15-2-2024 (SINGAPORE) A remarkable discovery unfolded when Mr Daryl Tan, an enthusiastic photographer with a penchant for snakes, ventured into the mangroves at Pasir Ris Park in June 2023. What he stumbled upon wasn’t a snake but a fish believed to be extinct in Singapore, previously documented only in a watercolour painting over 160 years old.
The ladder gudgeon, scientifically known as bostrychus scalaris, is a rare and relatively obscure fish recognized by its ladder-like banded pattern. Its existence was first chronicled by French naturalist F. L. de Castelnau in a watercolour painting compiled in Singapore between 1858 and 1862.
Dr Tan Heok Hui, an ichthyologist at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, remarked that Mr Tan’s photographs, captured on June 3, 2023, could potentially be the initial photographic evidence of the fish’s presence in Singapore.
Mr Tan, a 35-year-old educator, has been documenting snakes in Singapore since 2005. He began conducting more night walks in late 2021 to observe nocturnal snake species closely.
He recounted, “That night, I noticed the high tide and decided to explore the mangroves at Pasir Ris Park to observe the snake species present during high tide and low tide.” As he approached the mangroves, he heard a splash followed by a flash of white and a slender tail. Moving closer, he witnessed a dog-faced water snake attacking a fish.
Despite his limited knowledge of fish, Mr Tan recognized the specimen as uncommon. After seeking assistance from friends to identify the fish, he posted photos on his Instagram page.
It wasn’t until three months later, in September 2023, that Mr Lin Jiayuan, a first-year student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), chanced upon Mr Tan’s post and identified the fish.
Mr Lin, a bioengineering student with a keen interest in fauna, noted the distinctiveness of the ladder gudgeon’s barred body patterning, which aided in its identification.
Upon confirming the identification with Dr Tan and Mr Kelvin Lim, the museum’s curator, Mr Tan and Mr Lin jointly submitted a Biodiversity Record to Nature In Singapore, a peer-reviewed online journal focusing on the country’s flora and fauna.
Dr Tan emphasised that such rare sightings underscore the vast unknowns within Singapore’s natural habitats, advocating for efforts to monitor and conserve such species.
Mr Lin highlighted the discovery’s significance, suggesting that other fauna species, thought to have perished due to habitat loss from urbanisation, might still survive in existing mangroves. He views this discovery as a symbol of hope for other species sharing similar habitats but long unseen.
The revelation prompts reflection on the importance of preserving natural spaces like the mangroves at Pasir Ris Park, Mr Lin added, cautioning against the unseen impacts of human activities on such ecosystems.
Mr Tan echoed concerns over the potential impact of housing estate development near the sighting location, underscoring the importance of the discovery amidst possible habitat alterations.
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