 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Red
Arowana
Harvest at Panda
Aquatic Centre Pte Ltd |
| Catch
of the Day - By NSK, pic by west |
| Despite
being caught in a bad traffic jam on
my way to Panda Aquatic Centre, it
was all but a fine day for a visit
to the countryside. The skies were
clear and the air was fresh after a
brief spell of rain the wee morning
hours. Today, I would be witnessing
the harvesting of the red and golden
crossback arowanas from Panda Aquatic
Centre. |
 |
Workers
getting ready for the harvest |
|
Let
the Harvest Begin
I
met up with Mr. Kan from Panda Aquatic
Centre and was briefed by him on
the schedule for the day. Both his
red arowanas and his crossback arowanas
will be harvested today.
As
we walked towards the breeding ponds,
his workers were already in the thick
of the action. They were walking
cautiously in the waist deep waters,
planting the necessary nettings and
bamboo poles in place to round up
the red arowanas.
Although
Mr Kan did not enter the breeding
pond, he was also doing his part
along the edge of breeding pond with
a wooden pole, striking the grass
to ward off any snakes that might
hurt his workers. As the workers
slowly pulled the net along the pond
to round up the arowanas, Mr. Kan
then used his wooden pole to beat
gently around the edge of the pond
to urge the arowanas into the net. |
 |
Mr
Kan, CEO of Panda doing his harvest
ritual. Just kidding, he is actually
looking out for snakes for the
safety of his workers. |
 |
Workers
wading slowly through the chest
deep waters to guide
the arowanas into the specially
designed net. Mr
Kan beating the edge of the
banks to urge the arowanas
along.
|
While I have witnessed
numerous harvesting of arowanas,
each harvesting is quite
unique. The harvesting procedures are
quite similar but you never know what
to expect in each harvesting. Beneath
the murky waters of the breeding pond
are actually numerous productive red
arowanas, each capable of producing
at least 20 fries! This is already
quite a feat as red arowanas are often
reported to have a lower productivity.
The secret to having such a productive
pool of breeding arowanas is probably
known to the farmer but from what I
have observed in Panda Aquatic Centre,
Mr. Kan had probably done his research
and set up his breeding ponds to simulate
the natural environment of the red
arowanas, ensuring that the right atmosphere
and environment are present to boost
his arowanas’ productivity! Not
only were his arowanas productive,
I was equally impressed with the physical
appearance of his arowanas. Each red
arowana displayed a beautiful coat
of red scales. I would probably have
to bring my water parameters test kits
the next time I visit the breeding
ponds to find out what is the secret
to having such productive and beautiful
red arowanas!
|
 |
The
workers carefully ensuring
that none of the arowanas were
able
to escape. Every arowana in
the pond must be checked for
eggs or
fries. |
 |
Hauling
the net partially out of the pond
|
 |
Special
bamboo sticks were strategiclly
place to
form a barricade to prevent the
arrowanas from leaping over the
net. So far,
this is only the easy part. Now,
let get to the business at hand!
|
 |
Catching
and inspecting all the arowanas
in the pond. Not an easy task
if you have slippery and strong
jumping customers.
|
|
| When
the red arowanas are hauled up from the
water and inspected
for fries, I could
sense the great expectation and anticipation
in everyone. There was tense concentration
as the worker pried open the arowana’s
powerful jaws to introduce the numerous
fries to this new world! |
 |
A
male red arowana is slowly coaxed
into the net
|
 |
Gently
prying open the mouth to remove
the fries. An electronic scanner
is also
used to scan the tag number of
the parent fish. A really fine
specimen of red arowana. 1st of
the day. |
 |
Reading
out the tag number to AVA officials
witnessing the harvest. Beautiful
red arowana indeed.
|
 |
Twenty
over fries about 1 inch only for
the 1st Red Arowana
|
 |
Another
male brooder spotted! This piece
is a real red shocker!
|
 |
This
time, there were over 40 pieces
from the brooder
|
 |
This
time, some were already swimming
about freely
|
 |
Three
inches fries
|
 |
A
real catch of the day. Quality
all over.
|
 |
3
incher up close
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Copyright
© 2003 ArowanaClub.com
|
