Rare Fish Find Spurs Naturalists

November 4, 2004

Release from: Hilary Chiew
The Star Online (Malaysia)

PETALING JAYA: The discovery of a rare and threatened marine fish at the Endau-Rompin National Park has strengthened the belief that the park could be home to more diverse species.

The adult specimen of the Glossogobius giuris, which belongs to the Gobiidae family, was caught in Sungai Endau by the fish study team of the Johor branch of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) on Aug 27.

The fish, measuring 25cm, is seldom seen by the aborigines there.

MNS Johor adviser Vincent Chow said the find has spurred the enthusiasm of the team comprising amateur naturalists.

“Many species of 'Gobiidaes' live in brackish water and are known to enter fresh water in the Indo-Malaysian region.

“We had previously caught similar-looking juveniles from smaller streams in the park but found it difficult to ascertain their identity as juveniles often display different or underdeveloped characteristics,” he said.

Chow added that scientific literature recorded only one specimen measuring 34mm caught from a river in Puchong, Selangor.

“The discovery excites us as it confirms our belief that the diversity of fish in the park is much higher. We have documented 81 species and many of them are new finds,” he added.

Johor National Parks Corporation director Hashim Yusoff said the findings would be published in a book titled The Freshwater Fishes of the Endau-Rompin Johor National Park which would be launched next year.

Hashim, who assumed the position in August, welcomed the participation of non-governmental organisations and the public in discovering the natural wonders of the park.