A Field Guide to the Fishes of Kuching Rivers, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

This book introduces the non-taxonomic reader to the variety of fish species in the mostly estuarine rivers running through the city of Kuching. Many of the species are illustrated with some of the most stunning photography yet seen in any fish guide.

One hundred and two species are described with detailed information on the appearance, habitat and distribution. These species range from freshwater species that can tolerate low salinity levels to marine species that visit freshwater. This book covers the species most likely to be seen, and provides characteristics to enable identification without the use of a microscope or anatomy dissection.

In addition, the introductory chapters give a brief review of Sarawak and Kuching, before providing a general outline of fish habitats, biology and ecology. A Field Guide to the Fishes of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo will be of interest to fish biologists, anglers, biology students and anyone interested in tropical estuarine biology or with an interest in the natural history of Borneo and Asia.

• Foreword
• Preface
• Introduction
• The Island of Borneo
• Sarawak
• Kuching
• The Project
• Ecology
• Ecology of Freshwater Habitats
• Ecology of Estuarine Habitats
• Ecology of Marine Habitats
• Biology
• Fish Physiology
• Fish Morphology
• Reproduction
• Behaviour
• Fish and People
• Markets and Fisheries
• Fishing Methods
• The Aquarium Trade
• Conservation
• Classification and Diversity of Fishes
• Carcharhinidae (Requiem Sharks)
• Dasyatidae (Stingrays)
• Notopteridae (Featherbacks or Knifefishes)
• Megalopidae (Tarpons)
• Clupeiclae (Herrings, Shads, Sardines, Menhadens)
• Pristigasteridae (Illisha, Herring and Tardoore)
• Engraulidae (Anchovies)
• Cyprinidae (Carps and Minnows)
• Bagridae (Bagrid or Freshwater Catfish)
• Ariidae (Sea Catfish)
• Plotosidae (Eel-tailed Catfish)
• Siluridae (Sheatfish)
• Loricariidae (Armoured Catfishes)
• Pangasiidae (Shark Catfishes)
• Clariidae (Airbreathing Catfish)
• Muraenesocidae (Pike Congers)
• Mastacembelidae (Spiny Eels)
• Belonidae (Needlefish)
• Herniramphidae (Halfbeaks)
• Syngnathidae (Pipefish and Seahorses)
• Channidae (Snakeheads)
• Osphronemidae (Gouramies)
• Anabantidae (Climbing Gouramies)
• Cichlidae (Cichlids)
• Drepaneidae (Sicklefishes)
• Trichiuridae (Cutlassfish or Ribbonfish)
• Sillaginidae (Smelt-whitings)
• Mullidae (Goatfishes)
• Ephippidae (Spadefish, Batfish and Scats)
• Mugilidae (Mullets)
• Polynemidae (Threadfins)
• Ambassidae (Asiatic Glassfish)
• Datnioidae (Tigerfish)
• Apogonidae (Cardinalfish)
• Theraponidae (Grunters or Tigerperches)
• Haemulidae (Sweetlips and Grunters)
• Lutjanidae (Snappers)
• Gerreidae (Mojarras)
• Leiognathidae (Slimys, Slipmouths or Ponyfish)
• Scianeidae (Drums or Croakers)
• Toxotidae (Archerfish)
• Scatophagidae (Scats)
• Carangidae (Scads and Trevallies)
• Siganidae (Rabbitfish)
• Gobiidae (Gobies)
• Eleotridae (Sleepers)
• Synanceiidae (Stonefish)
• Platycephalidae (Flatheads)
• Cynoglossidae (Tonguefish)
• Soleidae (Soles)
• Paralichthyidae (Large-tooth Flounders)
• Tetraodontidae (Pufferfish)
• Batrachoididae (Toadfish)
• Acknowledgements
• Glossary
• Selected References
• Index