A talk to Native Indian Fish Expert Andrew Rao.
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 7:29 pm
Andrew Arunava Rao is a well known native Indian fish expert and fish collector.
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Standing on the 'Phum' or floating vegetation at the Loktak Lake, Manipur (Photo Credit: Nilanjan Mukherjee)[/center]
Question: When were you attracted towards fishes?
Answer: When I was in Class 8, that was in 1978.
Question: When did you setup your first fish tank?
Answer: In 1978, at our School (La Martinere) we class mates had participated in the Science Exhibition and our theme was Aquatic Life in around our city. Among the many aquarium exhibits we had put up there was old iron frame triangular tank which was borrowed for usage. After the exhibition the person told me I could have that tank and thus started my hobby in fish keeping.
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Grizzled Loach (Schistura inglisi) from high up in the Darjeeling Siwaliks at Rhimbi ck nearby the Singalila Wild life Sanctuary, West Bengal.[/center]
Question: Which Indian native fish is your most favorite and why?
Answer: Well, most Indian natives I like and in my formative years I’ve kept plenty of Gouramies such as Dwarf, Honey and Striped and was successful in breeding these and it was a joy to see the fries hatching and eventually growing out to adulthood.
Question: Have you faced any accident/problems during any collection trip?
Answer: Luckily no accidents, but small falls and slips resulting in minor injuries are quite common. Problems !!! That’s a different story altogether. Have faced plenty, from hoodlums and security forces and a few times from wild elephants.
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Saddleback Loach (Schistura devdevi) introduced this year to the trade from the Torsa river in Cooch Behar, West Bengal.[/center]
Question: What is the view of your family/close relatives towards your hobby and business?
Answer: From family great support in every way. From relatives close or distant in the beginning when I had commenced in small trade, the response was I’ve gone ahead and wasted / spoilt my life. When business developed and financial situation improved there were requests for pointers to start a similar business.
Question: Have you found any new species ever?
Answer: Plenty, many described or in the process. This year in the first quarter I’ve got around seven species of fish unknown to science. One species the Slaty Leaf Fish was named after me : Nandus andrewi.
Question: Which region of India has plenty of fish species?
Answer:South Western India and the entire North East.
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Red Bee Catfish (Pseudolaguvia cf. shawi) a diminuitive species of catfish from the Manas river at Barpeta, Kokrajhar, Assam.[/center]
[/align]
Standing on the 'Phum' or floating vegetation at the Loktak Lake, Manipur (Photo Credit: Nilanjan Mukherjee)[/center]
Question: When were you attracted towards fishes?
Answer: When I was in Class 8, that was in 1978.
Question: When did you setup your first fish tank?
Answer: In 1978, at our School (La Martinere) we class mates had participated in the Science Exhibition and our theme was Aquatic Life in around our city. Among the many aquarium exhibits we had put up there was old iron frame triangular tank which was borrowed for usage. After the exhibition the person told me I could have that tank and thus started my hobby in fish keeping.
[/align]
Grizzled Loach (Schistura inglisi) from high up in the Darjeeling Siwaliks at Rhimbi ck nearby the Singalila Wild life Sanctuary, West Bengal.[/center]
Question: Which Indian native fish is your most favorite and why?
Answer: Well, most Indian natives I like and in my formative years I’ve kept plenty of Gouramies such as Dwarf, Honey and Striped and was successful in breeding these and it was a joy to see the fries hatching and eventually growing out to adulthood.
Question: Have you faced any accident/problems during any collection trip?
Answer: Luckily no accidents, but small falls and slips resulting in minor injuries are quite common. Problems !!! That’s a different story altogether. Have faced plenty, from hoodlums and security forces and a few times from wild elephants.
[/align]
Saddleback Loach (Schistura devdevi) introduced this year to the trade from the Torsa river in Cooch Behar, West Bengal.[/center]
Question: What is the view of your family/close relatives towards your hobby and business?
Answer: From family great support in every way. From relatives close or distant in the beginning when I had commenced in small trade, the response was I’ve gone ahead and wasted / spoilt my life. When business developed and financial situation improved there were requests for pointers to start a similar business.
Question: Have you found any new species ever?
Answer: Plenty, many described or in the process. This year in the first quarter I’ve got around seven species of fish unknown to science. One species the Slaty Leaf Fish was named after me : Nandus andrewi.
Question: Which region of India has plenty of fish species?
Answer:South Western India and the entire North East.
[/align]
Red Bee Catfish (Pseudolaguvia cf. shawi) a diminuitive species of catfish from the Manas river at Barpeta, Kokrajhar, Assam.[/center]