Catching Imbellis at Balik Pulau

MBC is hosting another show this coming May 5, 2001.  The show category will include wild bettas.  What if nobody bring any wild bettas along?   No worries,  My good friend  Sifu Sim and I have decided to catch them.  Our target location is Balik Pulau area. The region is located on the Western part of Penang Island, it is famous for  Laksa(noodle) and also durian(fruit).  Betta Imbellis located there are of the stocky variety with shorter finnage as compare to their brothers in the Malayan Peninsula.   Sim will of course bring his "Harimau Kalor"   Bamboo basket.   And me well,   I will carry my digital camera and a bucket to keep the captive fishes. 

We went there around 4:40 PM,  and found out that the river was cleared off most the water weeds. I am really impress by the hardworking drainage and irrigation department!  Cleared stream are actually bad news as the weeds provide a hiding place and breeding ground for Betta Imbellis.  Luckily there are still patches of healthy areas available.  With Sim's relentless scooping,  we manage to catch 14 adult male imbellis and a similiar amount of adult females.   There was some drama as well due to the effectiveness of Sim's bamboo basket. We manage to scoop a snakehead, an eel, and a fresh-water snake!    Luckly the snake is not poisonous according to Sim and was gently release back to the river.

During the trip, we managed to catch lots of young betta imbellis along with the adults. They where subsequently release back. The existence of young bettas prove that the habitat  is still healthy and will provide  fun and joy for betta lovers to come here again.  But it is hard not to notice a nearby development along that area  which I believe will be a college.   I hope that this habitat will still remain available for many more years to come.  

Below are some pictures taken for the trip. Enjoy