Recount of our first China fish expedition!

Its been just over one year since our first fish collecting expedition. I was born in China, but left the country when I was 2 years old. I've only been back for short visits since then, but not to see the great varieties of fauna it has to offer. Stan my treval mate was born in sunny California, has traveled the world extensively,photographed and written magazines and books, but his first time embarking in China.

Day 1: We flew from Los Angeles to Beijing, the smog filled capital city of China. The airport was immense, modern, air conditioned. Once we stepped outside, to my dismay, the city was dirty, filled with gloom and glum. We managed to pick ourselves up after at grueling 14 hour flight only by pouring some $7.00/cup coffee down our throats.

After several hours of anxious waiting, we find our connecting flight, and again we're reminded that we're in China by the hundreds of people crowded around the ticket counter. There were no lines, and people were pushing and shoving, trying to get on the next flight, and this was just 45 minutes away from take off. After what seemed like hours of pushing and shoving, they managed to get most of the people on the plane, and we're good for take off!

Day 2: We have finally arrived in Szechuan Province. This place is much different than Beijin, the air was much cleaner. People were polite and more progressive. The only problem was nobody spoke the same dialect that we spoke. There are over 200 different dialects in China, and I speak 3 of the most commonly used ones, but it was little help here. Luckly, my wife was able to put together a detailed map, with hotels and driving directions for us, and our taxi driver, Xiao Tao to follow. On our way to the hotel we wanted to eat at a local seafood restuarant, while browsing, we saw a HUGE elopicthys bambusa, aprox. 80 cm sitting on a block of ice, but unfortunately I didn't get a picture! Our first meal there included, spicy fried whole fish, cold cut rabbit, spicy soup fish fish heads, and some local vegetables!

Now we're ready for our 7 hour long ride to the remote village. About 2 hours into our drive, we had to switch drivers, as the driver from the city did not want to drive all the way into the village. Then our second driver wanted to drop us off in the middle of nowhere as well, because he didn't know how to get to the final destination. In the picture you see me fighting with him at our destination as he was trying to charge us much more than originally agreed.

Finally we've arrived, this small town where people dry their vegetables alongside the partially paved roads. Our driver sped through the bumpy roads while dodging chickens and cows along the way, made rally racing look tame at this point.

The same evening after the long ride, we were greeted by our host, and he insisted that we have dinner with him, before we even had the chance to wash up or change. Once we went down to the hotel lobby we were escorted into a smoke filled room. After the long introduction and alcohol toasting, we find ourselves sitting in midst of city and government officials. Nonetheless, they were very gracious and hospitable, and our host treated us to a massage after dinner.

more to come...

Cichla sp. "brokopondo" Suriname orig.

These Cichla sp. came from Suriname this past year, only imported twice in the US. Compare these to "Cichla occelaris" which according to literature these fish should fit under, however they do not resemble "occelaris" at all, not even ones from Guyana. We'll have to wait to see how they'll grow up.

This fish is not even available in Japan or Taiwan yet!

Micronemacheilus pulcher Rainbow loach

These little gems come from Souther China, clear water streams no wider or deeper than a few feet, with pebble bottom, surrounded by terrestrial plant life. They cohabit with Puntius semifaciolatus, Rhinogobius sp., and Caridina sp. (shrimps). The average water temperature is 70 F , while during the winter dropping below 50 F.

In the aquarium, they are very peaceful, will eagerly consume all frozen foods and pellets. They are not shy at all, will swim out into the open looking for food constantly. Their max size is 4" with the average of 3". During breeding season, their colors will intensify with shades of blue, green, red and yellow!

This particular species is new to the US hobby making its debut this year.

Plotosus canius

These eel cats come from India, can reach 120 cm in the wild. They're predatory but very peaceful. Purportedly the most venomous catfish in the world, however I did not experience that first hand. They are very reclusive in the aquarium, coming out at night to hunt. They are different from the marine Plotosus lineatus, which swims around constantly, but the body shape is very similar. These fish tolerate a wide range of water conditions as well, from freshwater to salt. Pictured animal is 30 cm, being moved to another tank.

True Indian masheers, Tor khudree and Tor putitora

These fish are found at the Himalayan foot hills, tolerating a wide range of hard climates. Living in fast flowing rivers. Anglers travel from around the world to come and find these fish. They're protected locally, catch and release only. Adults can reach up to 70 pounds, making them a once in a life time catch with breathtaking scenary as the back drop.

In the aquarium, they're highly predatory for a cyprinid., will eagerly consume pellets, small fish and occasionally some fruits. If new fish are introduced into the group, they will investigate them, and then kill them. The specimen you're looking at is 50 cm, at 4 years of age, imported from India.

Tor soro - red Malaysian masheer

The Malaysian red masheer. These fish are found in remote areas in Malaysia and to my recent discovery, there are at least 3 different kinds of red masheers, each can grow to 90cm plus, and with scale colors from pink, orange to dark rusty red, rivaling colors and patterns of the famed Sceloropages formosus, Asian Arowana.