Wild Singapore Part 4

Field Trip 8 Nov 2007

Unplanned trip. Actually scouting around for possible Betta Tomi habitat. Met John and his friend Matthew catching fish at a known Pugnax habitat. They have got couple of gobies and big channa gachua. Caught 4 pugnax for John, 3 males and a female. One of the male was mouthbrooding. Unfortunately the biotope was a little disturbed before the picture was taken. The biotope was formed from water seepage from the nearby reservoir through underground piping. A stream must have been there originally and now a service road actually run across this place.

Continuing the wild search, came across this stream that is wild and seems untouch. Rasbora, barbs are a common inhabitant. There's plenty of wild guppy. Collected a few for my tank. Some of the flora around the stream. Search still goes on for Tomi habitat

Hunt for Betta Tomi

Field Trip 3 Nov 2007

Planned trip to see the elusive Tomi habitat. This was a result of some discussion over the forum on BettaBite of how the Tomi in Singapore could be extinct etc. The trip started at 7am driving towards Kota Tinggi/ Mersing. On the way stop by some black water habitat that could be a promising betta haven. Baboons can be seen along the roadside foraging for food. Unfortunately road kills of monkeys are commom along this route





Along the way, we stopped at the Bak Kut Teh shop and have our brunch. We kind of know that once we start collecting, there may be no time to think about food or anything except betta. We reach Tomi's place around noon. We were definitely happy cos the description of the habitat matched what we saw upon arrival.


Getting into the biotope requires some care and caution. The area is quite dense but there seems to be some makeshift planks thrown along the path. Presence of other betta collectors. The area is a primary forest and seems to be a low drainage point offering this betta biotope. Caugnt channa gachua,nandus, anabas, boraras, loaches, wild guppy, pugnax and tomi. Living alongside are freshwater prawns, crabs and frogs. The tadpoles are big orange coloured that can be seen almost everywhere. Surprisingly, the mosquito was not present and that is a definite relief. Some of the habitat seems to be dried up almost like a dry season but it rained while we were collecting Tomi.


Biotopes of Betta Tomi










Comparing our catch