Happy New Year!

This is the last day of the year 2009, and it has been an eventful year for all of us here at Borneo Echo Streams Sdn Bhd. This year BES implemented steps to incorporate a large new section for fish and plant export that stems from our vision to introduce to the world the beautiful fishes and aquatic plants of Sarawak, Sabah and Kalimantan. We are working in the interiors of Borneo with communities to create opportunities to care for both human and nature through sustainable and responsible projects based on the exports of their products. We continue to work towards our goals and look forward in 2010 that Borneo's best and new ornamental tropical fishes and aquatic plants will also be the pride and joy of many hobbyist around the world.

Let me take this opportunity to thank all our supporters, customers and readers and wish you a very Happy New Year. May the New Year ushers God's blessings for you and your family!

Cheers!

Betta Macrostoma

The King of Wild Bettas, there is really not many wild bettas that is as beautiful and majestic as the Betta Macrostoma. These large mouthbrooders can grow till the size of 5 or 6 inches in the wild and should be kept in well filtered large aquariums with plants, driftwood and rocks. The ideal pH is 5.2 with a temperature of 25C. They will eat small shrimps, earthworms and high protein pellets. Weekly water change and monitoring of the water quality is essential to keeping these rare bettas in prime conditions.

Seasons Greetings!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May your holidays be filled with love, joy and peace. From all of us here at Borneo Echo Streams.

Betta Rutilans

Betta Rutilans from Kalimantan Barat is one of the small Betta from the freshwater peat swamps in that region. Their wine reddish colors actually helps camouflage them in the shallow blackwater streams. Their habitat is similar to those of Betta Brownorum and other members from the Coccina group. They are generally bubblenesters but have been known to mouthbrood as well. They can be kept in community but needs lots of hiding places and space as fighting occurs during spawning condition.

Betta Dimidiata

These Bettas have such beautiful long fins and just as the Krataois, their spawning colors can be really stunning. Sometimes found in the same area where we collect Betta Krataois, these fishes distinct themselves from the stouter Krataois and spots longer and large lancelot tailfin. These fishes will thrive in any Wabi-Kusa style aquariums with dense vegetations. I will try to post better photos as soon as possible.

Cheers!

Betta Krataois

Betta Krataois is a member from the Dimidiata group was identified and described by Tan Heok Hui and Peter KL Ng in 2006. Krataois from Greek means strong and this Betta sure spots a stout strong body. This fish is endemic to the area at Sanggau in West Kalimantan. What distincts it from the Betta Dimidiata is it's shorter fins. This fish is extremely colorful during spawning condition and like most wild collected fishes from Borneo prefers soft cool and acidic waters.

I hope you are enjoying your visits to this blog as I work to bring more photos of fishes and plants from this region in the coming weeks.

Vesicularia Dubyana Moss

One of the most popular plant amongst planted aquarium keepers are moss. They add colors and soften the look of the tank. Wrapped around rocks or driftwoods, they add to the beauty of the aquarium. In breeding fishes, they are essential too as fries often source infusoria derived from the moss.

In the tropical rainforest of Borneo, there are many types of moss found in our jungles, especially around the edges of waterfalls and mountain streams.

Perfect Balance of Nature

The planted aquarium thrives on perfect balance of it's own ecological system just like nature. Most beautiful tanks shows harmony of life that balances everything. Shifts in the balance will show on your tank, calling for proper attention and measures to be taken. Excessive algae, plant meltdowns, sudden deaths of fishes or shrimps, plants discoloring, lack of plant photosynthesis all points to shift of this balance. It doesnt take rocket science to remedy them, just some care and right advice from your local planted tank specialist.

In my opinion, the planted aquarium is the best classroom for conservation and sustainable environment for our planet. Nature is elaborately comprehensive and perfect in it's creation. We are still learning things from nature and how it holds the answer and solution to many of life's problem; planted aquarium included.

A serious planted aquarium keeper will gain self discipline and greater appreciation for the stewardship of this planet we call home. Taking for granted things will always have severe consequences. Hopefully every planted tank hobbyist out there will pick this up as a way of life. Happy planting!

Carinotetraodon Salivator

The Zebra Puffer is a stunning freshwater puffer from Sarawak. Ideal pH is 6.0 and this fish loves shrimps and snails. Their behavior is similar with other freshwater puffers. The male displays intense red coloration on the belly.

Betta Albimarginata

I find these bettas from the Mahakam districts to be very pretty when they are are in spawning colors. Very easy to keep and breed as they readily take to pellets, frozen bloodworms or live larvae. Keep water in pH around 5.5, with moderate lighting. Breeding tanks should have lots of plants and hiding places for the male mouth brooder.

Betta Mandor

Betta Mandor is part of the Foerschi group from Kalimantan Barat. These are wild bettas kept in our quarantine facility in Kuching. Ideal pH is between 4.5-5.5, water conditioned with blackwater extract is good when fish are stressed. Unfortunately large scale deforestration in their natural habitat will continue to deplete the wild population. Hopefully succesful aquarium kept fishes will continue to flourish all over the world amongst wild betta enthusiasts.

Nemacheilus Saravancensis

This is a very gregarious fish that often isnt shy of people. Nemacheilus Saravancensis loach can be found in clean clear water streams of Sarawak. Natural habitat water pH is 5.5-6.0 with a temperature of 25C. Readily will take quality micro pellets and easy to keep in aquarium.

Betta Anabantoides Sp 'Midas'

Betta Anabantoides SP from Kalimantan Barat, this yellow golden variant could be the newly indentified Betta Midas??

Carinotetraodon Borneensis

This Redeye Pufferfish sometimes mistaken as Carinotetraodon Lorteti is a freshwater fish endemic to South western Sarawak. It is a colorful fish that adapts to environment. They are not as aggresive in group behaviour compared to the C. Salivator. They love snails and shrimps.

Sono Toki Wa Kare Ni Yoroshiku Movie

Recently I watched this Japanese movie on DVD. It's a story about 3 childhood friends and the bonds between them even years after they went separate ways for 13 years. The story revolves around the guy who owns a beautiful little planted aquarium shop called Trash and the childhood sweetheart who mysteriously reappeared at his doorstep one night. Played by Masami Nagasawa, Takayuki Yamada and Takashi Tsukamoto, this movie is well produced and worthy of 'must watch' recommendation.

For planted tank enthusiast, you will see a lot of ADA setup tanks both planted as well as the Wabi Kusa style tanks. Very inspiring and refreshing. The only warning for anyone who doesnt understand Japanese, the English subtitles are probably written by the same person who pens ' Nature Aquarium Goods - Over the beautifully shining green pasture and in the green forest, joyously sail fish, fish. The support each other while playing leading parts by themselves. The picturesque scenery calms down our hearts. In the water is there a world'. :)

Cheers!

Puntius Kuchingensis

Here is a Barb that is named after Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak. Puntius Kuchingensis (Herre 1940) is a barb that can be easily mistaken for Puntius Lateristriga when viewed casually in the rivers of Sarawak. When I first came across this fish some years ago, my friends from Singapore excitedly exclaimed 'there goes a school of T Barb (P Lateristriga)'. Later we learnt that it is a different Barb and equally beautiful.

Chocolate Guorami

The wild caught Chocolate Guorami (Sphaericthys Osphromenoides) is another beauty that hails from blackwater streams in Borneo and several other locations in Indonesia. The male displays stunning red colors when they are about to spawn and these mouthbooders will benefit clean soft cool water in pH5.5-6.0. Use peat to condition the tank if you are planning on breeding these beauties. Ideal temperature of the water is about 25-26C.  Feed fries with rotifiers and baby artemia when they are out. A school of these in a planted aquarium can be such a treat to behold.

Sundadanio Axelrodi

Here is another small but exotic colorful fish from Kalimantan. The Sundadanio Axelrodi, sometimes referred as Rasbora Axelrodi Red from Kalimantan is actually greenish turquoise in color. One of my favorite alternative to the venerable Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon Axelrodi) of South America. These fishes hails from black water streams of Western Borneo and variants are found in other parts of Indonesia and Sarawak.

Parocrossocheilus Vittatus

This cyprinidae is found in the fast water streams of Sarawak and is one great algae grazer. They have a distinguish bronze band above the black lateral line on their body. A distant relative to Thailand's Crossocheilus Siamensis, this Sarawak's Algae Eater has been known to clear up even black hairy algae.

A Garden in Your Home or Office...

Any simple Nature Planted Aquarium has a soothing calming effect to a room. It brings a little of nature and life to our busy stressful life. The joy and reward of a planted tank often exceeds the effort to grow this garden under water. Often your Planted Aquarium will be a great conversation piece too as guests visit over.

Designing and setting up a succesful planted aquarium do require proper planning and it helps if you are able to consult with someone knowledgable. With proper support anyone can keep beautiful planted aquariums in their homes.

Thank you for visiting and may you have a wonderful planted tank in your home. One which will bring you much joy when you get home from work.

Cheers!

Betta Taeniata

Betta Taeniata is one of the wild betta that is increasingly becoming harder to find as their wild population in known locations of Sarawak has decreased drastically over the last few years. The reason for the decrease is river polution as poor rural waste/rubbish disposal system here. This fish is a strong jumper and if you are keeping them, please ensure your tanks are properly covered. They thrived in clean clear soft water, pH6.0-6.2 and as most wild fishes in this region, keep the temperature around 25C. Heavy planting in the their tank and regular water change is a must.

Rasbora Sarawakensis

Rasbora Sarawakensis has to be one of the most beautiful schooling fish endemic to Sarawak. This species comes from pristine clear water hill streams in the jungles. I love the blue metalic sheen line across the body as well as the subtle orange fins on these fishes. Very exotic and not always found on the aquarium mainstream trade, they make great school in your planted aquarium. Ideal pH 6.0. Feed sparingly and they love high quality micro pellets.

The Planted Aquarium

This site is dedicated to the interest of planted aquarium and the beautiful flora and fauna in nature.

I hope to steadily share photos and thoughts with those who care about their aquarium. Please feel free to dropby and contructive feedbacks are always welcomed.

Thanks!