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Kuching, 28 June - 1 July 2007

Short trip to look for betta taeniata. Got a local there selling the betta Rubra and many wild bettas. First thing was to get hold of a rented car. RM90 a day. Nothing to complaint for a car that already drove 300k plus kilometre.

Met this local guy(Haji Badaruddin) and we followed them for a betta field trip collecting crypte off Serian, a small town call Balai Ringin. It is said to have Brownorum but we didn't catch any. We proceed to this place in Serian to collect Betta Taeniata up a waterfall! Surprising to have a betta in this part of the waterfall which I estimate at least 500m from ground level. We had to climb a foothill which obviously were use by the locals before.

Got about 3 pieces of Betta Taeniata,

Iban

Wild Singapore Pt 2

16 June 2007, went to hunt for the pugnax in the local stream. Parked the car some distance from the location and we had to make the entire field trip on foot, crossing man-made barricade. What we fear are the rangers. The fishes were forest snakehead, rasbora and of course betta pugnax. In the open pool, we can actually see them. We use the nets on shallow stream and the fishing rod made from twig and a string with rubber band to tie the worm. Incredibly when the pugnax actually bit it doesn't let go that easily and pulling it up was easy.

Field Trip 2-4 June 2007

Short trip to Mersing, Rompin, Kuantan and Chukai

Met a Japanese on this field trip along Mersing on a forest reseved. Although a restricted area, there are locals in the area foraging for metal stuff and a part of the reserved is barren. Trees apparently cut down. We caught what look like a pulchra but was later identified as a pugnax. Caught one that is mouthbrooding. Pitcher plants grew abundantly in the forest area at the collection location.

Along the way to Mersing, saw lots of vehicle parking along the road. Curious at what is there, we stop and there was small family business selling only Bak Kut Teh. Must be famous that's why the crowd. Tried the BKT and truly is one of the best I have ever tasted

Continuing the journey to Rompin. Some of the breadth taking sight if you are a nature lover

Entrance to Endau/Rompin national park and a lake on top of a hill

The amazing staghorn fern and some tussyae collected from state of Pahang

"KUANTAN" you cannot miss

Due to time constraint, stayed in Chukai. Must not miss the good coffeeshop at the entrance of the town

Just round the corner of this coffeeshop is the famous stuffed crab. Not to be missed. By 7.30pm, the coffeeshop is packed

Wild Singapore

15 April 2007

Many undiscovered wild haven in Singapore has yet to be appreciated by enthusiast. A small stream flowing from some underground natural water place, forming a small stream. Wild guppy were the only fishes seen. The water is contaminated with diesel smelling water. However the natural flora and fauna is unbelieveable. Birds chirping sounds like parrot but not able to confirm as they can't be seen. A star fruit tree is amongst the only tree recognizable

Pekan Nenas and Pontian

Field Trip 16 March 2007

This trip was the hunt for Betta Pulchra at Pekan Nenas. Started early using the old road to Pekan Nenas via Gelang Patah. First stop, an old spot along Pendas, only pugnax found on the way. Proceeding to Pekan Nenas, decided to go further up towards Pontian, then stop by Pekan Nenas on the way back.

Along the way toward Pontian Kechil, turning to the kampung side to look for betta. Ask a kampung kid along the way if there are "pelaga" (fighting fish), he says that nearby a stream toward the road to Pekan Nenas. Saw a few kids at the direction of the collection area and these kids were carrying fishes in 500g mineral water bottle! Definitely betta bellica from the greenish irridescent body and spiky caudal.

The kids showed us to a fast black water stream. My Madza took a good beating from the potholes and brown dirt track. And yes, caught bellica further upstream which is slow moving and tons of rubber tree leaves litter along the stream.

Never been described before of bellica found along Pekan Nenas and Pontian Kechil. No luck with the Pulchra, next time perhaps.

Some of the flora and fauna around the collection site

Biggest bubble nest

Gelang Patah

Betta Field Trip 3 Mar 2007

Short drive to this location at Gelang Patah, Johor Baru. Stopped by this rustic oil palm/ rubber plantation with a nearby flowing stream. Lots of leaf litters. Betta in the location is betta pugnax

Along the way, came across this little roadside shop selling snakehead Ikan Haruan. Price range from RM$13-RM$16. One of them display full colours of probably a male. These fishes were fished from a nearby river.

A black water stream is flowing right in front of the shop but only croaking gourami and the common 2 spot gourami.