THE CRYPT. HUNTING TRIP (2nd page)
After photographing all the fish I collected, we continued our journey to the remote area of Saratok. We came across a river where the water was a little bit black-colored. This river did not looks like a perfect habitat for the aquatic plant. Nevertheless, I decided to go down to the river to find for the fish or aquatic plant. I found a jungle trail running parallel along the river. As the water was too deep, we were hiking through the bushes and then we walked down to the shallow part of river. When I walked across the river, I was shocked to see Egeria densa. I had no idea who is introduced this aquatic plant in such a remote area of Saratok. I was surprised it can grow well in this kind of habitat.
At that time, I did not notice that there was something which is about 3 or 4 meter away from where I saw Egeria densa.( Later I found out it's Crypt. bullosa !!!)
As both of us did find any Crypt. or fish, we walked further up to the upper part of the river. There was nothing up there. We decided to turn back. On the way back to where we parked our car, I saw a stream. The water was running fast and there are a lot of rocks in the river bed. The mosses and some plants growing on the rocks. It looks like a bonsai garden. Then, I saw something growing in the water. It's Cryptocoryne plant! This was my first time found Cryptocoryne growing on the rocky surface !! At first, I thought it was Crypt. bullosa. After I examined the leaf, I discovered that it was not a crinkled leaf. It's the most common Cryptocoryne in Borneo, Crypt. striolata !
Suddenly it was raining heavily. We went to hide under the tree. We were wet and tired but still we're so happy because we never been to such a remote place like this before.
When the rain stopped, we walked back to the spot where we found Egeria densa. Andrew was in front of me but he did not notice anything under his feet. I was stunned when I notice something in front of me. It's a cluster of aquatic plant which the leaf is almost black-colored ! It's Crypt. bullosa !
Luckily my eyes were sharp enough to see this black-colored Crypt. bullosa. I was really surprised to see two species of Crypt. can be found in the same river within 500 meter of distance.
The water of this river is a bit turbid.
Egeria densa.
Hair grasses.
The habitat of Crypt. striolata.
Crypt. striolata, the most common species.
Emersed Crypt. striolata and Piptospatha sp.
Submerged Crypt. striolata.
Crypt. bullosa. The ph of the water is 6.7!
The spathe is red-colored!
Chinese new year visiting. (Bintangor)
