Interpretation of the Census 2011 / 1

Christian Hinz (Berlin, Germany)

Species group A:

Parosphromenus ornaticauda has currently a secure stock. Mainly it still consists of wild caught fish of the last months, but there are  also greater amounts of fry and young with two breeders. The form with the safe location from Anjungan (Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia) has not been reported this time, but it is likely still available by one German breeder. On the other hand the commercial form – as was already the years before – still exists in good numbers, but this can change quickly after the death of the wild-caught animals!

Parosphromenus parvulus is currently experiencing a high stock, since it was traded last year for the first time via various exporters. Members of the Steering Group of our project participated in an import, by which the number of parvulus could be increased, too. But whereas the commercial form is increasing, the safe habitat types of Babugus and Tangkiling (Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia) experience a continued decline in our stocks. Meanwhile, of the Tangkiling form only a few males are left, which probably means the loss of this form!

Species group B:

Parosphromenus sumatranus (Jambi, Indonesia) appears presently more secure in our inventory, but it is still mostly the wild-caught fish; only a few offspring are available up to now.

Species group C1:

Parosphromenus nagyi (Pahang, Malaysia) is currently in all four known forms securely represented in our inventory. There are currently no reasons for concern, since additionally ample wild caught fish have before short been brought by travellers, numbers which are not listed in this evaluation already.

Species group C2:

The most significant declines are noted in the bintan or harveyi group. Almost all the spec. aff. bintan-forms that were discovered in recent years are no longer in our stocks available. Some of them were no longer listed already. The only form that further exists is P. spec. “Langgam” (Riau, Indonesia). It has even one of the safest stocks.

From P. alfredi (Johor, Malaysia) additionally to the breeding pairs we have a greater amount of offspring. The two forms of spec. aff. alfredi are currently available each of only one breeder.

Since several months we have again P. bintan (Pulau Bangka, Indonesia) in our stock that were available through an import into Europe.

The trade forms similar to bintan are with the exception of spec P. “Sentang (Selatan, Indonesia) all available.

P. harveyi (Selangor, Malaysia) are currently relatively safe in the stock. Both the location form from the area west of Tanjong Malim and the commercial form are available with many breeding pairs.

P. opallios (Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia) and P. rubrimontis (Perak, Malaysia) are just as in the past few years not really safe in our stocks, but also not really endangered.

P. tweediei (Johor, Malaysia) is also from different sites securely represented in the stock.

Species group C3:

P. anjunganensis (Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia) is still safe in stock, but it is striking that no offspring of this type is available. The available fish come mainly from reported fish catches from the wild; equally the species was traded in recent months quite often.

Species group C4:

This is the most vulnerable group, for both P. allani (Sarawak, Malaysia) and the similar form of spec. Sungai Stunggang are present, but in a very low numbers. The few keepers of this two forms have to give special attention to produce offspring to prevent they do not get lost again!

Species-group D:

The stock of P. deissneri (Pulau Bangka, Indonesia) decreases still more clearly! Meanwhile of the form of locality Belilik only six (!) individuals are living. A clear example of how fast and hardly noticeable a stock can fall to a minimum!

P. filamentosus (Kalimantan Selatan, Indonesia) is still quite safe.

Species group E:

P. linkei (Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia) is, as always, in a comparatively safe stock available. We must see how the new form spec. Seruyan will develop; currently we have only wild caught animals.

The stock of P. pahuensis (Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia) continues to decline, not yet in the very vulnerable area, but there are not many pairs left! We must be cautious

Species group F:

Equally, the once widespread stock of P. quindecim (Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia) continues to fall. It applies the same as with pahuensis.

Artrengruppe G:

The stock of P. paludicola (Terengganu and Kelantan, Malaysia and Narathiwat, Thailand) is about the same as always. The four different forms of this species are present in the tanks of only a few breeders. Presumably this is the case because many people think the species less attractive, an opinion which many experts but can definitely not confirm.

In general, our Parosphromenus aquarium stock has compared to recent years not fallen to disturbing low numbers, but on the other hand it has not significantly improved either. Some species/forms, however, are currently short of the loss (allani, spec. “Sungai Stunggang” deissneri, pahuensis, quindecim). Contrary to that, some other species/forms are at present quite safe in the stock (ornaticauda, nagyi, spec. “Langgam”, harveyi, tweediei, linkei and filamentosus).