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• Marine diversity and ecology
♦ Birds
Mailing address:
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research
Department of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Science
National University of Singapore
6 Science Drive 2
Blk S6, #03-01
Singapore 117546
REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE
Tel: +65-6516-5082
Fax: +65-6774-8101
Contact Webmaster
Southeast Asia is a very rich area in biodiversity with a high degree of endemism in both flora and fauna. Many freshwater fish species have been exploited for the ornamental fish trade. As the population in Southeast Asia increases, vast tracts of forests are cleared for agricultural, industrial and urbanization purposes. In order to conserve and sustainably exploit the wild fish population, measures should be adopted to protect this natural resource. Already, several ornamental species have been severely overexploited, e.g. Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus), Pygmy Loach (Botia sidthimunki) and Arowana (Scleropages formosus). The reasons for the extirpation of local populations are manifold and not due just to fishing for the trade, among which is deforestation. There are also still many species which have great ornamental fish potential. Wild fish species have also been successfully bred in captivity and conserved, e.g. Tiger Barb (Puntius tetrazona), Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus), Pygmy Loach (Botia sidthimunki) and Arowana (Scleropages formosus). Other methods of conservation include public education, leaving pristine forests intact and reforestation. The aquarium trade of the Clown Loach (Botia macracanthus) in Sumatra and Borneo is discussed.
Top | More: Introduction | Over-exploitation | Sustainable harvesting | Conclusion
