Habitats in Kalimantan

Continuation of the Kalimantan Expedition

We traveled across the southern part of Kalimantan on our journey. We were mainly looking for blackwater habitats.

The nature in Kalimantan, compared to Malaysia, is still beautiful. Although plastic bottles are scattered everywhere (in such quantities that a European can hardly imagine), the water and the life in it are still almost untouched.

Tropical rainforests are still the rainforests as we imagine them. Compared to the rainforest belt in South America and Africa, the trees here are among the tallest. The roads were by far the worst of all the countries we visited in Southeast Asia. We mostly drove on dusty roads, often with significant inclines. However, our Toyota managed all the challenges except for one flat tire.

The gas stations here are interesting. Because most people ride motorcycles, predominantly of Japanese manufacture, gasoline is offered in canisters of 2-5 liters. The price was about a third compared to our pre-COVID prices. In all the waters where we fished, the most common were labyrinth fish, little perch, and quite often shrimp. The people here are very friendly and helpful. They are happy to assist you in almost all activities.

Images:

1. Floodplain about 20 km north of Johor Bahru. Water black with pH 3.7, conductivity 36 µS/cm. We were fishing here. Sphaerichthys selantanensis (Chocolate Gourami), but also the most warrior of the kind Betta anabantoides (Giant Betta) and the recently described novelty known as neon rasboras.
2. The most commonly represented were the mazes here.Sphaerichthys selantanensis (Chocolate Gourami) and Betta anabantoides (Giant Betta).
3. In addition to the labyrinths, there lived a number of so-called neon rasboras.
4. A small pond with black water, pH 4.5, conductivity 47 µS/cm, temperature 27°C. Here swam Sphaerichthys selantanensis (Chocolate Gourami) and Betta anabantoides (Giant Betta).
5. In this pond, mainly labyrinth fish lived, the most Sphaerichthys selantanensis (Chocolate Gourami).
6. We also caught Betta anabantoides (Giant Betta).
7. Stream with black water, 26 °C, pH 3.8, conductivity 41 µS/cm, we caught the most here Rasbora trilineata (Scissortail Rasbora, Three-lined Rasbora).
8. Rasbora trilineata (Scissortail Rasbora, Three-lined Rasbora) usually swims in schools of 6-10 individuals.
9. In this clear water, the fish were visible from a distance.
10. We mostly drove on dusty roads requiring considerable driving skills.
11. In Kalimantan, refueling is a bit different than in Europe.
12. A classic gas station, the kind you find most often in Kalimantan. Only very rarely will you come across European-style gas stations.