped out of the pick-up and The barely 5 million inhabitants of Lao are
devided in (4) large ethnic “families”
panions. He was the driving chopsis sp. with an anterior bridge high above, was laughing him- spoke with a long-boat man, haggling made up of a total of 119 different tribes
force of the expedition of the mid-lateral band), a goby self half silly. I had a terrible job to over the cost of transporting me and and some live very remote, almost
Commission for the Exploration (Eleotridae), a halfbeak prise these almost 20 cm long little my baggage. Soon we were slowly isolated, like the Alak (left).
But all are very friendly,
of the Mekong (1866-68), (Belonidae), a small monsters free, leaving an awful mess - crossing the water, against the back- like the girl above.
which started out from Saigon cyprinid (Puntius sp.), and good-sized holes and blood every- drop of a fantastic orange-red sunset
on 5th June 1866. Another story pipefishes (Syngnathidae). where, which attracted even more of behind serried coconut palms growing scene gave him a new impetus, for he
of adventure which is well The water was extremely nevertheless continued with his ardu-
worth reading. soft (conductivity just 24 ous expedition, which lasted a further
While I was lost in the past, µS/cm) and acid (pH 5.5), two years, although one of his 5 com-
the road had become noticeably and while atmospheric tem- panions turned back earlier. The
worse. Potholes made by perature was more than 28° leader himself succumbed to the hard-
bogged-down lorries made for- Celsius in the shade, the ships of the journey, and died; and
ward progress difficult, and the cool water was only 24.5°C. another member of the party fell so ill
differential of the Japanese The bottom was carpeted in that he too departed this life shortly
FWD kept bottoming while the a very small rooted aquaric after his return to France.
trucks rumbled by. Fallen trees plant. Unfortunately all the It was Francis Garnier who also as-
and branches made things plants we collected died. certained where the source of the
worse. “Not exactly a race- More equally beautiful Mekong lay, and that it is more than
track”, thought I. Then, at last, rivers followed: the Ban 4,350 km long, rising on the Tibetan
the first small, clear, riv- Nizier, Huey Mesang, plateau in China, where it is known
1 6 11 as the Lancang Jiang (Turbulent
er, some 5-8 metres Huey Nam Say, and
wide and only 1-1.5 then the Huay Wat Flood), before flowing for almost
deep; it was called the (which means “blood- 1900 km across Lao, as the Mae Nam
Khong; first of all along the border
with Myanmar and then that of Thai-
Live in the market: 1) Mystus mysticetus (8-13 cm); land, marking the boundary for more
2 7 12
Everyday life: the men go 2) Paralaubuca barroni than 1500 km. After descending over
off hunting or fishing, the (7-8 cm);
women and children go to 3) above Macrognathus them! It was difficult to believe that on little islands that reminded me of the the largest waterfalls in Asia, it con-
the market. Here is a maculatus (?) (28 cm) and this lovely water could be infested with South Seas. Had it not been for the put- tinues its journey as the Tonle Thom
glimpse of the vast selection M. siamensis (8-30 cm),and leeches, but they came darting towards tering of the outboard shattering the (Great Water), crossing Campuchea
of goods for sale in the below Xenentodon cancila (?)
markets of the south. (15 up to 40 cm); me like arrows aimed at a mark. I was stillness, I might have imagined myself where its waters are augmented, al-
The fruits are mostly local, 3 8 13 4) introduced carp (Cyprinus out of there like a shot. By now Yin Francis Garnier back in the last century. beit indirectly by, inter alia, the 2nd
from the forest (top). carpio) (50 cm); was doubled up... Little else had changed... largest inland sea on the continent,
There is a virtually limitless 5) introduced Oreochromis the Tonle Sap. At last, in southern
selection of Phak Hom and niloticus (14-25 cm); Further upstream, where the river was I tried hard to imagine the disappoint-
Phak (green and other 6) Clarias batrachus (20-50 cm slowly drying up, there were ranks of ment he must have felt, on the one Vietnam, the Cuu Long (Nine Drag-
vegetables), most of them or more); Barclaya and Cryptocoryne, apparently hand, when he realised that his ambi- ons) enters the China Sea via its huge
unfamiliar to visitors from 7) Monopterus albus (?) delta.
overseas. This applies equally (30-100 cm); stricken with the so-called “Cryptoco- tion of finding a shortcut to China
to the fish, apart from 4 9 14 8) Ophisternon bengalensis (?) ryne rot”, and their leaves all dying. could never be fulfilled, and that the “Everything in this country is huge”,
the introduced exotics – (40-100 cm); This discovery demonstrated that this mighty Mekong offered no alternative wrote Garnier when he first set foot
sheer lunacy given the wealth 9) Belodontichthys dinema
problem has nothing to do with aquari- passage to the sea route. When he in Lao. “The waterfalls are between 7
of native fish in the (50-100 cm);
river (there is virtually no 10) Hemibagrus nemurus (20- um conditions, but is simply a case of stood before the immense Khong and 8 miles wide, and the river at
aquaculture). A brief 70 cm); the old leaves dying off before the river Phaphong falls, all his dreams came to least 12 miles from shore to shore,
catalogue of the food fishes 11) aqua-tic scorpion (family
dries up completely. When the rains nought. with innumerable islands.” He con-
(many used to be, or still 5 10 15 Nepidae);
are, excellent aquarium 12) a huge selection of frogs; come the plants grow back - another of On the other hand, I am sure he must tinues: “The number of people, their
fishes), with length range, 13) snakes, varanus, and Mother Nature’s miracles. She has have felt as astonished, and have been garments, the highly cultivated region
plus other creatures: squirrels; 14) owls; and thought of everything. left as speechless, as I now was. And and the forests, are all outsize.”! And
15) native rod-ents.
All are eaten. Lost in thought, I watched as the road perhaps this unique and breath-taking that was my experience too, wherever
44 Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquarium Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquaria 45
ASIA Lao Lao ASIA
The men catchnormally larger fish (13),
and/or build fish-traps (11-12), and take 15
the latter to the chosen site. They use the
traps to catch fishes like the giant
freshwater rays (6), Himantura
chaophraya (which can weigh up to 600
kg), or large freshwater "sharks"
(Labeos) such as the black Morulius
chrysophekadion (up to 60 cm – not
shown). But also small cyprinids such as
Para-lau-buca barroni (8) and P. typus (9
female and 10 is a male), as well as gobies,
Papuligobius ocellatus (5), snails (7), and
1 freshwater shrimps.
In the country rice-growing and

fishing provide the daily bread:
while young girls catch fish in
the rice fields (1-2), the women
are busy with larger nets in the
inundation zone along
2 the Mekong (3-4). 4
5 6 7
8 9 10
Lao was formerly known as the "Land of the Million Ele-p-hants", as testified by old
11 12 13 14 paintings and stone carvings (left). Nowa-days only a few pac-hyderms remain,
and are put to work (above).
ASIA Lao Lao ASIA
1 2 3 16 17 18
Hemibagrus cf. microphthalmus. This beauty is also simi- Hemibagrus cf. microphthalmus, possibly a new species Hemibagrus wyckioides is known to grow to 95 cm SL and Hemibagrus filamentus. It is one of the “smaller” bagrids Mystus cf. wolffii. It is said to be found only below the wa- Mystus aff. singaringan. Another Mystus, but with a very
lar to H. wyckioides, but has all fins blood red and the adi- with such blood-red fins (detail left). Only good for large can weigh up to 80 kg. Normally its fins are transparent, in the Mekong grows only to about 50 cm. Feeds on crus- terfall in Kampuchea, but it seems to be the same species large adipose fin. Very intersting peaceful aquarium fish
pose with a red seam vs. a red or a redish tail. aquariums, although it does not grow as large. only its tail is rose or redish coloured. taceans and small fishes. up here. Grows only to about 25 cm. which grows hardly over 25 cm.
4 5 6 19 20 21
Hemibagrus wyckii. This must be one of the most (if not Hemibagrus wyckii, its mouth is made to kill, it penetrates Hemibagrus nemurus. Another one of the larger catfishes Clarias batrachus, juvenile. It grows only to about 45 cm, Pangasius conchophilus, adult. This unusual pangasid can Laides longibarbis. Little is known about this strange
the most) aggressive freshwater fishes it will even kill ita like an arrow and opens up terrible wounds i his prey. from the Mekong, also aggressiv, but by far not as much but can leave the water to migrate over land to other wa- look down and grows to about 130 cm. It feeds onn schilbeid catfish. It grows hardly over 15 cm TL, has a red
partner. Only to be kept alone in an aquarium. That is a fish that grows to 75 cm (but rarely). as H. wyckii. ter bodies using its auxiliary breathing organs. prawns, insects and particularly mollusks, no fish. eye and is a peaceful midwater catfish.
7 8 9 22 23 24
Hemibagrus nemurus. Formerly this species was collected Ompok bimaculatus. adult a more in midwater swimming Micronema micronemus – is a very peculiar looking catfish Danio cf. acrostomus. This Danio was only recently de- Labiobarbus siamensis. Nice aquarium fish up to 20 cm Henicorhynchus cryptopogon. Another smaller (less
in sizes up to 65 cm long, but rarely now. catfish, which can grow up to 50 cm and feeds on from the Mekong (also found in Kapuas). It can grow over 50 scribed from the Nam Leuk and is to grow up to 7.7 cm. length, that lives in midwater to bottom and feeds on phy- than 15 cm) peaceful and beautiful aquarium fish with
vegetable matter, crustaceans and mollusks. cm. (Placed in Kryptopterus by some.) This one I found much further in the south of Lao. toplankton benthic algae and some zooplankton. a remarkable pelvic fin colour.
10 11 12 25 26 27
Micronema micronemus. The mouth of this unusual catfish Bagarius yarrelli. A bottom dwelling catfish, that has very Bagarius yarrelli. Its mouth is large enough to swallo Hampala macrolepidota. A beautiful cyprnid when small, Gyrinocheilus pennockii. This algae eater (and it is very Garra cambodgiensis. Another Mekong-beauty is this,
– also a midwater dweller found in muddy water (like the unusual barbels, they are fixed – not flexible. A giant bot- smaller fishes (and when it grows large, also larger onces it reaches maturity most of the red disappears and good at it) can grow up to almost 30 cm. It is endemic in rarely exported, algae and phytoplankton eating cypri-
others). But its food is vegetable matter. tom-catfish that can grow to 200 cm length. ones...), but feeds mainly on aquatic invertebrates. part ofvthe black band. Size: up to 60 cm. the Mekong and hardly exported. nid. The stripe is golden over green. Size: to 15 cm
13 14 15 28 29 30
Bagarius yarrelli. Although it grows large, it is rare to be Wallago attu. This is one (if not the) largest mid-water Wallago attu. Also this catfish has a very large mouth, Yashuhikotakia sp. A fantastic, probably new, loach – Yashuhikotakia sp. The colours were so striking that I Syncrossus aff. helodes.Also this loach has much brighter
found on markets, as its felsh is fibrous. Good for larger catfishes, can grow up to a length of 250 cm.It is a Bites strongly if handled, with its huge mouth, has for- emerald green with bright red fins. On this photo the thought immedately that this one is different from Y. mod- (unseen) colours and looks different. It grows also less,
aquariums preadtory catfish only for giant aquariums. midable jaws, with a band of conical teeth. spine over the eye is visible (defense-organ). esta known from this area. Size is less than 20 cm. about 20 cm in length.
ASIA Lao Lao ASIA
1 2 3 16 17 18
Pristolepis fasciatus. The perch-like fish belongs to the Rasbora borapetensis. Very nice aquarium fish, here with a Rasbora cf. paucisqualis. This is an even smaller cyprinid, Notopterus notopterus. This is a montypic genus. Only a Chitala ornata. This is the most popular of the knife fish- Chitala cf. blanci. This species I found, does not have the
family Nandidae (Asian leaffishes). It is a peaceful, algae redish tail colour. Grows hardl to 6 cm and is nice in small it hardly ever reaches 4 cm. Nice yellow fins and also a single species is know. Is also partly predator (grows 50-60 es, and more frequently found in aquariums. But it also black spot and a different tail pattern! Is it a new species?
and plant material eating fish that grows to 20cm. groups. small group fish. cm long) with a very brought ditribution. can grow to 100 cm (in a large aquarium). Definately not ornata nor the silver C. lopis.
4 5 6 19 20 21
Macrognathus aff. meklongensis. It is a small spiny eel, Macrognathus siamensis. This spiny eel grows a little larg- Monotrete aff. turgidus. Probably an undescribed species, Chitala cf. blanci. Detail of the completely different tail Chitala cf. blanci. Also in the juvenile stage it shows the Xenentodon aff. cancila. This needle fish can grow uo to 45
that is only known from the Meklong river, and grows less er, up to 30 cm, and feeds as well on insect larva, crus- with a beautiful red eye and totally freshwater – may grow pattern of this, probably undescribed, species. And all this typical tail pattern and no black spot (which are found cm, Good for large aquariums but definately needs small
than 20 cm in length. taceans and worms. to 20 cm. speciemens I collected had such a pattern. in C. blanci in such a stage). fish to feed.
7 8 9 22
Resuming: There are said to be more than 1200 different fish species in the Mekong and its tributaries, and the
number is undoubtedly far greater still. After I had travellled the region several times and conducted my researches,
I put the number at closer to 2000.
During the short period of my last
visit I was able to collect almost 500
different species. Tyson Roberts, the
well-known American ichthyologist,
has recently discovered 94 new
species in a single tributary (how
many undescribed species were
Trichopsis schalleri. This variant has very bright T. vittata. There must be quite a variety of colour morphs Channa aff. orientalis, juvenile. The snakeheads are still included in my collection, I cannot
say as of today). These pages show Zenarchopterus cf. dunckeri. This halfbeak I found up
colours.The ones in the hobby never show such colours, within this species (see also following pages), which can not classified very well. There are several dwarf varieties from the waterfall, that is has no connection to the Sea. It
but all are very small – up to 3.5 cm. grow up to 7 cm. and surely this is one of them, as C. bleheri. just a glimpse – less than 10% of
the species I found in the inland is purely freshwater and probably undescribed.
10 11 12 delta and the tributaries.
About the aquatic fauna of Lao virtually nothing has been published, or is, indeed, known, about the
swamp and aquatic plants. There are, of course, overlaps with the Thai flora, but, as with the fishes,
there are endemic species as well, some of them as yet undetermined. 23) This crystal clear river was
called (in translation) "Bloodsucker Stream", or so my driver told me
later on; 24-25) possibly a Hygrophila species, notable for growing
both submerse and emerse; 26) and one creek was covered with
Barclaya longifolia...
Channa cf. gachua. This snakehead species (if it is gachua) Ambassis kopsii. It is a realatively small glassfish, with less Parambassis wolffii. This larger growing glassfish, up to 20
stays also small, No more than 20 cm in length. Very in- than 10 cm long and a remarkable black dorsal tip. It has cm, has already in its juvenile stage an iridiscent spot on
tertsing and beautiful aquarium fishes. a wide distribution in freshwater. the head (insert), for what porpose?
24
13 14 15
25
Chitala blanci. They call them featherbacks or knifefishes Chitala blanci. This species can be recognized by theblack Chitala blanci. It is a night active predator, that eats fish 23
and this species can grow to 120 cm. spot at base of pectoral fin and its tail pattern. and crustaceans. Only good for large aquariums. 26
ASIA Lao Lao ASIA
I went: whether it were the river, the the stockmarket crash will have by now criminal. Man seems never to learn...
unbelievable wealth of fishes for the have wiped this lunatic project off the I promise that before long I will tell
aquariums is almost second to none, schedule). In much the same way there you more about this still fascinating
the friendliness of the people, or the are plans to open up the other dream- country. In the meantime, let me leave
peace and quiet. I felt as if I was world I visited later, on the border with you with the last words of Louis de
dreaming. Vietnam, where the native tribes re- Carne, the original leader of the first
By now the sun had set. I was sitting main almost unaffected by the world Mekong expedition, spoken before he
on the terrace of the wooden inn - the outside, and to build 8 new hydro-elec- died as a result of the hardships of the
only inn - on Don Khong - and I was tric dams there - madness beyond com- journey: “The life of a man has no val-
the only guest. Not even the Emperor pare. The finest and most unspoiled ue except in proportion as he has
of China was better cared for, in his (and probably the last) primary forest learned to contemn it by rising above
day. The food consisted of fresh-caught in Asia will vanish. Already heavily it. To be devoted, is truly to live; to be
fish which slipped easily down my laden lorries are carting it away, day devoted to the end, is to live beyond
throat, while giant geckos gobbled up and night, to Thailand, as the Thais it.” The words and photos on the fol-
the vermin. Everything was hunky have long since burned all their forests lowing pages
dory. and have to buy wood from the sur-
The next day the weather was glori- rounding countries. The photos show
ous and I caught and photographed waterfalls which are not to be found on 5
hundreds of species of fish, each as in- any map or in any travel guide. It was
teresting and colourful as the rest. worth travelling halfway round the
Everything I needed for my photo- world to Lao just to see this spectacle
graphic tank was laid on, whether it alone. To destroy all this would be
was water or a towel. These pages
show a small sample of the fish fauna
of this splendid biotope, together with a Almost half the country is still forested, a large
selection of the aquatic flora. part of it virgin primary forest (the spectrum
includes evergreen dry forest, tropical evergreen
I was able to spend only 4 days by the montane forest, mixed and deciduous woodland,
Khong, but I promised myself I would and subtropical and subalpine forest) as well as
return. And quickly too, as Thailand is pineforests. Unfortunately here, as eleswhere, 6
felling is non-stop. Every day huge lorries laden
planning to turn this paradise into a gi- with precious tropical hardwoods roll away
ant tourist centre, with golf courses, from the south (the most heavely forested area)
casinos, hotels, etc (though hopefully towards Thailand.
The neighbours buy it all.

There are said to be over than 8300 species of
8
plants, more than 1500 of them threatened with
extinction. 100 species of orchids (photos 1-3, 5, 7,
and large photo), mostly epiphytic on lofty trees,
which, of course, are the first to fall to the chain-
2 3 4 saw. For example, the Mekong Commission Expe-
dition of 1866 collected and saw huge numbers of
these wonderful pink orchids (5, and large photo).
I found just one specimen of this species during
my entire trip through the south. On these two
pages we see a small selection of species, many of
them not yet known to science!
INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM Lao Lao INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM
1 2 8 9
3 4 10 11
5 6 12 13
7
For a biotope aquarium of Lao, or even biotopes from small Thailand-
Malaysia (peninsula) some suggestions:
7. Acanthocobitis sp. (undescribed), is a peaceful bottom
dwelling small (up to 6 cm) loach.
14
1. Trichopsis vittata (here again another colour form from Lao). As it 8. Danio fangfangae, can grow to 7 cm total length and lives
takes atmospheric air it should have a shallow habitat and definately near the surface.
floating plants to build its nest. 9. Rasbora hobelmani, is a peaceful rasborine which grows up to 5 cm.
2. Barbonymus altus is a herbivorous peaceful smaller cyprinid (8-15 10. Raimas guttatus, another peaceful, bottom oriented,
cm) and dwells in midwater, in small groups. cyprinid that may grow up to 30 cm.
3. Hampala dispar, adult. Its nice juvenile (reddish)colour 11. Parambassis wolffii, adult, is a peaceful glassfish, very different,
disappears with the age, but is still a good peaceful fish for such a decorative and easy to keep (need nor salt – is pur freshwater).
aquarium. 12. Ospronemus exodon is another peaceful labyrinth fish
4. Osteochilus hasseltii, has a very beautiful colour pattern here in the (endemic to the Mekong), but it may grow up to 60 cm
Mekong. A peaceful fish that can grow to 27 cm. (in large aquariums only).
5. Mystacoleucus atridorsalis, a peculiar peaceful small (up to 6 cm) 13. Ompok bimaculatus may also grow in large aquariums up to 45 cm
midwater barb. and is also peaceful (eats also vegetable matter and crustaceans).
6. Parachela maculicauda, peacefull midwater (smaller) group fish that 14. This beautiful goby Rhinogobius maculicervix stays small (4-5 cm)
grows only up to 5 cm. and preferres gravel-habitat.
INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM Lao Lao INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM
The very unusual fish, Polynemus paradiseus

(family Polinemidae), must be one of the most
sensational aquarium fishes, which I introduced
already in the mid 1970s. Recently is has become
popular again in the hobby (altough by some sold
as catfish...). Most scientific publications state that
this fish is marine, but I proved contrary: it is a
pur freshwater species (which may migrate to
brackish habitats). Important is, that it must have
plenty of free areas in the aquarium to swim freely
(and do never place it in a small aquarium). It
needs a good water circulation and daily food, like
bloodworms, crustaceans, invertebrates and the
like. It is a very active fish, that swims constantly
(never rests) and has a poor eye-site. Therefore in
evolution it has growen 16 dentacles, which serve
to search the bottom regions (the lower dentacles)
for objects that might be in its way, or food (but
hardly feeds on the bottom), and the others to
search around and on the top for the obstacles and
definately food. It is an open water fish, that
swims in most regions, but never stays on the bot-
tom for long. It is an amazing spectacle to
watch it and should be kept onlf ea few together,
unless the aquarium is very large.
Companions could some gobies, but in
general it is nice to appreciate this
magnificent fish by itself.
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AUSTRALASIA Indonesia Indonesia AUSTRALASIA
The Mamberamo forms the largest river system of the second largest island in the
world, and is situated in the northwestern part of New Guinea. Its western branch,
the Tariku (formely Rouffaer), is fed by the rivers Kano, Konda, and Kurogo,
which rise in the highlands of the Sudiram range. Its eastern arm is the river
named the Idenburg by the earlier Dutch colonists, which rises in the Jayawijaya
range and is called the Taritatus by the Indonesians. This river system, which is
more than 2000 km in length and only one of the least explored in the world, flows
into the Pacific in the northern part of Irian Jaya, Indonesia.
The first white man to visit the Mamberamo was a Dutchman, Captain Franssen
Herderschee (1872-1932), who sailed some 150 km up stream in 1907. Only a very
few adventurers and scientists followed in his foot steps, the last of them during
1930’s, and none of them penetrated as far as the Idenburg. In the 1950’s occasional
missionaries started to fly to the region, and later their numbers increased. Even to-
day there are only a few landing strips in the Mamberamo region, and where they do
exist they are mere clearings where the primeval forest has been felled by the natives,
and are used almost exclusively by the missionaries. There are no commercial flights,
and travel in or to the area is not permitted. The region has been suggested to become
Mamberamo
a National Park, the Mamberamo Foja, covering 1,661,000 hectares, and it would be
the largest protected zone in Indonesia. An absolute necessity to protect the more than
100 species of mammals, 330 species of birds, and almost inumberable, and largely
undiscovered, fishes and insects, almost all of them endemic.
The Mamberamo system harbours not only the majority of the lakes of Indonesia, but also the
largest, and the region constitutes the largest area of swamp on earth, the so-called
Lakes-Plains-Depression, even larger than the Pantanal in Mato Grosso province, Brazil.
The author, with the aid of bold Italian lady and two Japanese, was the first white man
(apart from the missionaries) to travel in this region since it was taken over by Indonesia in 1969.
Text and Photos by Heiko Bleher
Indonesia Indonesia
T
AUSTRALASIA AUSTRALASIA
he Twinotter finally took off at 11.55. 1 5 4
We four were the only paying passen-
gers. There were also a native, an In-
donesian, and 2 Polri (these policemen had
“Polres, Jayapura, Irian Jaya” embroidered on
their sleeves) to supervise us (?). The 2 Merpati
servants had come along simply to unload our
luggage – chests and boxes full of edibles, as
well as 5 sacks of rice, live hens, etc, etc - in
Dabra, our destination, as there are no ground
staff in the jungle of New Guinea.
1-2. Garunda flies to Jayapura – the captital of the
We flew over the beautiful Lake Sen- province Irian Jaya – three times a week. Its airport
tani, home of the salmon-red rainbow is located 60 km from the city, in a village called
fish, and it began to rain. What a nui- Sentani (2). 3-4. Jayapura does little for its rubbish,
it ends all in the creeks, below the housing (3),
sance. The 2 pilots attempted to avoid were people bath and have their toilette (4).
the wet by looping in a manner more ap- 5-8. The market is always the place to be, to see
propriate to display flying, and headed the local culture and produce (5). The main item
is the beetle nut (6), which is chued with shell-
for the shore. Soon we were above the powder that makes the mouth turn red (7).
clouds and I had only occasional They also sell introduced tilapias and goramys (8).
not on the police permit” was the reac- where were to obtain these? The airport
2 6
tion! And this was in fact true. The po- is 60 km from the town. Luckily the 7
lice in Jakarta had entered only “Jayapu- flight was running hours late and there
ra, Wamena, Biak” as permitted destina- were still two and a half hours before
tions on the entry permit bearing our 4 take-off. This was just enough time for a
passport photos. I almost had a heart at- 120 km round trip at break-neck speed in
tack! a taxi, which almost disintegrated as a
My friend Kamihata’s connections with result of the countless holes in the as-
a multi million dollar shrimp company phalt. Then, just before take-off, the offi-
had failed to have the desired effect. If cial came back to the noisy, overheated,
only I had dealt with the matter myself… little waiting room and said “The chief in
But the battle was at least half won command gave me strict orders that you
when we produced the second document, must report upon your return from Mam-
the “Surat Jalan” (travel permit from the beramo and that you must report in each
Ministry for Tourism) which included the village that you visit and deliver copies
entry “Sungai Mamberamo”, and using of your permit!”
all our powers of persuasion we man- While I was reminiscing about this and
aged to convince the officials. All that other adventures connected with this
was needed now was photocopies – but journey – I had spent more than 2 years
glimpses of the thick primary forest of 3 8 chasing back and forth between Sentani
the Van Rees mountains. and Germany in my unsuccessful at-
Yet again, as is so often the case at the tempts to obtain a permit – the plane
airport of Jayapura in Irian Jaya, check- broke through a bank of cloud and for
ing had been the occasion for much hair- the first time in 10 years I saw the
tearing! Right up to the last minute we mighty Mamberamo beneath me.
did not know whether we were actually It was a bumpy landing; we were flung
going to be allowed to fly. The security together in a heap with our luggage on
police arrived the moment we presented top as the pilot brought the crate to a halt
our tickets to Dabra. “Dabra?” came the exactly 3 metres from the edge of the
incredulous enquiry. tree-clad mountain! The grass runway,
“Mamberamo?” ditto! It was almost as which is only about 500 metres long,
if no white man had ever flown in that runs from the bank of the Mamberamo
direction. “Your permit!” were the next through the thickest primary forest on
words, and the papers it had taken us 6 earth. Our reception committee consisted
months of painstaking effort and not a mainly of Danis, who had made the 2
little sweat to obtain were examined with month trip on foot from their home in
a fine toothed comb. ”Mamberamo is the highlands. In addtion there were sol-
diers from Java, a doctor who had come long and afflicted with the very rare (in But just as I was about to pour out
1 10
from southern Sulawesi to work in the as nature) but typical rainbow fish disease. I the evening cup of tea a new escort
yet only half-built hospital, a man from made my way downstream from pool to arrived. This time it was the military
Ambon, and a mining expert from the pool, clambering over trees and rocks, chief of the region together with the
Freeport Mining Company in Manado, past splendid orange fungi growing on local native elders. These dignitaries
northern Sulawesi. We were undoubted- the rotten wood. In a small pool, 2 me- felt we had slighted them and want-
ly the first tourists to visit the Mamber- tres in diameter and overhung by a bush ed an explanation.
amo and everyone wanted to stare at and with yellow flowers and black fruits, I I repeated my speech for the
saw many Chilatherina sp. and soon had umpteenth time, and when I was yet
2 them in the net. again pressured to accept a military
10-13. In Dabra I found an Indonesian man called
They appeared to belong to the C. fas- escort for the journey along the Mamber- Hamaru, married to a native women, who said he
ciata group. Further along the stony path amo I refused to give in. My outburst ap- can build a boat for us to travel the Mamberamo,
there were glorious terrestrial orchids peared to have the desired effect, and it as not boat exists in this giant river system (except
for natives dugouts). And he began to the boat cun-
with spikes of small lilac flowers. A real remained only for me to make a declara-
struction that evening (10). Even while
feast for the eyes. tion to the effect that we would be re- traveling (11-13), he always added a piece to the
Back at Dabra our Dani guide led us sponsible for our own safety and that boat... 14. Often we got stuck, as the river
across a field of sweet potatoes to look they would not be held to blame if any bed is quite shallow, and that during rain...
for “lodgings”. Before long our guide of us should have an accident. They
wanted confirmation that they could

6-9. One native girl wanted to give us right away 11 wash their hands of us.
a welcome present, a tame bird (6). And another
touch us. Ringed by spectators, we were one this young New Guinea crocodile (7), the And the evening brought still more ex-
were led to the police station, a 5 metre endemic and protected Crocodylus novaeguineesis. citement; music, here in the deepest
Unfortunately, WWF, Cites, or any other primeval forest on earth. Until 3 o’clock
square plank-built barracks with a veran- organisation cares about the butchering (8)
da, where our travel papers were yet of the last crocodiles, has the natives have to do in the morning “Thriller” boomed out
again examined from back to front by it for the militaries, so they can sell it stuffed (9), over and over again from Dabraís one
or skins. and only cassette player, in the police
the assembled police. I noticed that at
most only one or two were actually able 6 headquarters! Even here Michael Jack-
to read. 3 son is a hit.
We were asked about the purpose of Shortly before sunrise we packed up
our journey and warned about the dan- and walked off through the mist to our
gers of travelling on the Mamberamo. boat, the only motor-driven vehicle on
We should do so only with a police the Mamberamo. Hamaru, a native of
escort. It was teeming with crocodiles southern Sulawesi, had agreed, after
and other hazards. The area was unin- much late night haggling, to hire us his
habited and they could offer no boat, inclusive of a 3 man crew and
guarantee of our safety. petrol, for 4 days for $800 in cash. It was
At about 1600 hours – some 5 hours af- 7 a stiff price, especially as the decking
ter our landing - we were finally “free”. I 4
needed a breath of fresh air, and went to said “Hospital” and mimed 13
look at the nearest small stream, in the sleeping! This sounded like a 12
forest at the end of the runway. A touch good idea.
of nature is always refreshing, especially The village doctor, a Ja-
after so much hassle. vanese, was kneeling on his
It was only a metre or two wide, but prayer mat facing in the direc-
ran in a stony bed more than 50 metres tion of Mecca. But before long
across, suggesting that during the rainy he was placing at our disposal
season incredible masses of water turned 8 his 8-roomed hospital, which
it into a raging torrent. The water in the 5 was lying idle without patients
channel was clear, often with strands of and beginning slowly to disin- 14
green algae waving to and from in the 1-2. Flying with a chartered plane to Dabra in the tegrate before it was even fin-
current. I spotted tadpoles and then the Mamberamo region (the only outpost) one can ished. It was as clean and bright
only see endless primary rainforest (1) and a giant
first fishes: gobies moving jerkily to and river sys-tem (2), but no sign of civilisation.
as a new pin. The floor had
fro among the round stones. They had 3-5. A civil aircraft (being very rare here) been scrubbed and disinfected,
splendid orange stripes and were possi- atracted all the natives and the few militaries, mosquito nets draped over the
who immediately asked for our special beds, and even nails hammered
bly an Oxyeleotris species. Then the first permits (5), which had taken me
rainbow fish; a member of the Melano- three years to get them... into the boards to act as
taenia affinis group! It was only 6 cm clothes-hooks. The service was perfect.
9
was not yet complete, the superstructure heavy loads on our backs. There are 10- 4 sides! Our half-finished “yacht” came the first man to walk on the surface the Mamberamo region to catch every tul Karong”) flew across the water, div-
was only half built, the air conditioning 20 metre broad mudflats on either side of chugged off upstream, towing a 6.5 me- of the moon. I had already established specimen they could lay hands upon! ing after fish and surfacing with their
and electric lighting had not yet been in- the Mamberamo, and in some places it is tre dug-out canoe with an additional out- that we were in truth the very first group This has resulted in the virtual extinction prey in their bills, and a white-bodied ea-
stalled, the catamaran was only tempo- more than 100 metres to the edge of the board motor. What more could we want? of tourists to visit the Mamberamo since of Crocodylus novaguineensis, as the na- gle (Haliasius indus, called “Elang Bon-
rary, and windows, beds, cabins, wash- forest. We finally reached the boat where The morning mists slowly began to the independence of Indonesia, and tives have for the first time come into dol” locally), snatched a fish from the
basins and toilet were still at the plan- Hamaru conjured up some planks to en- clear, and the immense, impenetrable, Kamihata-san and Tarzan were the first contact with money which they have river with its talons as if there were noth-
ning stage.We were astonished to find able us to climb aboard across the black primeval forest, apparently endless in its Japanese ever to visit this spot. I was as used to buy clothes and food, i.e. they ing to it, uttering harsh cries as it soared
that during the night, and in fact through- ooze. extent, loomed to both left have in effect been exchanging the croc- aloft from the water’s surface.
out the entire trip, there was much ham- We parked ourselves and our baggage and right of us. It seemed to odiles for these commodities. The most elegant member of the feath-
mering and sawing as further construc- on a stack of boards. The corrugated iron me that we were like the first
4 By night I examined the banks of ered tribe, however, is the hornbill
tion took place on board the “Mamber- roof over our heads appeared quite ser- men on a hitherto unex- the main stream, the tributaries, (Acerosplicatus julang, also called the
amo Yacht”. viceable despite a few holes. We even plored planet. I could imag- and the lakes, but although I did Irian or Burung Lipat), which is similar
We waded through waist-deep mud, had a “fireplace” in the middle of the ine how Neil Armstrong manage to glimpse a mere 4 speci- to the South American toucan. Their
sinking in time and again because of the “cabin”, which was open to the air on all must have felt when he be- mens in the light of my 2000 watt croaking calls were unmistakeable as
spotlight, none of them measured they glided in pairs above our heads,
1 more than 30 cm! In my opinion a now and then giving 3 or 4 beats of their
pitiful remnant of this majestic wings.
species. But there was plenty of Almost a day’s journey upstream we
other life on and around the river: stumbled upon an approximately 6 metre
white herons with yellow bills wide tributary, the Boare, on the right-
(Bulbucus ibis – known locally as hand bank, surrounded by endless forest.
“Kuntue Kerbaw”) were every- Hamaru skillfully beached the “Mamber-
where to be seen, often at quite amo Yacht” on the mud and moored her!
close range. The interesting cor- We transhipped ourselves and a reduced
morant-like Egretta sancta (“Kun- amount of equipment to the dugout and
taut as a bowstring in chugged away up the tribu-
anticipation of what 5 tary. Our fun was shortlived,
awaited us in this no however, for after the first
mans land. bend the river was blocked
The bed of the Mam- by fallen forest giants.
beramo, which wan- But Hamaru overcame this
dered in huge mean- hurdle, as well as others on
ders through the forest,
was up to a kilometre
wide. The mudflats 7
along its banks rose
high out of the water –
despite the fact that it
rained every day this
2 3 was the height of the
dry season.
We battled for hours
against the current, the
The largest fish in
milky-grey opaque water, full of sus- the Mamberamo 6
pended particles, demonstrating the pent- system are members
up power of this mighty river. There was of the catfish family
no human being for miles. No signs of Ariidae. Only two
species have been
any settlement. No natives. Hamaru told described from here,
us that hardly any men lived along the but I was able to find
Mamberamo because of the large num- at least 5 more, and
none could be
bers of dangerous croc compared to the
diles. Later on we discovered that to all described ones, like.:
intents and purposes this is no longer the 4. One species with a
very flat head;
case. For many years the owners of the 5-6. One with a very
well known crocodile farms in Irian large head, and
1-2. There are still some areas in the Mamberamo were we came across the endemic crocidile, but it never did attac us, nor do anything, Jaya, the largest, in Jayapura, having a silver spots; and
as long as we left them alone. Although they look dangerous and did let us know “do not come closer” opening ther mouth wide (1)... 7. One looking down.
Some younger ones, were in pools full of algaes (2), looking for easy prey (fishes which were trapped and cannot swim fast because of the low oxygen permanent population of 30,000 animals,
level in the water). 3. The entire Mamberamo system is nature pure, practically the most uninhabitat place on planed Earth today... had commissioned the native tribes of
1 4 the 4 km long stretch of river, in his own Further up the Boare, after a journey of
inimitable way. He pushed the trees to more than 2 hours in the heat of the sun,
one side, either singlehanded or with our we came upon a lake-like lagoon, lying
help. At one point, when it really was to one side of the river bed, and measur-
impossible to go any further, he told us ing more than 100 metres wide and
to climb over the tree with our bags and about a kilometre long. “Danau Boare”
baggage while he used all his strength to said Hamaru. We waded in with a long
push the now empty canoe under water drag-net in a temperature of 42 °C in the
against the current and hefted the out- shade.
board motor over the trunk. The water temperature was 36 °C and
Hamaru truly belongs to that class of felt warm, but nevertheless huge shoals
men whom nothing can daunt. He does of fishes were disporting themselves in
not know the meaning of the word im- this stagnant broth; the majority were
possible. Tilapia! Followed by carp (Cyprinus car-
The Boare became ever clearer and af- pio) and barbs of the genus Barbodes (al-
ter a journey of about an hour and a half most certainly B. gonionatus). All these
the water was so transparent that it was exotics were introduced by the Dutch
possible to identify the fishes from the during their occupation! The intention
1-6. My aim was to enter, as far as possible, the affluents of the
large rivers in this giant valley. In most of the affluents has been surface! We cast our net wide and a glo- was to increase the protein available to
no man (definately no white man) before, therefore the rivers and rious striped Chilatherina species came the natives. But, as has been the case al-
creeks were often (almost all of them) full of fallen-in trees and into view, possibly a member of the C. most eveywhere in the world that men
logs or giant roots. We had to move them out of the way (3)
or, in some cases, the only way out was to carry the boat over the
fasciata group. They were glittering have perpetrated such follies, there has
trees (5). Some of them were so bad, that we had no chance to emerald green, gleaming blue, gold en been a resulting boomerang effect; the
enter them (6). Even the very big rivers, such as the Mamberamo yellow, and pink-orange coloured crea- native underwater flora and fauna have
itself, or the Taritatus, were full with trunks (4). been decimated, or in most cases com-
No one ever moves them away, as, ship or boat tarffic is non
tures with 8 blue bars – fishes with all
existing here. 7-9. Some of the lake areas we entered by the colours of the rainbow. No wonder pletely exterminated, by the introduction
foot sinking deep into the mud (7). And the only traces that they are called ìRainbow Fishesî. of these aliens. It was just so here in the
we found, were those of animals, like those of cassuary 5 But the bright colours are seen only in Danau Boare. The introduction of exotics
birds (8) or very small birds (9).
adults of 14.5 cm or more. Juveniles and should be the subject of a total ban by
semi-adults, the majority of our catch, both national governments and interna-
2 have an almost silvery colouration. And tional organisations, and punishable by
then there was a Glossolepis species - severe penalties in international courts of
but which? We found this one again and justice. And not as in Australia, where
again in the Mamberamo. the powers that be have done nothing but
talk rubbish and are now blaming aquar-
7 ists for the problem!
The Boare, however, also yielded stur-
dy, very large Arius catfishes, specimens
of 2-3 kg heavier and carrying more
flesh than any of the exotics. The intro-
ductions have not been able to decimate
these endemics, as these so-called “Cru-
cifix Catfishes” are likewise predators
and eat just about everything that comes
within reach of their mouths – but not
their own eggs. They brood the latter, as
3
well as the developing juniles,
8 9 in their mouths – and for this
reason they have survived!
Some crucifix catfishes have
a row of gleaming pearl-like
spots on their metallic brown
flanks, and are white only on
the belly. The most sensational
of them, however, was a cat-
fish of the genus Doiichthys
(?). The monotypic species (D.
6
novaguineae) placed in a fam-
ily of its own (Doiichthyidae), it is cer- A while later silvery Arius catfishes, including one
1 8
tainly the oddest member of the group, Hamaru, at my insis- specimen measuring more than 50 cm
and one can only marvel at the way that tence on examining which Hamaru immediately put aside for
both eyes are positioned at the same lev- secluded lakes, man- our evening meal. This splendid creature
el as the mouth and can look only down- aged to find a passage turned the scales at 3.5 kg.
wards. Thus if one looks at these crea- for the dugout from That evening we continued our journey
tures from below one finds oneself look- the river through the up the Mamberamo, experiencing an in-
ing into their eyes, which are barely visi- flooded forest, and an credibly beautiful sunset amidst unimag-
ble from above. The 6-8 cm long barbels enormous, 20 km inable stillness.
are pointed forwards, with 2 pairs on the long, lake opened in Hamaru anchored his “yacht” in the mud
maxillary and a single pair beneath the front of us. A dream of a bay and we were immediately at-
lower jaw. The head and eye structure re- of a biotope, com- tacked by swarms of mosquitoes.
minded me immediately of the South pletely undisturbed. We were rid of these pests (and then only
American Dolphin catfish (ag No.6) Hardly surprising, as in part) only after we had lit our camp-
which likewise can only look down- probably never before fire on the boat and were cooking our
wards. This is an evolutionary adaptation in the history of the potato soup, while the Japanese
which is used mainly in the search for earth had this spot
food. been visited by white kind on our planet shortly before the be- 9
Doiichthys had never previously been men. Hitherto one could only dream that ginning of the 21st. century.
photographed and was known only from there might still be something of this Hamaru, who had been fishing the cen-
southern New Guinea. It may well be tral Mamberamo for 19 years during
that the Mamberamo population repre- 2 which he had captured many native
sents a new, second, species. The unmis- fishes in his gill nets, knew this area like
takeable morphology of D. novaguineae the back on his hand. He even showed
is the reason for scientists assigning it to me a sketch map of the region, quite
a separate family. different to any of the official maps, but
I am quite convinced that Hamaru’s ver-
3 sion gave the true picture. Hamaru
called the lake “Tanjum
4 Potus”. The water was al-
most transparent, with
roots and trunks protruding
in many places, and the 10
bordering rain forest
seemed even denser, im-
penetrable, than ever.
5 The riparian undergrowth
consisted of ferns, nothing
but ferns. Millions of
plants which during levels of high
water would lose their leaves or 11 prepared their rice bag – you simply
die off completely, or which, as fill this with hot water, wait 20
1. From the plane one 8-10. In this clearwater affluent (8) we seined
can see many small affluents, now at low water, enriched this minutes, and you have instant rice and caught a beautiful Chilaterina species (9),
6 creeks and rivers in this giant valley. None of them dream-like biotope still further with all the trimmings. As we en- still undescribed but in the hobby, as the
explored, probably still containing hundreds of with their fresh green foliage. joyed our tea we were serenaded by “cameleon rainbowfish” (as it changes its
undiscovered species. But extreme difficult to colours). I had a pair in the net (10). It can grow
penetrade, or even enter at all.
There were white herons every- grass hoppers and frogs, interrupted
to 18 cm (the ones shown were 14.5 cm), and is
2-4. The dutch (Irian Jaya was 7 where, eagles in the sky, and yet more only by the shriek of the birds. probably the largest Chilaterina, belonging to the
Hollandia before, colonized hornbills. A crocodile measuring about The campfire was reduced to em- fasciata group. It is a real beauty. 11-12. The
by the Dutch) have, no 1.5 metres in length quickly submerged bers, and we smeared ourselves with most common Chilaterina cf. fasciata (I call it
one knows exactly when, Chilaterina sp. “Mamberamo”), lives almost
introduced three exotic into the depths at the approach of our mosquito repellent, spread our mos- everywhere in the valley.
species here: boat. quito nets, and lit the mosquito fumi-
1. Barbonymus gonionotus from
Java. 3. Cyprinus carpio, from
Unfortunately fishing here failed to pro- gant. One cannot take too many pre- 12
Europe, and 4. Oreochromis duce anything particularly exciting - the cautions here; malaria, which infects
niloticus from Africa. With all lake must be directly connected to the more than 200 million people every
the fishes here, why? Mamberamo during the rainy season. year, is endemic to the Mamberamo,
5-7. The halfbeak, probably
Zenarchopterus kampeni, is a
Once again there were rainbow fishes of another reason why nobody comes
native. the genus Glossolepis (this time, howev- here. The
er, with an orange opercular spot) and Japanese wore an additional safe-
AUSTRALASIA Indonesia Indoensia AUSTRALASIA
1-4. Untouched virgen jungle and catfishes, had lit the fire, and were lakes along the river – would invariably tant lake Kli, and thus not a proper
1 2 (2), and unlived, nor visited,
summoning us to breakfast. Baked pota- have an aquatic fauna identifical to that stream at all!
hundreds of beautiful lakes (1),
in an untouched giant valley full toes and fish are their daily fare; morn- of the Mamberamo itself. After an adventure-filled journey – this
of undiscoverd rivers (3), only ing, noon, and night. Thus it was that, at noon on the second waterway was clearly completely undis-
herons (4) and other animals In the morning mist we all had to join day, we found ourselves back in the turbed, with even more branches, bushes,
live here. No human being, nor
trace. 5-6. I was able to visit just together to push the “Mamberamo dugout, this time travelling several kilo- and giant trees at all angles than the
a few of the isolated, remote Yacht” out of the mud, as it was stuck metres up a smaller stream, only 2.5 to Boare river, and in addition banks lined
lakes, like this one (6). But we fast. Plastered in mud up to his waist, 3.5 metres wide. Our Sulawesian ex- with spiny Pandanus plants, and thus
walked for three days to reach
it – to find only a goby and in places up to his neck, Hamaru plained that although this watercourse impassable – we eventually reached
species in it (5). steered the boat back into the main cur- was still navigable at this time of year in Danau Kli. The most spectacular vista
rent and proceeded upstream; mean a few weeks time it would be impass- yet opened in front of us – almost black
while a quick dip in the river cleaned us able. It was simply an outflow of the dis- water, innumerable birds, and an incom-
3
7
4
guard round their wrists – newly invent- of the clinging ooze. A few Lorius rora-
Right-hand page: 7-10. The very few
native (aborigines) people who live ed mosquito armbands, which give off a tus, green parrots, flew over us, chatter- 10
in this Mamberamo valley, are mosquito repellent aroma. ing as if they were trying to tell us that
countable on a few hands. In my Unfortunately Paola and I did not have day was dawning, and before the sun had
total of three journeys to this valley
I have not seen more than 100 aborig- very much luck getting to sleep. Mizuka- risen above the horizon we also saw
ines in this area, bigger than Switzer- mi and Kamaihata-san were taking it in white cockatoos, Cacatua galerita
land. They live like in times of the turns to perform a symphony of snoring (known locally as “Kakatua besar” or
stone age and are still nomadic tribes.
Their huts have only a temporary
– it was as if the two of them were com- “Jambul Kuning”), uttering their charac-
palm roof (7). Their tools are made peting to see which could out-trumpet teristic cries. This majestic undisturbed
of nature products, even their bows the other! I must have shaken them river had awoken anew.
and arrows – each one of the arrows
to hunt a certain fish or animal
awake more than 30 times in the course Hamaru was well aware that I was in-
species (8). Their cloth (9) are made of the night, but all in vain! terested in lakes which were never con-
of barc from certain tree, or given Hamaru and his comrades were up be- nected with the main river, even at high
by missionaries ages ago. But all of fore dawn setting their gill nets in the water, i.e. which were never floaded by
them were always very friendly
and welcomed me to their modest bay. After only a few minutes they had a the Mamberamo. Inundation lakes – and
home (10). mesh bag packed with tilapias, barbs, there were almost innumerable such
parable wealth of fishes. When Hamaru ertheless to be thriving. As we reached caught another, very silvery, form which
1
1-6. In one lake (the aborigines which came with
me called it “Kli”), I found a striking rainbow- dabbled his fingers in the water hundreds the halfway mark I saw a bank where we was otherwise very similar (female?). In
fish (1-2). It was a Glossolepis, but a very red
one, and to me still undescribed. Because there
of catfishes came to the surface, squab- might be able to land. Despite the thicket addition there was a Zenarchopterus
is confusion regarding the species named G. bling over the prey they thought had on the shore our Sulawesian came up species, a halfbeak with a unique mouth,
multisquamatus. It was described 1922, after a landed. trumps yet again, and in next to no time the lower jaw measuring up to 8 cm long
fish collected by W. C. Van Heurn in the Iden- I was immediately positive that this we two and his two helpers were in the and the upper a mere stump, the two fit-
burg river (not in the remote lake Kli) as
Melanoatenia multisquamata by Weber & De lake would harbour at least one endemic black water. I swam through the lake ting together perfectly, however, when
Beaufort, and they describe precisely the species species. This is generally the case with the 7 metre net in tow, trying to closed. A single specimen, 24.5 cm in
which I collected also in the Idenburg river (5- throughout New Guinea. Lakes which reach the distant bank as quickly as pos- length. Only 2 species, Z. alleni and Z.
6), its type locality. Also: My fish from lake Kli
(already introduced in the hobby), has always are geographically isolated have endemic sible, which was easier said than done. novaguineae, are known from this re-
red eyes and red stripes (1-2), already in its ju- species. But in most cases catching them When I had finally reached the shore, gion. But a precise identification was not
venile stage the eyes begin to turn red and the is very difficult. The water was also very and removed from the net the many possible at this stage in our journey.
red stripes appear clearly (3). Alone
these characters are absend from the
deep here – only some 6 metres below pieces of root it had collected during my Another very unusual fish which we
species found in the Idenburg, and do 2 maximum (but almost 10 above mini- numerous dives (to depths of up to 5 me- caught was the large-mouthed perch,
not appear in its original description. mum) – and the nets yielded nothing but tres) below obstructions, I saw a salmon- Glossamia sp., probably a new species.
But G. R. Allen, still calls both G. multi- 4 a few gobies. red fish in its centre! The colour pattern did not agree with
squamatus – even the one found in the
distant Ramu valley (in Papua New Hamaru then attempted to penetrate What a sensation! It rivalled Glos- that of G. beauforti, or with that of the
Guinea), which is again a different (also further along the lake. We passed small solepis inciscus, only the red colour in twinbanded G. gjellerupi, these 2 being
undescribed) species and today in the islands with fantastic vegetation in the males was distributed in horizontal the only described species from this area.
hobby worldwide as G. multisquamatus.
So actually the fishes in the hobby are middle of the lake and groves of trees stripes, mainly on the upper part of the A very interesting group of fishes. They
standing deep in water but seeming nev- body and fading out on the lower. But it are restricted to fresh water habitats, in
5 3
10 11
7 10. Only about was such a brilliant blood red that I let contrast to the other members of this
9 100 species of out a cry, barely able to contain my ex- family (Apogonidae) which inhabit
the carnivorous citement. The bodies of the females were mainly salt water and have a pan-global
plant genus
Nepenthes – merely pink, but with a bright red tail. distribution. There are 7 described
generelly called There were 2 in the net on the first cast, species, 6 of which are endemic to New
pitcher plants but thereafter success eluded me until a Guinea, and the 7th. species found in
or monkey pot
– are classified, small bay on the return journey, where Northern Australia, G. aprion, as well.
and most of we caught a further 4 specimens after a They are piscivores which also use their
both new, and the real multisquama- 8 those are found dramatic battle with the undergrowth. At large mouths for brooding their eggs.
in New Guinea.
tus still in the Idenburg, as I did not
This island is
this spot we were also able to see how The water temperature measured 29.5
bring it (only the photos). So maybe one day
(still) so rich in abruptly the edges of the lake plunged °C, and at noon the air temperature rose
they will be described. And maybe I can go
back and collect the true G. multisquamatus
its flora and into its depths. It must have been more to more than 40 °C on the thermometer.
fauna. than 50 metres deep. Our return journey to the Mamberamo
and this time bring it back alife... 7-9. Gobies
11. Another
are found also in the Mamberamo system,
striking new During our “exit” from Lake Kli the was somewhat easier that the trip up-
her some undescribed Glossolepis species (7).
The Glossamia (8), a freshwater member of
discovery was crew helped us with a fishing experiment stream. We lay at our ease in Hamaru’s
the large marine family Apogonidae, is also
this blue eye, in a mere 40-80 cm. of water in the inun- dugout for almost 6 km. while he, as
Pseudomugil
still not classified. It is a mouthbrooder and a
species. Also dation zone; here we found huge shoals usual, manhandled the many tree roots
preadtor, eats small fishes. Spiders are
still unde- of the Glossolepis species which is found and trunks out of our path. Tonight I
everywhere in the Mamberamo valley,
even on sticks on the water (9).
scribed. everywhere in the Mamberamo. We also would rest easy. I had yet again achieved
my ambition, of 13 years standing, of matchsticks. This river is one of only 2 addtion its habitat and motion likewise 6 7
discovering a new rainbow fish every collecting sites where, round about 1920, suggest it should be assigned to that
year. It began to pour with rain. It had members of the rainbow fish family group.
come down in bucketsful the night be- Melanotaeniidae were taken from the Chilatherina, in contrast to Melanotae-
fore and once during the day, real tropi- Mamberamo, preserved, and, 2 years lat- nia, are found almost exclusively in fast-
cal downpours of brief duration, lasting er in 1922, described by the ichthyolo- flowing rivers and streams – generally in
10-15, sometimes 30, minutes, but con- gists Weber and de Beaufort. The other is areas of rapids – and only in clear water.
sisting of ice-cold rain. This time it M. praecox from the former Pioniers bi- They rarely occur in lakes (C. bleheri is
rained all night. vak. the exception) or in cloudy or muddy
Before the still of night fell upon the In the Doormann (the natives still use waters. Again we netted a few gobies,
Mamberamo Hamaru and I were able to the Dutch name) I also found the largest but these were nothing like as colourful
fish the clear Doormann river, a sandy- of all the Melanotaeniidae (at least of as those in the black water of Lake Kli.
bottomed fast-flowing stream, at present those known from the wild). In the light And once again a barb, an exotic!.
about 8-10 metres wide but at high water of the searchlight specimens of up to Soaked to the skin with rain, we hud- 8
occupying a bed a good 30-40 metres 16.5 cm swam around my legs. This dled over the “fireplace” aboard our
across, as could clearly be seen from the species is currently known to science as “yacht” to dry ourselves, and thought
huge exposed sandbanks and the tree Melanotaenia vonheurni, but the form of about the wonderful time we had had on
trunks swept down by the force of the both mouth and body are remi-
torrent and left scattered around like niscent of Chilatherina, and in 2
1
9 10
3
1-5. Most of the remote lakes in the Mameramo valley can

only be reached over land. We had to anchor the boat and
walk (1). And as most of this giant valley is swamp and
mud, the walk becomes very unpleasend (5). Unfortunately
(for the aquarists), many of such muddy lakes do not have
11 12
rainbowfishes, but always gobies and gudgeons.
7-9. We collected and researched in muddy (7-8) and clear

In this lake were two interesting waters (9) and found fishes everywhere. All over the place most 13
gudgeons: one was definately Giurus of the times the earlier mentioned Chilatherina fasciata and
magaritacea (2) found all around New the Glossolepis multisquamatus (10) in mostly turbid waters.
Guinea and elsewhere, which can to Melanotaenia vanheurni (11-12) was only in the clearwater
grow to 30 cm and another large, but affluents (9) of the Idenburg river. Also this interresting
undescribed species (4). The goby Glossogobius cf. koragensis (13). Only: in none of those we
definately belongs to the genus Glosso- found Melanotaenia preacox, although Van Heurn had
gobius (3) and looks somewhat like collected in in 1907 in the Mamberamo River...
G. bulmeri. 6. The lake mentioned above,
at which we collected these species, can
be seen here from the plane.
the Mamberamo. We were only too well 3) Everything always turns out different- 7
1 9
1. Most of the 6. Hamaru worked
Mamberamo main ly to the way you planned.” continously on
aware that next morning a helicopter rivers get influence improving the boat,
from the Airfast Charter Company in from the high and I have to say that this had turned out to as long as we
Jayapura would be arriving to collect us. low tide - although be true on every single one of my previ- were travelling.
Back to “civilization”. I would have pre- some parts are ous expeditions to this part of Indonesia. 7-8. The local,
100o km away natural fruiot made
ferred to stay, a sentiment which Paola from the Ocean... Our pilot, an Australian called Captain me go mad, I had to
shared, but there were also the Japan- 2-4. Pandanus (2) Threat, a gaunt leathery-faced man with try everyone, and
ese... are growing almost an almost invariably angry expression, each one was more
everywhere in the delicous than the
Hamaru and his crew motored through Mamberamo
wearing a ragged hat, shorts, socks and previous one...
the relentless downpour in the direction valley, and more sandals, did in fact arrive and wanted to 9-10. I always
of Dabra, where we dropped anchor at 2 than one species, leave again immediately. I realised that asked the aborigines
its red seeds in this weather we would see nothing of before and
am. It was a wonder how this man found supplies food learned from them 8
his way back though the maze of rivers to the aborigines the magnificent Mamberamo panorama also their fantastic
in the pitch dark forest night and teeming as well as many as originally planned, nor would we have way of making
rain. other, mostly the chance to land on one of the lakes. arrows, ropes
unknown, endemic and sticks to
Paola and I stayed aboard in order to fruits (3-4). So I asked Hamaru, who had come to catch fishes...
spend the few remaining hours asleep on say goodbye, to take me to the nearby
our “yacht”. Hamaru hung a large piece
of canvas to windward of our beds to 2
keep off the worst of the rain, and then
he accompanied Kamihata and Tarzan
across the mud to dry land.
I awoke to the tremendous din of a he-
licopter above my head, sprang from un-
der my mosquito net, and peered up into
the sky which was still filled with clouds
raining cats and dogs. It was a helicopter
belonging to the P.T.Freeport Mining
Company in Tembagapura, the largest 10
gold, silver, and copper mine in Irian
Jaya (amd the whole of Indonesia!), with
more than 140,000 employees. The dig-
gings have already extended into the 3 4
Mamberamo basin. Two people had been
stationed here for several weeks to make
a survey of the area, and their needs 6
were supplied almost every day by air. Below: No one has an outboard
motor or any kind of engine,
The helicopter even transported large only dugouts, in whcih they Uge river to look for fishes and aquatic had thorns in our feet, our hands were light! A tiny fish! Only a 1 cm wide sec-
numbers of 200 litre drums of benzene, travel and carry all their an mals. shredded by stones and roots, and several tion of the body was visible, but never-
hung in nets beneath it from Tembagapu- belongings, like here darf Accompanied by 2 boys we slipped times we were swept under by the cur- theless I realized that this was it! The
or Bennett’s Cassowaries
ra which lies high in the mountains. away without further ado, unnoticed and rent, swallowing huge amounts of mud discovery of the decade! The fish of my
(Casuarius bennetti).
For my own part I was hoping that our without a word to anyone, leaving Threat in the process. We were both very close dreams, with glittering iridescent colours
pilot from Sentani would not attempt the unable to take off without us! An hour to giving up. beyond compare. Did it really exist?
journey in this weather. But it turned out later, after negotiating huge numbers of Then we spotted a 6 metre wide bay Could this really be true? As if in a
quite otherwise. streams which were pouring down from with a weaker current, and our 21st. and trance I flung myself upon the net to
The very first time that I came to Irian the mountains after the rains and had final cast resulted in an unforgettable ex- grab it before it could disappear, and in
Jaya and to the Mamberamo, on that oc- transformed the entire area into a flood, perience. so doing I tripped over a branch and
casion (1982) together with my friend we reached the mouth of the Uge. But We used our remaining strength to haul drove a splinter of wood into my right
the world famous ichthyologist Dr. G. R. not surprisingly this slow-flowing stream in the 7 metres of heavy wet net – full of foot. But in the heat of the moment I did
Allen and the photographer Dr. W. Tims, had turned into a roaring muddy torrent. roots and leaves – and struggled ashore not feel a thing. Hamaru suddenly re-
my pilot told me, when I asked when Although ever the optimist, even I had with it draped around our necks. At first alised what I had been trying to do all
and at what price I might charter a heli- reservations about the likelihood of us glance it looked as if we had merely this time. Previously he had thought that
copter, “You must remember 3 things catching anything in these conditions. caught the Chilatherina species captured as usual I was acting the mad gringo. But
when you come to Irian Jaya: Faced with a battle against the right at the beginning of our trip. Just as now he too was astonished, as for the
1) Forget all about time; unchecked strength of the muddy red tor- I had really given up, and was about to first time in almost 20 years he was see-
2) Everything costs at least 3 times as rent, the faithful Hamaru nevertheless clean out and roll up the net, I spotted ing something unfamiliar in “his” world.
much as elsewhere; and followed my lead, but 20 casts of the net something incredibly beautiful glittering There must surely be more than one of
5 left us breath less and unsuccessful. We among the leaves! It shone like a neon these gems! We dragged the river bed
2 came out, and off we went as I had some of them quite deep, but unfortu-
1 8
planned… nately a landing was not possible. I had
A fabulous panoramic view of the the feeling that each of them held at least
Mamberamo spread out in front of us. one endemic species, and I was only pre-
We shot some 30 reels of film, pho- vented by Paola from jumping out of the
tographing the most majestic of all the helicopter (something I have actually
rivers of New Guinea, also the least ex- done on one occasion).
plored, and that which still holds the There were lakes with vegetation along
most secrets. We flew over almost innu- their banks and underwater; lakes with
merable geographically isolated lakes, black water (the habitat of some of the
again with renewed vigor – but without

1-6. The main rivers in the Valley are full of
success. Despite being completely ex- 3 shrimps, in every net we had hundreds (1).
hausted, wet, and shivering with cold, we Hamaru, on my third visit, had already started
redoubled our efforts and on the 41st cast to make its own salt-and-fish, in the middle of
the river he salted and dried the collected
we actually netted another two speci-
mens. I could live with that.
specimens (2), largely the exotic species...
rarely the large catfishes, like the large Arius
9
Feeling reasonably contented we made species (3) or the Doiichthys species (6), those
our way back, crossing a 2 metre wide he fried on our boat fresh (4). The boat he had
build was our home for many days, and here
tributary of the Uge which was not so we brushed our teeth (5), had our
swollen with flood water. We tentatively food and bed...
submerged our net in this secluded spot,
and landed first 5, then a further 4, and 4 6 7
finally another 3 of these fishes! My de-
light and joy were by now quite inde-
scribable. I danced in the water like
Rumpelstiltskin around his treasure. On-
ly 4 times in my life had I felt like this: 10
in 1954, when, as a boy, I had my first
glimpse of a wimple piranha, a still un-
described Catoprion species, in the Rio
Guaporé in Mato Grosso province,
Brazil; In 1964, when I caught the red- heri). Such brilliance and luminosity are
headed characin, Hemigrammus bleheri,
5 rare in the underwater world. But Nature
in a tributary of the Rio Negro; in 1971 has created some life forms which stand
when I netted a fantastic “Royal Blue” out from the rest to an almost unbeliev-
discus, a dominant individual of the sub- able extent. And this was yet another
species Symphysodon aequifasciatus proof of her matchless ability.
haraldi, in Lake Manacapuru, in the All these thoughts passed through my
Amazonas; and in 1982 in Lake Aja- head as I ran proudly through the current
maru on the Vogelkop Peninsula of Irian with my booty in my hand, not even
Jaya, when I first saw the living coral noticing that my clogs were floating
rainbow fish, Melanotaenia boesemani. in most cases); males have red-edged away downstream. As if in the seventh 11
All these fishes are now being bred fins while the fins of females are pure heaven I raced barefoot over sticks and Some photos of my first and last trip: 7. My first landing with a missionar’s, small Cessna
worldwide and are amongst the most yellow; and both sexes are coloured like stones without feeling a thing. aircraft in 1982. Here with aborigines, the pilot and G. R. Allen (in the green shirt) at a landing
beautiful of aquarium fishes. brilliant neon lights, as seen previously And when we got back to the helicopter strip in the Mamberamo. 8-10. On my recent and last trip, although I had the permit from
1993 will also go down in fish history. only in the Cardinal Tetra not even the wrathful Captain Threat or the highest authorities in Jakarta, we were forced out by the military comander of Dabra.
Even my radio comunication was useless (10). I had to leave 1200 litres of fuel and one outbord
There is no doubt that the “Neon Rain- (Paracheirodon axelrodi) and my dis- Kamihata-san’s considerable anger at the motor behind. But we had walked over three days to a remore lake thru deep swamp (8),
bow Fish” will take the world by storm. covery from Zaïre (today Congo), the delay could spoil my mood. For as I had taking off the leaches with the knife (9). 11. This map shows clearly that the Mamberamo
Maximum size is 4.5 cm. (only 3.5 cm. African Neon (Phenacogrammus ble- prophesied, the sky cleared, the sun valley is completly surrounded by high mountains, completely isolated from the world.
The most untouched palce on planet Earth...
seining and than we return” (also because the helicopter most colourful fishes on Earth); lakes
1 had already landed some time ago...). And as it was ment, coloured green or blue. Surrounded by
this last neting was the miracle, a single shiny fish in the
middle of many leaves. That was it! Melanotaenia praecox dense ancient woodland, primary forest
shining as a diamond, as a neon (3). I could hardly believe in all its glory.
my own eyes, it was like a miracle, my dream had come The trees were crowned alternately
through. I collected still more, a total of 15 specimens,
which I took back (and in Europe arrived 13 alife, of which with red and yellow blossoms. Some
today they breed ca. 5 million monthly world wide). biotopes were scattered with palms,
while in others the spiny pandanus pre-
dominated. The flora of the Mamberamo
region is truly without equal.
The branch over which we were flying
was actually the Idenburg, a tributary of
the Mamberamo. And the other, west-
ern, branch is known not as the Mamber-
1. During the last days on the Mameramo it rained
nonstop, day and night and we had not found the amo but as the Rouffaer (Tariku). But
Melanotaenia praecox. Everyone was disapointed. these 2 tributaries, which join to form the
But I had this dream during the last night when I Mamberamo proper, are always regarded
slept on the boat and rained non stop: that I was
looking much to far aways. When the Dutchman as integral parts of that river. Together
came almost 100 years before, there was only this they form what is not only the least ex-
native village (todays Dabra), and he found it near plored biological treasure-house but also
there. And that is the only place I had not
searched... I woke up and decited to leave and look 2 the largest river system of the second
mfor it in the creeks nearby (2-3), althjough I knew largest island on Earth.
the helicopter was to arrive any moment from Jayapura to take us back. It is unlikely that the white man will
I walked all over the surrounding area while it rained still. I dragged the
seine with an native up and down the creeks and several times it carried us
ever be able to unveil all the secrets of
completely away, because the water currant was so strong in this rain. We both the Mamberamo, that civilized man will
were completely exhausted and still no fish, when I told him: “only one more ever appreciate the diversity of this
unique region, or that scientists will
comprehend the complexity of this
8 ecosystem.
Luckily the Indonesian government has
declared this region “off limits” and it is
practically impossible to obtain a permit
to visit the area. Hoping that it would re-
main thus, that the P.T. Freeport Mining
Company would not discover minerals
4 here as well as in the mountains, and that
the National Pertamina Oil Company,
My dreamfish (6), fish of the century (20th) as I called it (or “neon dwarf rain- which has drilled for “black gold” in 3
bowfish”), has conquered the aquarium world, as hardly any other fish before.
Kamihata (7), Tarzan, Paola and the pilot had waited 2 hours, and were very places, would find it here, I took one fi-
3 mad at me, but inspite of all, he just said “You are a genius”. Hamaru finally 9 10 nal look at the endless rainforest of the
understud my search and liked aquageo (5). Mamberamo, the river which is not in-
cluded in either guidebooks to Indonesia
or books about that country.
13
11 12
9. We finally flew back in the chartered helicopter (9) to Jayapura (cost a fortune) with the precious
load. 10. On my last trip I was forced (by militaries) to fly out with a chartered plane, leaving the
expensive fuel (1200 l) and the outboard motor (10), they confiscated behind. Somehow it seems
to me, one has to go through hell, if one wants to achive something, and my hell was, that I did
5 not have enough and while we waited in Sentani for our delayed flight Jakarta, I went fishing
7
in a stream full of rubbish and jumped on a rusty steel bold, which went 2,5 cm deep (11).
Two month in a cast (12). No pains no gain.
6
84 Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquarium 14 Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature 85
INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM Indonesia Indonesia INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM
1 2 9 10
3 4 11 12
5 6 13 14
7 8
Some suggestions for rainbowfish biotope aquariums: 9-10 A typical habitat (9) of the beautiful Glossolepis dorityi (10), which I discovered as well and call the “red zigzag rainbowfish” is full of water lillies again, also
1. This is the lake Wanam, origin of Glossolepis wanamensis (2), Ceratophyllum species and some Barclayas, rarely Aponogeton species. 11. Melanotaenia alleni (still not in the hobby), lives over gravel ground, in rivers and creeks
a georgeous rainbowfish. He lives with Chilaterina fasciata (3) that flow, with almost no vegetation. 12. Melanotaenia species (by some classified as M. goldiei), which I discovered in a creek called Tapini in Papua New Guinea
and gobies, in a rich aquatic biotope, with lots of water lillies – that is why I call it Melanotaenia sp. ‘Tapini’ – is a real beauty and in the hobby available. It likes some moos (as shown), gravel bottom and some sand. Gobies
and Lotus plants, as well as Ceratophyllum demersum. or gudgeons, possibly some blue eyes (Pseudomugil novaguineae, or P. gertrudae or P. paskai). 13-14. Another recent first collected alife species is the real
4. Chilaterina bleheri lives also endemic in a lake (Danau Biru), Melanotaenia misoolensis (which is in several publication misidentified). This shown is the correct species, quite high body and with an incredible possibility
with no other rainbowfish, only gudgeons and gobies. to change its colour (sometimes in minutes), like from steel blue (13), to orange-red (not shown) or bright yellow-golden (14). This species is only found in one
5-6. Melanotaenia boesemani (6) lives in 2 lakes (connected) full of of the two Уcreeks on Misool island, in water without vegetaion, only gravel and plants hanging into the water. For all these rainbowfishes (and blue eyes)
aquatic ferns (5), Najas and Ceratophyllum species. Only with Pseudomugil the water can be hard up to 500 microsiemens no problem, and pH up to 8 and temperatures from 23 to 28°C.
reticulatus (7), not with P. ivantsoffi (8) as written elsewhere.
INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM Indonesia Indonesia INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM
1 4
2 5
On these two pages same samples of very typical

3 – nature biotope aquariums for rainbowfishes:
1. This one decorated for the species
Melanotaenia praecox (2), which the previous
article is about (and gives additional informa-
tion). It should have some plants (here Microso-
rium pteropus, which are found throughout New
Guinea, attached to driftwood and rocks). Grav- 4-6. Another typical exhibition for Melanotaenia
el and sandy areas – mixed. I decorated this angfa is the one above (4), decorated with, again, 6
aquarium at an exhibition and the fishes felt like Microsorium pteropus, some Spatiphyllum species,
“at home” immediately and started to lay eggs... and floating plants (Azolla or Lemna species).
3. This aquarium is on exhibit in Denver, Lots of fine white sand and colourful (rusty brown)
Colorado (USA), as the rainbowfish aquarium. I stones.. Also here this rainbowfish species felt like
visted it two years ago and I thought they made in nature and one could see it in their
a good job. Naturally they placed several differ- behaviour. Immediately starte with courtships (5)
ent rainbowfish species together (and some and displayed their full (still juvenile) colours (6).
gobies and blue eyes), but still ist looked good Important is for rainbowfishes and blue eyes:
and if you compare it with the underwater photo do never overcrowd the tank. They never live
I took in the M. boesemani habitat in nature in very large schools or groups. The quantity
(shown on the previous page photo 5), than one shown here is just right emeber that.
can see that it looks much like in nature... Also give them some shade.
Reef fishes of
St. Paul’s Rocks
S
MARINE St. Paul’s Rocks MARINE
t. Paul’s Rocks (Arquipélago de population status of reef fishes (the ally flushed with seawater at high tide.
St. Paul’s Rocks

São Pedro e São Paulo) is a very Rocks, now called ‘Archipelago’ are A small shallow bay (2 to 21 m depth)
small group of rocky islands lo- permanently inhabited). is formed by the encirclement of three
cated on the mid-Atlantic Ridge, just The Archipelago rises from 4000 m major islets. Other reef habitats of St.
north of the Equator (00°55’N; deep ocean floor close to the Mid-At- Paul’s Rocks consist almost entirely of
29°21’W), 1000 km from the Brazilian lantic Ridge, and two putative ages are nearly vertical cliffs extending beyond
coast, and 1890 km from Senegal, given to it: 9.5 MYBP (million years 60 m depth. This archipelago has one
Africa. It is one of the smallest, most before present) if it originated from a of the most limited areas of shallow
isolated groups of oceanic islands in nearby ridge, or 35 MYBP if it origi- habitats (< 50 m deep) among oceanic
the world. nated from a farther oceanic ridge. It islands, with less than 0.2 km2. Most of
The Rocks are particularly interesting consists of five small rocky islets and the sublittoral zone is dominated by the
from the population biology and bio- four larger islets covering an area of soft coral Palythoa caribeorum (from 3
St. Paul’s Rocks is a very small group of rocky islands located on the mid-Atlantic Ridge
geographical perspectives because of about 16,000 m2. Tide pools are present to 8 m depth), and the algae Caulerpa
just north of the Equator, about 1000 km from the Brazilian coast. In the course of four their very small size and isolation. on most of the islets, which are gener- sp. (from 3 to about 30 m).
recent expeditions the fish fauna was surveyed in tide pools and over reefs at depths down The hermatipic corals
to 62 m. Seventy-five fish species were recorded, of which 58 are reef inhabitants and 17 Madracis decactis and
are pelagic. The most speciose families found here are Muraenidae (seven species), 2
Scolymia wellsi Laborel ap-
Carangidae (five), Pomacentridae (five), Labridae (four), Serranidae (three), and pear where the Caulerpa
Scaridae (three). Stegastes sanctipauli (Pomacentridae), Chromis multilineata stops at about 30 m, and oc-
(Pomacentridae), Melichthys niger (Balistidae) and Caranx lugubris (Caranagidae) were cur down to at least 45 m
the most visually abundant fishes. Despite being recorded in prior expeditions, where they are quite abun-
dant. Two black corals (An-
Carcharhinus galapagensis and Anthias salmopunctatus were not observed. It was tipathes spp.) occur from a
observed that 60.3% of the reef fish species are carnivores, 15.5% planktivores, depth of 45 m to at least 60
8.6% omnivores, 8.6% territorial herbivores, and 6.9% non-territorial herbivores. m and a total of 14 alga
Of the 58 reef fishes recorded, four are endemic to St. Paul’s Rocks and about 80% species have been recorded.
also occur off the coast of Brazil. During the recent expedi-
tions (May and November
by Bertran M. Feitoza, Luiz A. Rocha, Osmar J. Luiz-Junior, Sergio R. Floeter, 1999, September 2000, and
JoЛo L. Gasparini and Heiko Bleher August 2001) about 124
hours of underwater activity
(54 scuba dives to depths of
62 m – including two night
dives, and 39 snorkelling
dives) were involved. The
They are uniquely influenced 3

by both the Equatorial Under-
current – facilitating eastward
dispersal – and the Southern
Equatorial Current – directing
flow from the central-eastern
Atlantic. The area has been
visited by scientific expedi-
tions since 1799. However,
the first survey involving scu-
ba diving to a depth of 60 m
was only carried out in 1979.
In the past, the inhospitable
nature and inaccessibility of
St. Paul’s Rocks had prevent-
ed detailed biological studies.
However, since the establish-
ment of a scientific station by
the Brazilian Navy in July of
1998, ichthyologists have
been able to visit the island 2. Tide pool at the Belmont Islet, it is flushed with fresh seawater at high tide. Photo by B. M. Feitoza.
1. Map of St. Paul’s Rocks. periodically to reassess the 3. Bay situated between the Belmont, Challenger and Cabral Islets. Photo by B. M. Feitoza.
MARINE St. Paul’s Rocks St. Paul’s Rocks MARINE
water temperature ranged from 23 to ised in alphabetical order. (sightings are not unusual, but are not Record status – how the species was Among the 58 reef fishes recorded, value of their fins. The pelagic fishes
26.5 ºC and visibility from 12 to 30 m. Current population status – an indica- expected on a regular basis), UN = un- recorded. We consider ’reef fishes’ to the most speciose families were the on which sharks feed are also targeted
The fish fauna was surveyed in tide tion of relative abundance in 1999 – common (sightings are unusual), and be species either associated with hard Muraenidae (seven species), Carangi- by the fishing industry and this may al-
pools and over reefs down to a depth of 2001 based on a diver’s likelihood of RA = rare (sightings are exceptional); substrate or epipelagic forms that regu- dae (five), Pomacentridae (five), Labri- so have contributed to an apparent pop-
62 m, through underwater observations, observing a species in its normal habi- Habitat – where the species has usually larly associate with the reefs (such as dae (four), Serranidae (three), and ulation decline of C. galapagensis. An-
collections and photographs were done tat and depth range on any given dive, been found (adapted from Edwards & carangids, belonids, sharks and pelagic Scaridae (three). Six mon, nine (15.5%) thias salmopunctatus is endemic to St.
to give an good idea of what lives here where: AB = abundant (at least several Lubbock, 1983a), where: 1 = tide pools rays). Surveys of the abundance and the occasional, 13 (22.4%) common, seven Paul’s Rocks and was listed as vulnera-
and to be able to learn more about the sightings of many individuals – at least (either frequently or infrequently occurrence of juveniles and adults of (12.1%) very common, and six (10.3%) ble by IUCN. This species was com-
habitat of Atlantic reef fishes. 50 – can be expected on nearly every flushed by fresh seawater), 2 = littoral various sizes were used to estimate abundant. Nine of the 16 rare species mon on rock faces below 30 m, as, but
Three small clove oil stations were dive), VC = very common (at least sev- zone (spring-tidal range), 3 = Palythoa which members of the fish fauna are (Cephalopholis fulva, Lutjanus jocu, was not seen by our team. The St.
conducted aiming to survey cryptic fish eral sightings can be expected on nearly and Caulerpa zone (dominated by Pa- residents, i.e. have self-sustaining pop- Stegastes rocasensis, Clepticus Paul’s Gregory Stegastes sanctipauli,
not collectable using other methods. every dive, but not necessarily of many lythoa caribeorum, from the bottom of ulations, or vagrants, i.e. exceedingly brasiliensis, Thalassoma noronhanum, the brown chromis Chromis multilinea-
Six hours of underwater videos were individuals), CM = common (sightings the littoral zone down to 8 m, and by rare and probably arriving from other Sparisoma amplum, S. axillare, S. fron- ta, the black durgon Melichthys niger
filmed with a view to investigating fish are frequent, but not necessarily expect- Caulerpa, from 3 to about 30 m), 4 = sites. dosum, and Bathygobius soporator) do and the black jack Caranx lugubris
behaviour. Collected specimens were ed on every dive), OC = occasional sub-Caulerpa zone (from where not seem to have a self-sustaining pop- were the most visually abundant fishes
Caulerpa stops, at about 30 Results ulation and probably come from other in St. Paul’s Rocks and certainly ac-
m, to at least 60 m), 5 = slope Our team count for the most
4
and bay (gently sloping areas recorded a total 6 important part of
with patches of coarse sand, of 75 fish the fish biomass.
rubble and isolated loose species (25 new The latter two
rocks), and 6 = water column records) belong- species are usually
(offshore and over reefs, ing to 36 fami- found up to at least
pelagic habitat); Depth range lies. Fifty-eight 150 m from the
– range commonly seen in species were Rocks, forming
underwater observations; recorded over large aggregations
Geographic range of the reef areas (re- from just below
species; Trophic category – ferred to as “reef the surface down
determined from direct be- fishes”), eleven to about 30 m.
havioural observations and of which are Melichthys niger
available literature, where: midwater species appears to be com-
TH = territorial herbivores, that are regularly mon around isolat-
NT = non-territorial herbi- observed on ed oceanic islands.
vores, C = carnivores, P = reefs, and 47 are There are reports
planktivores, and O = omni- dependent on of the same abun-
vores. rocky-reef habi- dance for Ascen-
deposited in the fish collec- tats. Seventeen sion Island, Clip-
tions of the followings insti- 5 species are perton Atoll,
tutions: Universidade Federal pelagic and are Trindade Island,
da Paraíba, João Pessoa, not included in and to a minor de-
Paraíba, Brazil (UFPB); and the list below 6. Geographic distribution of St. Paul’s Rocks reef fishes. gree in the vicinity
Museu de Biologia Professor (new records are of Rocas Atoll and
Mello Leitão, Santa Tereza, in bold): Rhincodon typus Smith, 1829; sites where they are common (e.g. Fer- Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. Al-
Espírito Santo, Brazil Carcharhinus falciformis (Bibron in nando de Noronha Archipelago). most two-thirds (60.3%) of the reef fish
(MBML). Müller & Henle, 1839); Prionace glau- The population status of most of the species are carnivores, 15.5% plankti-
Data and the species list be- ca Linnaeus, 1758; Isurus oxyrinchus species between 1999 and 2001 seems vores, 8.6% omnivores, 8.6% territorial
low is based on the fishes ob- Rafinesque, 1810; Cypselurus to be nearly the same as that observed herbivores, and 6.9% non-territorial
served, photographed and col- cyanopterus (Valenciennes, 1847); Exo- in 1981, except for two species previ- herbivores. Stegastes sanctipauli is pri-
lected during four expedi- cetus volitans Linnaeus, 1758; Paraex- ously recorded were not observed by marily considered to be a territorial her-
tions, as well as on data from ocoetus sp.; Remora brachyptera our team: the Galapagos shark Car- bivore, but can also be opportunistic,
the literature and from fish- (Lowe, 1839); R. osteochir Cuvier, charhinus galapagensis and the St. sometimes preying upon fish eggs and
eries run by commercial fish- 1829; Remorina albescens (Temminck Paul’s anthias Anthias salmopunctatus. small benthic invertebrates. The same
ing boats. Bony fishes are & Schlegel, 1845); Coryphaena hippu- The abundance of sharks at St. Paul’s appears to be true of the sergeant major
listed in the phylogenetic or- rus Linnaeus, 1758; Acanthocybium Rocks has been noted by most early Abudefduf saxatilis (primarily treated
der of families, following solandri (Cuvier, 1832); Scombero- visitors and partly attributed to the lack as a ‘planktivore’) since it has mostly
Nelson (1994); elasmo- morus cavalla (Cuvier 1829); Thunnus of fishing activity. In the past two been seen in mid-water, clearly feeding
branchs are listed following albacares (Bonnaterre, 1788); T. obesus decades however, fishing pressure has on zooplankton. A. saxatilis has one of
4. Vertical cliff, the typical reef habitat of St. Paul’s Rocks. Photo by O. J. Luiz-Junior.
Compagno (1999). Within the 5. Underwater view at St. Paul’s Rocks, with the green algae Caulerpa sp. dominating most of the sublittoral zone. (Lowe, 1839); Makaira nigricans La- increased greatly, and sharks are now the most diversified food habits known,
families, species are organ- Photo by O. J. Luiz-Junior. cepède, 1802; and Mola sp. targeted due to the high commercial and may be observed in aggregations
well above reefs, feeding on zooplank- one in the Brazilian Province. Three are tween 3 and 45 m. This species had not breeding in a small, isolated popula- Paul’s is maintaining itself by self-re- remaining range of H. ciliaris in the
ton, or grazing on benthic algae, or on north-western Atlantic species, one of been recorded previously, probably be- tion. It suggests that no (or very few) cruitment, a process more common Western Atlantic. It is suggested a pos-
sessile animal life on the bottom. This which also occurs around the Fernando cause of its cryptic habits. recruits are arriving from other sites than previously thought. No such sible on-going differentiation for H. cil-
feeding flexibility probably enables op- de Noronha Ridge islands. One of the most remarkable features and the population of H. ciliaris at St. colour variation is observed across the iaris at the Rocks. Genetic and mor-
portunistic planktivores (e.g. S. sancti- Because of the prevailing currents, St. of St. Paul’s Rocks is the occurrence of
pauli and A. saxatilis) and the classic Paul’s reef fish fauna more closely re- different colour morphs of the queen
7d 7f
omnivores (e.g. M. niger) to numerical- sembles that of the Brazilian Province angelfish Holacanthus ciliaris. There
ly dominate harsh environments around than of the other mid-Atlantic Ridge is- are three basic colour morphs, yellow,
oceanic islands. lands of Ascension and St. Helena, with blue and white, and several variations
Of the 58 reef fishes recorded at St. about 80% of its reef fishes occurring and mixtures. Moreover, all colour
Paul’s Archipelago, 20 occur in the in the Brazilian Province. morphs differ from those in all other H.
western Atlantic, seven of which are St Paul’s Rocks supports four endemic ciliaris populations by having shorter
endemic to the shores of the Brazilian fish species. Our survey revealed the dorsal and anal fin filaments. The yel-
mainland and one to the Fernando de presence of a possible fifth endemic low morph was the most abundant pat-
Noronha Ridge islands. Thirteen are species of the genus Emblemariopsis tern observed at the Rocks, accounting
pan-Atlantic, 11 circumtropical, and from St. Paul’s Archipelago. This is the for about 95% of all observed morphs.
five are known primarily from the cen- first record of a chaenopsid in the area, Colour variations occurring in the H.
tral Atlantic islands, two of which also but a large population of Emblemariop- ciliaris population of St. Paul’s Rocks
occur in the eastern Atlantic coast and sis sp. has been observed at depths be- were attributed to the effects of in-
7a 7c
7e
7b
8
8. Emblema-
riopsis sp., a
possible fifth
endemic
species from
St. Paul‘s
Archipelago.
Photo by
B. M. Feitoza.
7a-f. Endemic fishes from the Central Atlantic Islands: a-d) St Paul’s; e-f) St. Paul’s, Ascension and St. Helena. a) Chaetodon obliquus; b) Enneanectes
smithi; Stegastes sanctipauli, c) juvenile and d) adult; e) Bodianus insularis; and f) Scorpaenodes insularis. Photos by B. M. Feitoza.
phological comparisons of H. ciliaris and taxonomic status of the queen an- port in 1981, a few presumed albinotic 10. Normal
populations across the Atlantic are gelfish population at St. Paul’s Rocks. or semi-albinotic Chromis multilineata
10 colour and
morphologi-
needed to better assess the inbreeding Since Lubbock & Edwards’ survey re- have been recorded from St. Paul’s
cal pattern of
Rocks. The supposed ‘albinism’ was al- Holacanthus
so related to inbreeding in a small pop-
9a 9e ciliaris from
ulation. However, C. multilineata is one Rio Grande
of the most abundant fish at the Rocks do Norte
since 1979. Despite the apparently coast, north-
eastern
large population, one presumed ‘semi-
Brazil.
albinotic’ specimen was observed and Photo by
photographed by our team. Our survey B. M. Feitoza.
revealed the presence at the Rocks of a
typical eastern Atlantic species: the
honeycomb moray Muraena melanotis.
This species is very similar to M.
pavonina with small but consistent dif-
ferences in colouration (which remain
9b 9f even after preservation) and the size of
the posterior nostril. Both species are
frequently misidentified, and records of
M. melanotis from the north-eastern
Brazilian mainland are probably
misidentifications of M. pavonina. Dur-
ing a six-year study off the north-east-
ern Brazilian coast, M. melanotis has 11 11. A presu-
med semi-
not been observed, whereas M. pavoni- albinotic
na was found at several sites. However, specimen of
the record of M. melanotis at Fernando Chromis
multilineata
de Noronha Archipelago and Rocas of St. Paul’s
Atoll appears to be correct. Adults of Rocks.
Photo by
9c 9g the two species can be readily distin- B. M. Feitoza.
guished by their colour patterns: dark
background with a white honeycomb-
like pattern (absent or indistinct on the
belly), with head spots becoming more
closely spaced (even fusing) towards
the snout in M. melanotis; and dark
background with round white spots ran-
domly placed (including belly), with
more widely-spaced head spots, becom-
ing almost absent towards the snout in
M. pavonina.
As the zoogeographical analysis im-
9d 9h plies, the fish fauna at St. Paul’s Rocks
is derived from that of the Brazilian
coast and/or Fernando de Noronha
Archipelago. Eventual dispersal of lar-
vae through the equatorial undercurrent juveniles of Stegastes rocasensis were (Acanthuridae). These fish have a very ment habitats (i.e. organic detritus)
may be presumed by the presence of seen at the bay. In the long run, moni- high dispersal potential and can main- could be reasons for their absence, as
vagrants of species probably coming toring programs should be implemented tain genetic homogeneity across long well as for the very low densities of
from Fernando de Noronha Archipel- in order to provide information on how distances suggesting that dispersal limi- scarids. Only two of the 27 algae con-
ago, where they are very common (e.g. species turnover occurs, the extent to tation could not be the main cause of sumed by the south-western Atlantic
Cephalopholis fulva, Lutjanus jocu, which vagrants arrive from distant their absence. Surgeonfishes are mainly surgeonfishes (Acanthurus spp.) off the
Stegastes rocasensis, Clepticus sources, and if they establish resident herbivores and/or detritivores, thus eco- Paraíba coast, north-eastern Brazil are
brasiliensis, Thalassoma noronhanum, populations. logical limitations such as the relatively known to occur at the Rocks. In addi-
9a-h. Colour variations observed in the queen angelfish Holacanthus ciliaris at St. Paul’s Rocks. a) Yellow Sparisoma spp., and Bathygobius sopo- St. Paul’s seems to be the only tropi- low algal diversity (with Caulerpa tion, it was found that fine sediment,
morph; b) blue morph; c) white morph; d-h) variations and mixtures between blue, yellow, orange and whi-
rator). A notable case was observed cal oceanic island that does not have a dominating most of the shallow habi- pre-sumably rich in organic matter (e.g.
te. Photos a, d, e and h by B. M. Feitoza; b, c, and g by O. J. Luiz-Junior; and f by E. Fritzche.
during September 2000, when about ten resident population of surgeonfishes tats), the lack of sandy and/or fine sedi- detritus), is one of the most important
12
12. The
honeycomb 14a
moray
Muraena
melanotis.
Photo by B.
M. Feitoza.
14b 14c
13
13. The
flagged
moray
Muraena
pavonina.
Photo by O.
J. Luiz-
Junior.
14. The Rocas Gregory Stegastes rocasensis. a) Vagrant juvenile from St. Paul’s; b) Juvenile from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago;
and c) adult from Rocas Atoll. Photos a and c by B. M. Feitoza, and b by L. A. Rocha.
15
food items of the ocean surgeonfish A. tions, such as cleaning , following be- Two client fishes, Chromis multilineata
bahianus and the doctorfish A. chirur- haviour, camouflage , and intraspecific and E. nigricans were seen being
gus. This food resource is virtually ab- aggression, such as territorial defence. cleaned by the shrimps. Cleaning
sent from the Rocks. It showed that de- These four associations were observed, events usually lasted for five to ten sec-
tritus is a valuable nutrient source for filmed and photographed at St. Paul’s onds.
grazing reef fishes, and that the bio- Rocks. Following behaviour is an opportunis-
mass of algae and detritus decreases Cleaning involves a cleaner species tic strategy that allows small gener-
from sheltered mid-shelf reefs to highly that removes ectoparasites and dead or alised predators (the followers) to capi-
exposed outer reefs. Goatfishes (Mulli- diseased tissue from the clients. Al- talise upon displacement or uncovering
dae) and flounders (Bothidae), which though no fish were seen acting as prey items, when potential predators,
are closely associated with unconsoli- cleaners at the Rocks, the Atlantic grazers or sand-flat feeders (the nuclear
dated substrate, are also missing at the White-Striped Cleaner Shrimp Lysmata species) cause habitat disturbances.
Rocks. grabhami, was seen in action. Cleaning Following behaviour involving two
stations were located either under rocks labrids (the island hogfish Bodianus in-
Inter- and intraspecific associations or in crevices, at depths of 6 to 60 m, sularis and the puddingwife Halicho-
Reef fishes are known to interact in a and contained one or two cleaner eres radiatus) and three follower
complex manner. Common interactions shrimps, always accompanied by a carangids (the horse-eye jack Caranx
involve interspecific feeding associa- viper moray Enchelycore nigricans. latus, the black jack C. lugubris and the 15. Lysmata grabhami cleaning station located at about 60 m depth. Photo by B. M. Feitoza.
16 1837. Intraspecific aggression appears species is Ophioblennius trinitatis, and species. It is now clear that marine the harvesting of high-priced, rare fish-
to be common among labrids and ag- it will be used here. species are not exempt from the effects es (especially the white and blue colour
gressive encounters are frequent. Two Three species do not have their taxo- of human impact and the risk of extinc- morphs of H. ciliaris) for the aquarium
initial phase coloured Halichoeres ra- nomic status well defined: Chromis aff. tion. Some characteristics could impose trade. The collection of some speci-
diatus were seen and photographed per- enchrysura, Starksia aff. sluiteri and risks to St. Paul’s reef fish populations, mens was recently observed and c)
forming agonistic behaviour; they posi- Malacoctenus aff. triangulatus. The se- such as: a) Restricted geographic range Fisheries – shark fin fisheries could not
tioned themselves mouth-to-mouth with nior author and other Brazilian ichthy- – the only reported case of extinction of be sustainable in such a small location
their dorsal and anal fins erected, losing ologists are currently trying to deter- a reef fish was an island-endemic as demonstrated by the apparent de-
interest and separating after about a mine their taxonomic status. species, at St. Paul’s, endemic species crease in shark populations in the past
minute. Most morays are known to live are at risk due to their limited distribu- two decades, coinciding with increasing
in crevices in reefs, usually hiding Conservation issues tion, and genetically distinct, isolated fishing pressure. By-catch in the lobster
alone with only the head protruding Despite being sporadically replenished populations should be treated as en- fishery is also a problem; some fishes
during the day, and foraging at night . with larvae from elsewhere, St. Paul’s demic species for conservation purpos- (mainly morays, M. niger and H. cil-
Some species, such as Gymnothorax Rocks also contains unique, self-sus- es; b) Aquarium trade – the isolation of iaris) were continually found in the
miliaris and Muraena pavonina forage taining populations and endemic St. Paul’s Rocks is not an obstacle for lobster traps utilised in commercial
in the open during the day. The Mu- fisheries . We
raenidae are the most speciose family at 18a thereby recom-
16. Following behaviour between Halichoeres radiatus (the nuclear species) and Caranx latus (the follower the Rocks and a large population has mend the estab-
species). Photo by B. M. Feitoza. been observed mainly at the bay and lishment of a ma-
other gently-sloping areas. Some rine protected area
17 species (G. miliaris, Muraena melan- in the Rocks, due
otis and M. pavonina) were frequently to the vulnerability
observed performing both an intra and of its isolated fau-
interspecifc ‘friendly’ behaviour, stay- na.
ing together in the same hole or even
interlacing one with each other. Similar
behaviour has been observed only a
few times at the coast of Paraíba State,
in north-eastern Brazil, where two
specimens of Gymnothorax vicinus
sporadically occupied the same hole.
18b
Taxonomic comments
The manta ray tentatively identified is
probably M. tarapacana, since it was
frequently observed in the vicinity of
17. Aggression between two Halichoeres radiatus males. Photo by B. M. Feitoza. the Rocks.
The trumpetfish from St. Paul’s was
blue runner Carangoides crysos), was bile near Caulerpa turfs; or hiding it- previously identified as Aulostomus
recorded from St. Paul’s. All three self, aligning with other fish. On the maculatus, presumably because of its
carangid species were seen following former occasion, A. strigosus drifted morphological similarities with that
both B. insularis and H. radiatus. Fol- through the water column about 0.6 m species. Genetically, however, it is
lowing behaviour involving labrids and or less above the substrate close to more similar to the Eastern Atlantic and
carangids in the Western Atlantic has rocks or remained still near Caulerpa coastal Brazilian A. strigosus.
also been recorded: Halichoeres radia- turfs, striking approaching small fishes The blue runner is now valid as
tus vs. Carangoides ruber; and the with a sudden lunge. A. strigosus was Carangoides crysos. The Brazilian 18c
Spanish hogfish Bodianus rufus, the observed several times aligning with chromis is the brown chromis C. multi-
spotfin hogfish B. pulchellus and the and swimming close to the whitespot- lineata. 18a-c. ‘Friendly’
blackear wrasse Halichoeres poeyi vs. ted filefish Cantherhines macrocerus, The parrotfish is the saddled parrot- behaviour between
but no attack was recorded. It also pre- fish S. frondosum, according to the de- morays: a) Muraena
Caranx latus. pavonina and
Various forms of camouflage are sented various colour patterns and was scription provided and field observa- M. pavonina;
widely used among reef fishes as a seen changing colour according to the tions made by our team. b) M. pavonina
means of obtaining food. The Atlantic background, becoming yellowish, A recent genetic analysis demonstrat- and Gymnothorax
miliaris; and
cornetfish Aulostomus strigosus was greenish or striped when approaching ed that the Ophioblennius species at St. c) M. pavonina and
seen using one of two forms of camou- Caulerpa turf, or dark when swimming Paul’s Rocks is distinct from the M. melanotis.
flage: solitarily, making itself “invisi- close to the filefish. Similar behaviour Caribbean species and identical to that Photos a and c
by O. Luiz-Junior;
ble” both drifting vertically orientated has been described for its congener, the from the Brazilian coast and Trindade and b by B. M.
through the water column, and immo- trumpetfish A. maculatus Valeciennes, island. The available name for this Feitoza.
List of fish species at St. Paul´s Rock
Family / Species Depht range (m) Family / Species Depht range (m)
CARCHARHINIDAE White morph 30 – 50

Carcharhinus galapagensis (Snodgrass & Heller, 1905) 8 – 36 Other colour morphs 2 – 60
Pomacanthus paru (Bloch, 1787) 2 – 30
SPHYRNIDAE
Sphyrna sp. 0 – 40 KYPHOSIDAE
Kyphosus sectatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) 0 – 25
MOBULIDAE
Mobula tarapacana (Philippi, 1893) 0 – 30 POMACENTRIDAE
Abudefduf saxatilis
MURAENIDAE (Linnaeus, 1758) 0 – 20
Channomuraena vittata (Richardson, 1845) 15 – 30 Chromis aff. enchrysura
Enchelycore anatina (Lowe, 1841) 3 – 60 Jordan & Gilbert, 40 – 70
Enchelycore nigricans (Bonnaterre, 1788) 2 – 60 Chromis multilineata
Gymnothorax funebris Ranzani, 1840 0 – 50 (Guichenot, 1855) 0 – 60
Gymnothorax miliaris (Kaup, 1856) 2 – 40 Stegastes rocasensis
Muraena melanotis (Kaup, 1859) 3 – 60 (Emery, 1972) 2 – 10
Muraena pavonina Richardson, 1844 2 – 60 Stegastes sanctipauli
Lubbock & Edwards, 1981 0 – 60
BELONIDAE
Ablennes hians (Valenciennes 1846) 0–3 LABRIDAE
Strongylura timucu (Walbaum 1792) 0–3 Bodianus insularis
Gomon & Lubbock, 1980 6 – 60
HOLOCENTRIDAE Clepticus brasiliensis
Holocentrus ascensionis (Osbeck, 1765) 2 – 60 Heiser, Moura & Robertson, 2000 5 – 25
Myripristis jacobus Cuvier, 1829 2 – 30 Halichoeres radiatus (Linnaeus, 1758) 2 – 30
Thalassoma noronhanum (Boulenger, 1890) 2 – 10
AULOSTOMIDAE
Aulostomus aff. strigosus Wheeler, 1955 2 – 30 SCARIDAE
Sparisoma amplum (Ranzani, 1842) 15 – 30
DACTYLOPTERIDAE Sparisoma axillare (Steindachner, 1878) 10 – 30
Dactylopterus volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) 0 – 30 Sparisoma frondosum (Agassiz, 1831) 10 – 30
SCORPAENIDAE TRIPTERYGIIDAE
Scorpaena sp. 25 – 30 Enneanectes smithi Lubbock & Edwards, 1981 2 – 25
Scorpaenodes insularis Eschmeyer, 1971 5 – 35
LABRISOMIDAE
SERRANIDAE Malacoctenus aff. triangulatus Springer, 1958 0 – 40
Anthias salmopunctatus Lubbock & Edwards, >30 Starksia aff. sluiteri (Metzelaar, 1919) 2 – 40
Cephalopholis fulva (Linnaeus, 1758) 2 – 35
Rypticus saponaceus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) 2 – 62 CHAENOPSIDAE
Emblemariopsis sp. 2 – 60
APOGONIDAE
Apogon americanus Castelnau, 1855 0 – 40 BLENNIIDAE
Entomacrodus vomerinus (Valenciennes, 1836) 0–1
CARANGIDAE Ophioblennius trinitatis Miranda-Ribeiro, 1919 0 – 50
Carangoides bartholomaei (Cuvier, 1833) 0 – 40
Carangoides crysos (Mitchill, 1815) 0 – 40 GOBIIDAE
Caranx latus Agassiz, 1829 1 – 30 Bathygobius soporator (Valenciennes, 1837) 0–1
Caranx lugubris Poey, 1860 0 – 70 SPHYRAENIDAE
Elagatis bipinnulata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) 0 – 40 Sphyraena barracuda (Walbaum, 1792) 0 – 60
LUTJANIDAE BALISTIDAE
Lutjanus jocu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) 2 – 40 Canthidermis sufflamen (Mitchill, 1915) 5 – 60
Melichthys niger (Bloch, 1786) 0 – 70
CHAETODONTIDAE
Chaetodon obliquus Lubbock & Edwards, 1980 30 – 70 MONACANTHIDAE
Chaetodon striatus Linnaeus, 1758 2 – 55 Aluterus scriptus (Osbeck, 1765) 2 – 40
Cantherhines macrocerus (Hollard, 1854) 2 – 40
POMACANTHIDAE The photos above show how some fascinating anemonefishes (here Amphriprion chagoensis from the Pazific) live in nature. This should be done exactly
Holacanthus ciliaris (Linnaeus, 1758) 2 – 60 DIODONTIDAE the same in aquaria. They live in symbiosis with the anemone (here Heteractis magnifica – and note as this anemone has even settled in a large sponge,
Blue morph 2 – 60 Diodon hystrix Linnaeus, 1758 2 – 25 photo in the centre). And when these fishes feal at “home”, they show amazing colours. Note how their bands turn from marine blue
(upper right, left and center right photos), to partly blue (center left and below left photos) to completely white (photos below and on top center).
INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM St. Paul’s Rocks St. Paul’s Rocks INFORMATIONS FOR THE AQUARIUM
There are excellent books on marine
aquaria in a good libary or in a 1 2 9 10
Some more species, ideal for an
home (marine) aquarium, again
petshop available, it does not have from the Atlantic Ocean, the area
enough space in this catalogue to between Rio de janeiro and the
go into the those details. But one mouth of the Amazon – but not
thing, as with all fishes and aquaria, limited to (as some are also
should also be clear for a the marine found in the Caribbean Sea
aquarium, that is, that its decoration and further up north).
and the contents (fishes and 9. Bodianus rufus, adult fish.
invertebrates) should come from a 10. Elacatinus figaro, adult – it does
certain area – that is a biotope, to be not grow very large – up to 3.5 cm,
correct and in harmony. I show and was only recently described.
here some of the species which are 11. Gramma brasiliensis, also adult
found along the Atlantic coast of and also a small fish – up to 7 cm.
Brazil, specially north of Rio de 12. Malacoctenus cf. triangularis, a
janeiro, up to near of the mouth beautiful only up to 7.5 cm long fish.
of the Amazon, which are ideal for 13. Holacanthus ciliaris is another
such a biotope aquarium (and with beauty, but it can grow up to 45 cm.
less invertebrates, as they are not And two typical invertebrate
as plentyful in those areas). These
species are also (in many parts) 3 4 11 12
for such aquarium:
14. Meandrina brasiliensis, and
available in the hobby 15. Condylactis species.
(exported from Brazil).
1. Acanthurus coelestis.
Juvenile blue animal.
2. A coelestis. Juvenile
yellow animal.
3. A. coelestis adult animal.
4. Pomacanthus arcuatus,
semi-adult.
5. P. arcuatus, juvenile animal.
6. Segastes variabilis, juvenile fish.
7. S. variabilis, adult fish.
8. S. variabilis, semi-adult fish.
Note: Shown here are several
species in their juvenile,
semi-adult and often even
in their adult colours,
to understnd how the colours
change with the age. 5 6 13 14
7 8 15
BIOTOPE Cardinals Neons BIOTOPE
106 Bleher’s Biotope in Nature and in Aquaria Bleher’s Biotope in Nature and in Aquaria 107
BIOTOPE AQUARIUM Neons & Cardenals Neons & Cardenals BIOTOPE AQUARIUM
To the text of the biotope Introduction cm, and if possible 100-150 cm (or more), in or 40-50 medium cardinals in a 120 litre
aquariums for Neon and Cardinal Nowadays we live in a world where length, with a width and depth of at least 40 aquarium without worries. In addition, a neon
tetras (and note, that for the blue “wildlife conservation” and “appropriate ani- cm (the wider the better, for ease of setting aquarium of this size can house about 10
Neon, Paracheirodon simulans, mal husbandry” are written about extens-ive- up and from the viewpoint of the fishes). Use dwarf cichlids of the genus Apistogramma
the habitat is the same as for the ly and the subject of legislation in many very fine white sand for the substrate. Then (ideally A. cacatuoides or A. bitaeniata), 6-8
Cardinal tetra, as they live in
countries, including much of the European position one or two pieces of well-washed splash tetras (Copella species), the same
identical biotopes), here three
more samples of how to Union. People are no longer allowed to keep bogwood or driftwood. Half fill the tank with number of pencilfishes (Nannostomus mar-
decorate it (or not). animals – or do anything, for that matter – water before adding the following aquatic ginatus marginatus, N. m. mortenthaleri, or
Aquarium left: according to their own ideas, and we must plants, if possible: a Cabomba species (C. N. eques - or 2 of the three). You will need a
Here we see adecoration for bear in mind that sooner or later it will like- furcata or C. aquatica), and a reasonable few dwarf suckermouth catfishes (Otocinclus
a Cardinal biotope which is wise become obligatory to keep ornamental amount of it; then a few tiger lotus arnoldi) and mailed catfishes (Corydoras ele-
in part correct, at least most fishes “in the proper way” for the species in (Nymphaea lotus) of varying sizes; one of gans or C. leucomelas) – in each case about
of it. The Aponogeton ulvaceus
in the far left is wrong and the
question. But how many people actually the pennyworts (Hydrocotyle leucocephala or 12 indviduals. For the cardinal tetra aquarium
Sagittaria platyphylla in the know what the proper way is for any particu- H. ranunculoides); plus the aquatic moss the general composition of the fish popula-
forground as well. Better to lave a lar species? How are they to find out? Nei- Mayaca fluviatilis or Bleher’s swordplant tion can be similar, but omitting N. m. mor-
sandy space open and ad a drift ther the legislators nor the existing hobby lit- (Echinodorus bleheri) – although the last two tenthaleri, and substituting just C. schwartzi
wood piece. Also maybe some other erature offer any concrete help. How so? Be- are not in fact biotope-correct, they are well as the mailed catfish and, as the dwarf cich-
fishes (as mentioned in the text). cause only a handful of people have conduct- suited to the cardinal tetra aquarium. You lids, only Apistogramma mendezi or A. stein-
ed on-the-spot research and the legislat-ors may also like to include two other sword- dachneri or A. iniridae, and adding 20-30
rely almost entirely on their data. In rare cas- plants, E. parviflorus and E. horizontalis, in brilliant rummy-nose tetras (Hemigrammus
es this may mean information from just one the neon tetra aquarium. Both these Echin- bleheri). Both biotopes can also include
expert. Assuming there is one! odorus species occur in the biotope of the about 6 marbled hatchetfishes (Carnegiella
In addition we will show you how best to neon tetra, but there are no swordplants in the strigata). Larger fishes are not recommended,
Aquarium left: simulate the natural habitat of these fishes in natural habitat of the cardinal. Once the apart from the angelfish (Pterophyllum
This was to be a biotope Neon plants have been set in place, the rest of the
your home, so that you not only maintain scalare) and then only 3 or 4 small speci-
tetras and is also not bad, but
sgould definately have white them in the “proper way” but also find them water can be carefully added. mens. For larger or smaller aquaria the popu-
sand between the rocks and a source of immeasurable enjoyment. If your aquarium does not have an integ-ral lation can be increased or reduced pro rata.
driftwood is missing – actually filter, then you can choose a suitable external General: maintain the water temperature at
needed. One can argue about the The neon and cardinal tetra aquarium filter. Either way, it is import-ant that initially 25-27 °C and allow 10-12 hours of good
Hygrophila difformis in the right First and foremost, we implore you to buy the filter media consists of mechanical and lighting. The water should not be too hard
corner, and also the H. polisperma your tetras ONLY at a retail outlet you can biological media along with activated carbon. and have a neutral pH (about 7) – but a lower
in the background (both from
trust. One where the fishes are visibly main- Let the filter mature, and do not add your pH will produce better coloration in the fish-
Asia), but the others are South
Americxan species, although tained and cared for properly (eg no dead or fishes until the minimum of one week has es. Change the peat regularly, and periodical-
none from a ral neon habitat, dying specimens floating around), and where elapsed. (Note: Once your aquarium is bio- ly wash your filter media in warm water. It
except the Echinodorus tenellus all purchases are netted and packed with the logically balanced and the water clear, you remains to wish you good luck.
in the forground, which are utmost care – always remember, these are can discontinue the activ-ated carbon medi-
from the Neon biotope area. living creatures just like you, and should be um and replace it with peat to provide opti-
treated accordingly. But, before you buy a mum water conditions for this particulary
single fish your tank must be established, ie biotope).
set up and the filter matured for at least 7 The fish population for the aquarium: As
days. mentioned initially, find a reliable dealer.
Setting up the aquarium: first of all, bear Purchase a nice shoal of neons or cardinals –
in mind that both species are shoaling fishes, the number will depend on the size of your
and hence the aquarium should be at least 80 aquarium: you can keep 50-60 medium neons
Here is a 2 m long biotope aquarium for cardi- This aquarium had 250
Aquarium left:
nal tetras that we have set up at the Aqua-Xpo Cardinals, 100 brilliant rummy
Here we see an
2001 in Hasselt, Belgium, at the world’s largest nose tetra (Hemigrammus
authintic, natural biotope
aquarium exhibition. It was set up to simulate bleheri), 25 Corydoras species,
(as right side) for cardenal tetras.
precisely how these fishes live in the affluents of 40 Otocinclus, 30 Nannostomus
And one can see that all fishes feal
the middle Rio Negro, with the number of fishes (N. eques, N. marginatus, N. uni-
very well, like at “home”, although
that would be found in this volume of water fasciatus), red and green Caboma,
they have just been placed in the
(480 liter) in nature. Nymphaea and Hydrocotyle.
tank. They swim immediately
in schools together with
Hemigrammus bleheri, exactly
as in nature.
Even the Corydoras join in
(left corner). This shows again,
that a real (close to nature)
biotope aquarium brings
happyness to the fishes and
also to the owner of
the aquarium...
108 aquarium catalogue Bleher’s Biotope in Nature and in Aquaria 109

BIOTOPE Guppy Guppy BIOTOPE
BIOTOPE AQUARIUM Guppy Guppy BIOTOPE AQUARIUM
The Guppy Aquarium grophila guianensis (small-leaved willowleaf, These “suckermouth cats” remain small and
Every beginner in the aquarium hobby H. polysperma, will do instead). The dwarf eat unsightly algae. They do not in fact occur
should start with guppies – but experienced chain sword (Echinodorus tenellus) is ideal in the natural habitat, where there are instead
aquarists can likewise find great pleasure in for the foreground; it will form a carpet other suckermouths, of the genus Hyposto-
these swimming rainbows. But everyone above which the fishes will be seen to best mus, but the latter are not recommended as
should first of all ask themselves, “Do I want effect. Alternatively you can use the some- they grow too large and may nibble the
an aquarium with a population of wild-type what larger dwarf swordplant E. quadricosta- plants. Another catfish that does occur in the
guppies, or would I prefer a “tapestry” of the tus (see below, left-hand biotope). And, final- biotope is the bronze catfish (Corydoras
larger cultivated forms – or a mixture of both ly, one to three specimens of the larger aeneus), ideal for sandy substrates. It you de-
types?” The wild forms are more active. It is swordplant E. horizontalis or E. osiris (as in cide to keep these then make sure you have a
easier to observe their courtship, and they the left-hand corner of the biotope below left) small group and that you leave an area of
breed more rapidly. On the other hand, the which is highly decorative. You can also open sand as they like to “nose around” in
“fancy” types give the aquarium more colour. plant lots of Ludwigia repens (as in the the substrate for small organisms.
Once that is decided – there is plenty of ad- biotope below right) – again very atractive When you buy your fishes don’t forget that
vice in the literature and on the Internet (eg at decoration. the trade almost always offers cultivated
www.altavista.com search for: Guppies, Put in the sand, wood, and rocks, then half- forms of guppies, swordtails, and platies, and
“Poecilia reticulata”) – then you can decide fill the aquarium with water before planting. these, of course, are not found in nature. So,
which types you like best and visit a high- Finally fill up the aquarium. Always bear in if you want to be “biotope correct” you will
quality dealer to obtain healthy stock – never mind that guppies feel particularly happy and have to hunt for wild fish or captive-bred
buy guppies that can’t swim properly, or show their best colours with good plant wild forms. They are available, and then you
from tanks where there are fish lying on their growth as cover. So don’t stint on the plants. can proudly display an aquatic microcosm
sides, wobbling around, or even dead. But, If the aquarium purchased doesn’t include a representing Venezuela, Trinidad, or even
before you buy any fishes, you must first set built-in filter, then you can add either an in- Mexico in your home. And you will certainly
up their aquarium. ternal or an external. The filter should be learn more than from the cultivated forms.
Setting up the aquarium: When buying an filled with biological media, and if you use a General: Maintain the water temperature
aquarium, always remember that the larger biological starter then you can add your fish- at 24-27°C and light the aquarium for 10-12
the aquarium the more attractive it will look, es a day later. hours each day. The water should be slightly
and the more space the fishes will have for Fishes for the aquarium: As already men- alkaline, pH values below 7 are unnecessary.
swimming. But a 60 (long) x 30-35 tioned, choose the guppies you like. As a rule Let the biological filter media do their job
(wide/deep – the wider the better where the of thumb you can add 1 cm of fish per 2 and change some of the water regularly.
decor is concerned) cm will suffice in this litres of aquarium water, ie a 60 litre aquari- The only other thing these little splashes of
case. um will house 30 cm of fish or 15 male gup- colour need for successful maintenance and
If possible, obtain some fine white sand or pies at 2 cm (average adult body length) regular breeding is food. And you will have
light quartz gravel for the substrate – about a apiece. Note that this rule is based on the hands-on experience of evolution in your
5 cm layer is required, a little deeper at the body length (= Standard Length, SL), ie not biotope-in-miniature.
back. First rinse your new tank well with including the tail. If you want to keep other
warm water – no soap or detergent! – and fishes with your guppies, then we recom-
check whether the sand has been well washed mend other livebearers of the family Poecili-
(regardless of what it claims on the packing). idae, eg green or red swordtails (Xiphophorus
For decor we recommend a few nice pieces helleri) and platies (Xiphophorus maculatus),
of bogwood and stones, and a good selection which are available in numerous colour vari-
of attractive aquatic plants. Particularly good eties at any good aquarium store. Other good
(and biotope correct) choices include Cabom- tankmates include bristlenose catfishes such
ba species and the Guiana willowleaf, Hy- as Ancistrus hoplogenys and A. temminckii.
Above 3 suggestions for a Guppy biotope aquarium (pros and counter): The upper aquarium is nicely decorated, and a real good display for a
Guppy aquarium, almost nothing to counter. (you only have to choose, which kind of Guppies you prefere, I would place wild ones,
as on the previous page). Center is defiantely fine, but please not Aponogeton fenestralis (=Madagascar...). These two Guppy aquarium decorations are actually more Guppy nature biotope like, but the Guppies in both are Guppies from breeding stock,
And the lower aquarium:is the taste of Buddha? (maybebecause the Guppies breed in Asia?). In any event, the rest of the decoration is nice, this is a question of taste. But what makes it nice: lots of plants and only Guppies, no other fishes mixed into it.
and if tank breed Guppies imported from Singapore, why not a Buddha... This is nice, specielly for a small aquarium.
BIOTOPE Angelfish Angelfish BIOTOPE
BIOTOPE AQUARIUM Angelfish Angelfish BIOTOPE AQUARIUM
Three sample decorations for angelfish The angelfish aquarium large-leaved horizontal swordplant (Echino- different with a population of only, or mainly,
biotopes (the pro and counter): Almost everyone who starts maintaining an dorus horizontalis). The common angelfish tank-bred angelfishes or cultivated forms. Or,
Aquarium left: This is a very nice nature-like aquarium sooner or later becomes aware of and Bleher’s swordplant (E. bleheri) are a if you deviate from the actual biotope and
biotope, almost authentic to the Rio Nanay,
the angelfish. It is – and always has been – a good combination. But in all cases a few mix cultivated discus varieties with wild-
where these wild angels come from.
They felt immedately perfect. In hamony. majestic creature, an (almost) indispensable large swordplants. You may also care to in- caught angelfishes – and Altum angelfishes
Aquarium in the middle: This is an authentic adornment for any underwater landscape. Its clude – more for the foreground and between (which we really do not recommend), then
angelfish biotope from the Rio Mineruá, in the elegance, its extremely long fins (present in the pieces of bogwood – the dwarf, grass-like you can add plants that are alien to the
Amazon. The angels live together with green all but a few cultivated forms), jerky swim- swordplants (E. quadricostatus and E. tenel- biotope. It is, however, important always to
discus and swam with the same immediately ming movements, inquisitive look, and its lus), both of which are carpet-forming. For allow a large amount of open swimming
after placed in the aquariu, formed a natural constantly repeated search (in adults) for a the sides (or in between) Hydrocotyle leuco- space for angelfishes.
school, as in their habitat. And one should
remember: do never place wild fishes together
nice big leaf (or undisturbed spot on the cephala and a further group of Hygrophila The fish population for the aquarium:
with tank raise specimens, it can cause (and most aquarium glass) on which to lay its eggs, all guyanensis. You must, of course, decide for Here the question arises: do you want to be
of the times) big problems.Wild with wild is fine. provide endless fascination. Likewise the yourself whether or not to add lots more biotope correct, as then you should mix only
Aquariums below: If one is to have tank raised way two individuals sometimes face up to plant species. Those mentioned are wild-caught individuals or tank-breds of nat-
angelfishes, than please put, as here shown, each other with widespread fins, as if in ri- biotopecorrect, except that the majority of an- ural forms (ie one, two, or all three of the
only those together. The decoration is for these valry, is a real wow. This is, however, not ac- gelfishes do not occur in areas where aquatic species mentioned: P. scalare, P. altum, P.
up to its owner, as such altered colour variants tual aggressive behaviour, as these are truly plants grow. Like discus, for the most part leopoldi). Next there is the question of small
have little of the gen from the wild angels left...
the most peaceful of fishes – like discus, their they make their homes among roots, branch- specimens or those already adult: if small in-
close relatives, often found together with the es, and fallen trees, as well as trailing green- dividuals, then start with a group of 8-12 in
angelfish in nature. (But P. altum and P. ery (at high water). The tank will look rather the size of tank cited. Fewer if larger, and
leopoldi are not found with Altums only about
with discus in nature.) 4 in 100 l. As tankmates
Now if you want to in such a tank you can
provide this former king add a group of mailed
of the aquarium fishes catfishes (eg 6-8 Cory-
with an optimal home doras leucomelas, C. at-
and enjoy it to the full, ropersonatus, C. triline-
here are a few simple taus, or a mixture).
suggestions as regards to About 10 Otocinclus
the biotope. arnoldi to eat algae. Plus
Setting up the 1-2 groups of tetras will
aquarium: As usual, the look nice. About 10 bril-
larger the better, but for liant rummynose tetras
the angelfish the aquari- (Hemigrammus bleheri)
um should be at least and 6-8 bleeding heart
100 cm long and 35 cm tetras (Hyphessobrycon
wide (or wider), and 40- erythrostigma). Always
50 cm deep. (For Altum remember that the total
angelfishes at least 120 number of fishes de-
cm long and 60 cm This is a good biotope aquarium decoration for angelfishes, pends on the rule: 1 cm
deep.) We also unre- although there are, together with the wild angels also of fish per 2 l of aquari-
tank raised ones – it is still ok.
servedly recommend um water.
(biotope correct) fine General: The water
white sand. This should The decoration for temperature should be
be at least 5 cm deep this aquarium is fine, 25-29°C (max. 30°C);
(8-10 cm deep at the but not the composition The lighting should be
rear) – and, of course of fishes. Here we have on for 10-12 hours per
previously well washed wild angel-fishes day; the pH about 7 – up
(always check sand sold (Pt. scalare and to 8 doesn’t matter too
as “washed”). A number Pt. altum) and tank much (except for Al-
breed brilliant
of nice pieces of bog- discus. This shouild tums); allow biological
wood are indispensable never we done. filter media to do their
– either pre-soaked or work; change water now
weathered over a long and then; feed young
period. If you want to specimens several times
add rocks then please daily, adults once per
use rounded ones, as the day; and that’s it. And
fishes may injure them- then you will have many
selves on sharp rocks. It hours of educational
is advisable to plant the viewing – often better
aquarium: as can be seen than the TV.
from the biotope aquari-
um below left, the so-
called Peruvian Altum is
often found with the
BIOTOPE Goldfish Goldfish BIOTOPE
BIOTOPE AQUARIUM Goldfish Goldfish BIOTOPE AQUARIUM
The Goldfish Aquarium ria, and provide micro-organisms with sur- part of the background, should be densely
Every newcomer to the aquarium hobby faces to colonise. And thriving plants are planted with such plants, as goldfishes also
should start with guppies or a goldfish the most effective answer to algae. Two need a place to hide. Vallis grows well un-
aquarium (and experienced aquarists can groups of plants are advisable (as plants are der fairly bright lighting (and maybe CO2
enjoy them too). Goldfishes are amongst part of the goldfish’s natural diet, but they fertilisation). Other suggestions are a wa-
the hardiest ornamental fishes, and this is nibble only at soft-leaved plants, and at terlily (eg Nuphar lutea), which likewise
one of the reasons they have been kept for small or new, tender leaves). One group won’t be eaten, a Bacopa species, and Java
more than a thousand years. Today the orig- should be a more robust type such as vallis moss (Vesicularia dubyana), in which gold-
inal goldfish is still found in the waters of (Vallisneria species), which is both suitable fishes love to search for small invertebrates.
China, which freeze during the winter and biotope-correct. One end of the tank, or Useful plants for “snacking” imclude, for
months. It lives beneath the ice (and some- example pondweed, Egeria densa or Elodea
times in it), at temperatures around freezing canadensis, which grow rapidly (they can
point, and survives. In the same biotope readily be propagated in another tank and
where in summer the water heats up to transferred as and when required); or horn-
more than 30 °C – I have measured up to wort (Ceratophyllum demersum), which
41 °C. will generally continue to grow floating –
These are points that should also be borne given good light. If you decide on an open-
in mind when purchasing goldfishes (young topped tank then floating plants such as
or old), and, of course, you must decide water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) or riccia
whether to keep them in a pond, an aquari- (Riccia fluitans) can be added. Other decor
um, or perhaps even in a paludarium. The can include basalt, granite, or lava rocks, as
traditional Asian method, still practised to- well as well-weathered bogwood.
day, of keeping them in open-topped earth- Fishes for the aquarium: This is largely
enware basins, porcelain bowls, or vessels a matter of personal taste. On pages 5-6 you
of jade has never really spread further will see a few of the many variations in
afield, and for a number of reasons is best shape and colour. Basically, I suggest
reserved for specialists and for the more ex- avoiding the forms intended to be viewed
treme forms, and hence I will not discuss it from above, such as celestials, bubble-eyes,
here. Likewise the goldfish bowl (in the in- and buffaloheads. Telescope-eyes should al-
terests of appropriate maintenance as well). so be viewed with caution, as the eyes pro-
From the viewpoint of the (normal) gold- trude so far that they can easily be injured
fish a pond is the ideal habitat, and this is (especially during netting). Recommended
generally the only environment where it forms include: veiltails – red/white (also
will breed without the intervention of the called sarasa) or the colourful calico; the
owner. But I won’t go into pond mainte- type of veiltail first bred in the USA which
nance here either, as there are (almost) in- is less high-backed; veiltail fantails, a west-
numerable publications on the subject, and ern form; comets, Bristol shubunkins, Lon-
instead we will deal with the aquarium don shubunkins; plus orandas, lionheads, or
maintenance of goldfishes and provide a eggfishes. (The last of these has almost died
few simple (biotope) suggestions. As an out, definitely only a cultural loss.) It is im-
aside, however, I do also recommend orna- portant not to try and keep any of these
mental carp for a pond, and that the pond forms at low temperatures like common
should be populated with a natural, native goldfishes. The very fancy varieties are ac-
fauna and flora. climated to warmer temperatures.
Setting up the aquarium: From an General: Goldfishes require good lighting
aquarium ecology viewpoint, the same gen- and and a suitable power filter that turns
What can be said or shown for a goldfish biotope? Practic all
forms of goldfishes today in the hobby are fishes changed by man
eral principles apply to a goldfish aquarium over the aquarium volume a minimum of 2
(some to the most abstract forms and colours). And I can hardly as for (almost all) other aquaria. In other to 3 times every hour. A heater is unneces-
suggest any of the three aquarium decorations shown on this words, don’t allow anyone to tell you a sary as long as the water temperature does-
page, for gold-fishes. But let me shortly mention one by one. small aquarium will suffice for goldfishes. I n’t drop below 18 or 17 °C in winter. Allow
Aquarium on top: this is a table aquarium – closed from the top recommend a tank at least 100 cm long the planted aquarium to run without fishes
(I think made in Russia), those fishes will suffer very much (they need swimming space, just like dis- for 14 days to allow it to mature biological-
and it is not good (although looks nice). cus, for example) and 35 cm wide (the ly (this will also allow the plants to root),
Aquarium in the center: This kind of decoration is already some-
what better, but not with Echinodorus uriguayensis – much better
wider the better), and at least as deep. Use allow your goldfishes adequate swimming
lots of large Vallisneria in the background and a few Nymphaea medium (grain size 0.2-0.6 mm) or coarse space, and don’t overpopulate the tank: as
species instead. Also, it should have some natural gravel on the (0.6-2.0 mm) sand, never more than 2 mm a rule of thumb, 1 cm fish (total length) per
bottom and not lava stones. The larger stones are ok. as goldfishes like to dig. Fill the tank with 3 litres of water.
Aquarium to the left: This is terrible, and murder for goldfish. this to a depth of 5 cm – somewhat more
My grandfather already condemd the round glasses (this was towards the rear – but only after rinsing out
back in the late 19th century, when people started to relize, that the tank with warm water and making sure
such round glasses drive the fishes insane, as they must swim
in circles all the time, and that is the same if we had to walk that the sand is also well washed. Don’t for-
our entire life in circles...). Theplants and get to include some (true) aquatic plants
These two biotopes above are more goldfish like.
decoration is nice, but not the round tank... (often people think goldfishes don’t need The upper is the typical pond, ideal for goldfishes –
them, or eat them). The plants will enrich even in the winter – with Nymphaea in it.
the water with oxygen, utilise the inevitable The aquarium above is actually an paladarium
metabolic by-products of fishes and bacte- and a perfect environment for goldfishes
Bleher’s Discus – A Monograph
An unsurpassed and comprehensive
study of the genus Symphysodon
Whether it was the Emperor Napoleon or Prince von Metternich who was responsible for the original discovery of the discus is some-
thing the reader himself must decide, but the rest of this more than 1300 page work – published in two volumes – is far from ambivalent.
In Volume 1 – containing around 5000 photos, paintings, and drawings, plus some 50 maps – Heiko Bleher first of all guides you
through more than 150 years of discovery, documented in the finest detail. He brings to life all the scientists who have worked on the
genus – with in part unpublished work and photos – and, after almost half a century of debate regarding the systematics of the genus,
provides a new and easy-to-understand summary of the taxonomy. Next, the distribution of the genus and the individual species is
shown practically down to the smallest igarapé or lago, on eight double-page maps. For the first time with precise details of water type,
researched in the field. In the fourth chapter Bleher covers all the wild forms known to date (some hitherto unpublished) and their
colour variants, in words and photos – the results of his more than 300 research and collecting expeditions. The locality data have been
extensively checked in the field over the years up to 2005. In Chapter 5 he guides the reader through the history of Amazonia – back
to the time of its discovery – and tells extensively about the early history of the region and the numerous indian tribes (mainly personal
experiences among the aboriginals). In addition the natural habitats of the discus are described and illustrated, with water parameters
(measured by both day and night) given for 75 different locations; almost every major water in Amazonia is mentioned at length, with
details of which form(s) do or do not occur there; and places that remain unexplored to date are listed. He also details extensively –
more than 80 pages – the diet of the discus in nature, the communities of which it forms part (with sympatric species listed)
and its enemies, as well as the various methods of capture used from the beginning to the present day.
Aquapress Publishers Via G. Falcone 11 – 27010 Miradolo Terme (PV) Italy

Tel. +39 0382754707 – Fax +39 0382754129 – aquapress@aquapress-bleher.it – www.aquapress-bleher.com

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exclusively from Aquapress Publishers. I must say that

it was an immense pleasure for me to provide the

knowledge on to the entire nature-loving world.

In this issue, and in future yearly publications, I am

how to bring them back alive and introduce them into

this beautiful hobby. I want for you dear reader, to see

in aquarium, for you to have the healthiest, nature-like

environment in your home, office or school.

and your fishes to feel “at home”.

accordingly and maintain it – for beginners as well as

for advanced aquarists. Show you the latest

available in your pet shop – very well illustrated in

“The Father of Aquatic Plants”.

And I shall not disappoint you.

biotope (river, creek, lake or bay) of that country.

Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquaria 3

in Nature and in Aquaria

Land of Aquarium Fishes – Discovery of a Dreal Lake

6 aquarium catalogue Bleher’s Biotopes in Nature and in Aquaria 7

Schwetzochromis neodon has fascinating

4. Phenacogrammus interruptus and P. caudalis schooling immediately in such an decorated

Paola was also muffled up

In the country rice-growing and

10 11 12 delta and the tributaries.

The neighbours buy it all.

The very unusual fish, Polynemus paradiseus

A-201 A-206 A-211 A-216

Text and Photos by Heiko Bleher

wanted confirmation that they could

1-5. Most of the remote lakes in the Mameramo valley can

7-9. We collected and researched in muddy (7-8) and clear

again with renewed vigor – but without

On these two pages same samples of very typical

St. Paul’s Rocks

They are uniquely influenced 3

CARCHARHINIDAE White morph 30 – 50

108 aquarium catalogue Bleher’s Biotope in Nature and in Aquaria 109

Aquapress Publishers Via G. Falcone 11 – 27010 Miradolo Terme (PV) Italy

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