Collecting wild fishes in Singapore

[Memnoch]

I remembered my first fish tank a long time ago consisted of fishes freshly caught from various parts of Singapore, tiger barbs and wild livebearers from little Guilin, baby snakeheads, mud skippers, tilapias and other wild local cichlids, shrimps and other crustaceans… Naturally only the largish cichlids survived the “Royal Rumble” with my Giant Oscar in the 4 feet tank…

I never appreciated the significance and beauty of these wild ‘community’ fishes then. Though I don’t believe I will ever have the time to do so now, I was toying with the idea of fish collecting in Singapore. Do we have active groups that does it here? Where do you guys go to?

[Justikanz]

Do note that fishing in the protected areas and the nature reserve is illegal. You can try fishing from the canals, though... A lot of feral fish, especially cichlids... Have fun... But please be humane in the way the fish are caught and subsequently treated...

[ranmasatome]

dont do it.. our local fauna is already half dead as it is from all the development.. but if you want.. collect all those feral species..

[hwchoy]

yes, please collect all the feral cichlids. next you can target the livebearers, 4-banded tiger barb (contrary to popular belief, this is NOT a native species), Rasbora borapetensis, peacock bass, and so on.

[budak]

Most of the fishes in the drains, canals and other habitats outside the nature reserve are not native. All cichlids and livebearers found there are descendants of escapee/released fish by aquarists or from farms.

There is an online guide to fishes (both native and introduced) of Singapore here: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/freshfish/

[Memnoch]

what are feral fishes?

[guqin]

Feral organisms are organisms that have escaped from domestication and have returned to its wild state (either partly or totally).

[Justikanz]

But they may or may not the native... In Singapore, all cichlids and guppies, etc are feral and not native, for example...

[hwchoy]

Feral organisms are organisms that have escaped from domestication and have returned to its wild state (either partly or totally).

eh Mr Guqin, I still waiting for you to apply for that shrimp permit leh. by the time we get the permit your daughter in secondary school liaoz

[guqin]

Boh eng ah! Now preparing to go Vanuatu...