In the Parosphromenus Project we also sometimes have the opportunity to go out and present our work in different places. We greatly appriciate this.
Yesterday I visited Malmø Akvarieförening, in Sweden, to talk about parosphromenus species and the work of the Parosphromenus Project. An altogether pleasant evening with interested listeners, and also a fine day walking around in springtime Malmø center. Heres a few pictures — Helene
P. nagyi from ranges of the east coast of Western Malaysia. The species has a relatively large area of distribution; it is found from Pekan in the south going north via Kuantan and Cherating up to the area north of Cukai.
Although the species has a large distribution area, most of the natural habitats have been massively altered by human activities. Nowadays the fish is found mainly in remaining residual habitats and roadside canals that are still fed by remnants of former black water swamps.
When the males show courtship colours, they cannot be confused with other species. In normal colours males are still distinguishable by their morphologic differences. The risk of confusion is higher for the females, because morphological differences are less significant, but on close observation they are still easily identifiable. The pattern is completely different from other species: a horizontal two-part colouration, below blackish, top dark to golden brown. Also the very short looking caudal, in which the fin rays exceed the fin area by about 1mm of and where the turquoise edge appears further forward, is characteristic of this species.
Unusually short filaments of the ventral fins, which show a dark spot are also very typical for both sexes.
Two habitat types are known in which the males are easily distinguishable by the eye-catching band in the tail: in the form of terra typica (Form “Kuantan”) this is white, and thus shows a different colour as the blue ribbons in dorsal and anal. In the northern form “Cherating” the band is blue as well. In addition the above-described extension of the tail fin rays is less clear in this form, and therefore the caudal appears to be longer. “Kuantan” males also carry a significant dark spot in the rear part of the dorsal fin. (photo 3)
The species is rarely seen in trade today; only the Kuantan-form. The aquarium stock depends almost completely on privately imported fish. P. nagyi is one of the more easier species to breed.
Photocredit 1. Martin Hallmann, 2. Helene Schoubye, 3. Vierke
Our last international meeting in person was 2019 in Chester (UK). Due to the global pandemic situation, we were not able to arrange another meeting since that time. Today we still have issues with the risc of planning and later cancelling a meeting.
However, we feel the need to meet in person again and sensed a chance when the IGL invited us to join their meeting in Verden (DE). So if you are interested, save the date June 17th, 2022!
As the IGL is mainly a german organisation, most talks will be held in german. But we asked the speaker to use english slides if they give the talk in german. Apart from that, you will have the chance to meet and get to know us in the evening in an informal Parosphromenus-Project meeting.
P. ornaticauda, from downstream Kapuas, West Kalimantan. From Anjungan to Mandor. Found in very typical black peat water swamps. (pH 4.5, conductivity 39 micro-Siemens, temperature 27.6 degrees C, Linke) We confirmed a even lower pH of 4.1 at 2017.
Ornaticauda is one of the two smaller species (parvulus group), which is quite different from other Parosphromenus species. They will not cross with other big species, and thus, can be found together with P. anjunganensis in the same habitat in the wild. In aquarium they are also peaceful roommates of other Paros (except parvulus).
Thus, in comparison to others big congeners, ornaticauda is a bit more sensitive. The keeping and breeding attemps require more patient and control of the water quality, especially cleanliness. The clutches are usually small (10 to 20 eggs, rarely more) and they are often “rearranged” (from one cave to another) or “disappear” completely over night. The courtship dance of the male (see below) needs a lot of space, so small tanks (around 10l) are less suited then tanks with 20l or more. The conductivity of the water should not be above 40 micro-Siemens. The sensitivity of the eggs towards harmful bacteria is high, so it is advisable to have a low pH value (between 3 and 4) and a high content of humic acids. However, successful breeding has been recorded at pH 6.5 in clear water. Still, successful ornaticauda breeding is regarded as the “high school” of licorice gourami hobby.
Although P. ornaticauda appears today occasionally in high numbers in the international trade, and although significantly more locations are known compared to the time of its discovery, it has to be accepted that the species is highly endangered. Part of the original habitat is already destroyed and has been transformed to palm oil plantations. Many of the still existing P.ornaticauda – biotopes have been badly damaged by contamination with pesticides. Mainly these habitats are more or less affected remnants of swamps, still holding black water, but these refuges are getting smaller and smaller. After all, this area is one of the most developped area of this island. Human activities are destroying peat swamps and forests along the Kapuas river. Thus, it is now an IUCNCR species.
We hope more and more of them can be maintained and distributed within the aquarium community instead of collecting from wild.
.… means that you have to figure out many different ways of providing good live food as it is difficult to get them to take any other kinds of foods. Hatching brine shrimp is one of the foods which is often used, and we are often asked how to do this.
Depending on which way you look at it, brine shrimp hatcheries can be as simple or as complicated as you like and there are many designs on the market. These homemade hatcheries are used by our UK co-ordinator Kevin Marshall who has made them from 1 litre juice bottles along with a push fit on/off valve and a few odds and ends. While the overall design is one that has been around for a number of years the construction method is simple and cost effective.
I am certain there are many other ways of doing this, you are welcome to show us your way along with any tips and tricks that you have about brine shrimp in the comments below.
(A brief summary of the history of Parosphromenus based on the article by Prof. Dr. Dr. P. Finke, Father of PP)
Parosphromenus are both old and young, they have a history of 160 years, but 80% of the species were discovered/described within the last 40 years.
In 1859, Dutch Scientist, Bleeker found the first species from the island Bangka, the famous and legendary P. deissneri. Unfortunately the holotype is a female which is poorly preserved. The exact looking of deissneri remained unclear for quite a long time and becomes the origin of many taxonomic nightmares of this Genus.
Time flies. Only until 100 years later, in 1952, the second one P. paludicola was found from Malaysia, so special that they were recognized as a different speceis, while many other species, like tweediei etc, although discovered too, still considered as subspecies of deissneri. Same happened in 1955, P. sumatranus was found in an aquarium export to Germany (as co-catch), and considered as P. deissneri sumatra.
Since then the thing changed. These small fish attracted some German hobbyists and researchers. They made several expeditions into Borneo and Malaysia Peninsula. Based on their studies many famous species were discovered and introduced within 20 years. In 1979, parvulus, 1981 filamentosus, 1985 nagyi, 1987 allani and harveyi (by British) . Then professional taxonomist also joined in, 1991: anjunganensis, linkei and ornaticauda.
However, there is a big problem remained: the type species of this genus, deissneri. It is still kind of unkown. Until 1998, it is rediscoved and described again with P. bintan. After that, the thing can go further, many earlier subspecies of deissneri turned out to be new species: like tweediei, alfredi opallios and rubrimontis in 2005, together with quindecim and pahuensis. And a taxonomic system is only until then clearly established, when the first species has already been discovered like 150 years.
After that several new species were discovered or finally recognized such as P. gunawani, P. phoenicurus in 2012, barbarae in 2020. At last, in 2022, genetic analysis was introduced into the diagnosis of Parosphromenus and indicated two more new species: P. juelinae and P. kishii.
Now we have 23 officially valid species in this genus. But of course there are certainly more to be discovered. Until then.
Filamentosus is quite an old species, found and identified at 1980s. However, they are not so common in the market afterwards. Less often collected from their type locality, around Banjarmasin, Kalimantan Selatan.
Since 1990s it is known that there is a similar species labeled as cf. filamentosus around Palangkaraya, quite far from Banjarmasin. Even not in the same river system. After that, several other populations have been recorded inbetween. socalled, sp. Gawing from Sg. Kapuas at the middle, and sp. Ampah from Barito east. To clarify this isue, we made a trip into this area, from west to east, across the three main rivers there, Kahayan-Kapuas-Barito. The result is interesting.
All the northern ones are similar looking, which can be considered as same, cf. filamentosus Palangkaraya, sp. Gawing, and sp. Barito west, they have a distinct band at unpaired fin and a similar coloration. This is slightly different from currently remaining population from the south, Banjarmasin: which do not have such band at all or very vague without distinct shape. The problem now is:
All the current filamentosus commercial exported are these northern ones. The remaining southern types are old tank breed of a decade or so. We do not know now for sure the true looking of these southern ones from type locality. Maybe this morphological distinction is not real in the wild, but a reason of tank breed etc. Maybe there are no cf. filamentosus but all just filamentosus.
Unfortunately at our previous expedition we didnot managed to reach far south to Banjarmasin, and the habitat there is also severely affected by economic activities. If possible we would be happy to see fresh samples from their original habitat to compare with the current tank lines and their northern relatives. So we can know how filamentosus real looks like.
Any help is welcome, if you live in Selatan maybe you can try provide some updates of this species.
In our last post, we mentioned Parosphromenus filamentosus, bred by Aquazoo Düsseldorf.
These fish was kindly given to the Aquazoo, by Thomas Beu, a long term breeder of paros, and also longterm friend and breeder witin the Parosphromenus Project.
The P. filamentosus are from trade, and was bred by Thomas Beu since 2010.
This week we will bring a few more of his photos, — and by the way – did you read his article about breeding p. filamentosus ?
Its in german, but for those who understand german, it’s a really interesting and great article which you can find it on our homepage along with other interesting articles.
The Parosphromenus Project have established a cooperation with Aquazoo Düsseldorf in 2021, and received Parosphromenus filamentosus from Thomas Beu, — a long term member of PP, — and in the Fall Census 2021 Aquazoo Düsseldorf reported succes with breeding these, with 30 offspring. We congratulate Aquazoo Düsseldorf with this. It is a great achievement, and helps us secure this particular line of P. Filamentosus.
We also wish to thank Aquazoo Düsseldorf for donating a big sum of money to us, — we are very grateful for this, thank you
Dear all. From the Parosphromenus Project we wish to thank you all for all your dedicated work and cooperations on so many different fronts, private aquarists, with breeding, helping each other with difficult problems, sharing, as well as the growing number of institutions which supports our work. We are exited to enter 2022, we already know exhiting new things will unfold and we are looking forward to sharing those with you. But first af all, enjoy the last hours of 21 and get well into the next 🎉⭐️💥❤️ Many kind regards the team behind the Parosphromenus Project.
Parosphromenus bintan ’Bintan’.For the new conservation project of Parosphromenus Project, we imported some Parosphromenus sample from Bintan Island. Collected by a local friend, who lives in Bintan Island.In a post from February Wentian Shi wrote in Journey to the water that some interesting observations of this imported fish, raised the question – or questions : Either the original P. bintan was not entirely blue, as described, but has a small interior band of orange red, — or there may be a second species/type on the Bintan Island.
I received one male and two females of this species in spring 2021, — with the intend of breeding – and try to document with photos.The breeding attempt was very succesfull, — the offspring now is around 60 – 70, but the documenting less a success. The male has spend most of the time in the cave, — and the few photos I have taken were not the best, — however heres a few of this very strong and beautiful species. Helene
If juelinae is one of the most beautuful species in my eyes, kishii is certainly the most varied species I have ever met until now. The caudal fin pattern of kishii is never same. On the certer of the dark red caudal fin, there scattered many irregular blue blotches with random sizes, which form random patterns without constant or distinct boundray. just like the Nebula, every specimen, different. The blue color of thee blotches are also strange, it is not those common metalic blue like other paros, eg, bintan, deissneri, harveyi etc, but a mysterious light cyan color.
These blotches also dont stay like that, they change and develop with the time. Juveniles hava a full red caudal, the elder the larger the blue parts and more complex the pattern. Further, even the caudal shapes are never constant amony them. They can be rounded, can be sharply pointed in rhombic shape (which is most common), can even have a short fila, sometimes even in a non-convex shape .… Even among the offsprings of the same breed of same parents, there can be different shapes.…
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— Helene
Working together is essential !
Parosphromenus bintan ’Bintan’.For the new conservation project of Parosphromenus Project, we imported some Parosphromenus sample from Bintan Island. Collected by a local friend, who lives in Bintan Island.In a post from February Wentian Shi wrote in Journey to the water that some interesting observations of this imported fish, raised the question – or questions : Either the original P. bintan was not entirely blue, as described, but has a small interior band of orange red, — or there may be a second species/type on the Bintan Island.
