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Blackwater peatswamp, Northern Perak, Malaysia

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Educated by Nature

Malaysia, Taiping, Perak, Simpang Empat Semanggol

This peatswamp is located in the northern part of peninsular Malaysia in the province of Perak. It is a closed location with blackwater and a diverse spectrum of fish species. This swamp is surrounded by dense forest.I was interesed in the fact that it is hidden from fish hunters for the time being and therefore almost untouched.

All the information was given to me by Khairuldin Mohd Isha, who visited the location, researched the aquatic biotope and submittet the the exact location. Khairulddin hopes, however, that environmentally conscious aquarists and locals will protect this unique environment from illegal fishing and destruction.

Submitted by
Michal Klacek
Approved by
Heok Hee Ng & Greg Martin
GPS
5.0376644, 100.7283859
Geographical region
Southeastern Asia
Drainage Basin
River catchment
Water body type
Wetland
Water body name
Peat swamp
Water body part
Marsh land
Water body course
Source
Water body: tributary of
Wetland
Tributary name

Videos above and below water

Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type
fresh-water
Water color
Black water
Water transparency
High
Concentration of sediments
High
Water temperature
22-28°C °C
Water flow/curent
None

Chemical parameters

pH
5
Conductivity
145
GH
6 mg/l
dGH
KH
6 mg/l
dKH
Dissolved Oxygen

Substrate in nature

Sand
Pebble/Gravel
Stone
None
Stone form
Silt/Mud
Brown
Leaves
Many
Driftwood
Many
Submerged terrestrial vegetation
Yes

Aquatic Biotope

Date of collecting
Collecting area
Backwaters
Water depth
0,5m
Air temperature
Sunlight
Filtered/dappled sun

Environment

Environment
Untouched
Surrounding area

This marshy swamp is located in the northern part of the Perak province in Malaysia. It is a closed biotope with no tributary dependent on rainfall. The surroundings of the biotope are made up of tropical forest, mainly trees of the genus Macarange. For now, it is an area untouched by human activity.

Underwater landscape

The water in this biotope is colored brown due to tannins from fallen leaves and wood, but it is transparent. The bottom is covered with a thick layer of leaves and detritus and lots of larger and smaller branches that are covered with algae in places. In the shallow parts, there is a dense tangle of roots from the surrounding trees. The maximum depth is approx. 2m.

Several species of aquatic plants grow in the shore part in shallow water, for example: Limnophila sessiliflora, Eleocharis sp., Cryptocoryne minima, Blyxa sp., Barclaya motleyi, Lemna minor.

There is also a shrimp of the genus Macrobrachium. The site is rich in fish communities.

Fishlist:

  • Sphaerichthys osphromenoides (Osphronemidae)
  • Trichopodus leerii (Osphronemidae)
  • Parosphromenus rubrimontis (Osphronemidae)
  • Desmopuntius hexazona (Cyprinidae)
  • Trigonostigma heteromorpha (Danionidae)
  • Trigonopoma pauciperforatum (Danionidae)
  • Luciocephalus pulcher (Osphronemidae)
  • Nandus nebulosus (Nandidae)
  • Boraras maculatus (Danionidae)
  • Trichopsis vittata (Osphronemidae)

Aquatic plants:

  • Limnophila sessiliflora (Plantaginaceae)
  • Blyxa sp. (Hydrocharitaceae)
  • Barclaya motleyi (Nymphaeaceae)
  • Utricularia gibba (Utricularia gibba)
  • Lemna minor (Araceae)

Wetland plan:

  • Cryptocoryne minima (Araceae)
  • Eleocharis sp. (Cyperaceae)
Threats to ecology

Such forest wetlands are indispensable for maintaining the existing ecosystem. Not only fish depend on these water sources, but also many other animals living in close proximity to water, such as amphibians, insects, and many mammals.

Thanks to the fact that this wetland is still untouched by human activity, rare plant species that are worth protecting can also be found here.

Riparian zone

Trees near the aquatic habitat
Many -

Sitography

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