Smallest Fish Found And Lost?

I read this yesterday and this might be of interest. We do not have the smallest fish in the world anymore. Maybe we lost that distinction years ago along with the distinction of having the deepest marine trench.

Anyway, According to an article by BBC Science correspondent Roland Pease, Indonesia has the smallest fish in the world and it resides in acid pools of the Peat Swamps in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Unfortunately, the 7.9mm (0.3in) long fish - Paedocypris sp. - is endangered. I wonder if there are any particular Research Institute or Public Aquarium interested in breeding the species.

The article further states that fish adapted several interesting characteristics in order to survive in the Peat Swamps Acid Pools. The adaptation of the fish, which enabled them to survive in small pools of water during drought, includes the lack of bony protection for the brain, fewer eggs for the females and small reproductive clasps for the male. They are also said to be plankton grazers; feeding on plankton near the bottom of the water.

It would be difficult, not impossible, to set-up an aquarium system and breeding regimen for the fish. A few things the researcher or aquarist will have to master in order for the fish to survive would be the following:

• Capturing and effective transfer of the fish.

• Replicating the acidic environment

• Replicating the special diet of the fish.

An ichthyologist and an aquarist sponsored by the International Organizations and the Indonesian Government should do the job.

The fish is really small you can place it on your finger and there would be a huge amount of room to spare. The article comes with a picture of the fish.

Here's the link to the article:Scientists find 'smallest fish'
By Roland Pease
BBC science correspondent