(Kuching, 11th) Have you ever seen the world's smallest fish, measuring less than 10mm in length, found in the rivers of East Malaysia?
In the Batang Salong River of Sibu, Sarawak, there is a species of fish called the "Bauk Fish" (Ikan Bauk), which is among the smallest fish in the world, measuring under 10mm in length. This fish has a fully transparent body, allowing one to see its brain activity clearly. It belongs to the same genus as another of the world’s smallest fish, Paedocypris progenetica.
According to the online media platform "I Love Borneo," the Bauk Fish is found only in the Batang Salong River, and very few people are aware of its existence. As a result, it has not yet been officially given a scientific name.
These tiny fish appear in the local river due to the unique water quality of the Batang Salong River. When the tide recedes, the water turns a light reddish color, earning it the name "Leaf Water River." It is understood that this phenomenon is caused by drainage from swamp areas, which provides a suitable habitat for the Bauk Fish.
Reports indicate that the population of Bauk Fish is declining each year, pushing it toward the brink of extinction. This fish is also considered a delicacy among the local community. The price of Bauk Fish has risen from RM2 per kilogram to RM10 per kilogram over time.
Currently, only three active fishermen still engage in catching Bauk Fish, one of whom is 75-year-old fisherman Pondubin Abai. Known locally as the "King of Bauk Fish," he is renowned for his exceptional fishing skills.
Pondubin shared that in the past, fishing for Bauk Fish was primarily done by women, as most men were engaged in logging. After working in the rice fields all day, women would use canoes to catch Bauk Fish along the riverbanks and then bring them home for cooking.
"However, as times changed, women gradually stopped fishing, so I took over. I use a fine net made from mosquito netting to catch these fish. This method requires great patience because the fish can only be caught along the riverbanks, not in the middle of the river," he explained.
He revealed that during the rainy season, the fish appear in large numbers, allowing him to catch up to 40 kilograms of Bauk Fish within four to five hours a day.
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