Harvest of Panda Red Asian Arowana Text by NSK, Photos by West www.arowanaclub.com Aquarticles
Despite being caught in a bad traffic jam on my way to Panda Aquatic Centre, it was all but a fine day for a visit to the countryside. The skies were clear and the air was fresh after a brief spell of rain during the wee morning hours. Today, I would be witnessing the harvesting of the red and golden crossback arowanas from Panda Aquatic Centre.
Workers getting ready for the harvest
Let the Harvest Begin
As we walked towards the breeding ponds, his workers were already in the thick of the action. They were walking cautiously in the waist deep waters, planting the necessary nettings and bamboo poles in place to round up the red arowanas. Although Mr. Kan did not enter the breeding pond,
he was also doing his part along the edge of the breeding pond with a wooden pole,
striking the grass to ward off any snakes that might hurt his workers. As the workers
slowly pulled the net along the pond to round up the arowanas, Mr. Kan then used his
wooden pole to beat gently around the edge of the pond to urge the arowanas into the net.
Mr.Kan, CEO of Panda doing his harvest
ritual. Just kidding,
Workers wading
slowly through the chest deep waters to guide the arowanas into the
While I have witnessed numerous harvesting of arowanas, each harvesting is quite unique. The harvesting procedures are quite similar, but you never know what to expect in each harvesting. Beneath the murky waters of the breeding pond are actually numerous productive red arowanas, each capable of producing at least 20 fries! This is already quite a feat as red arowanas are often reported to have a lower productivity. The secret to having such a productive pool of breeding arowanas is probably known to the farmer, but from what I have observed in Panda Aquatic Centre, Mr. Kan has probably done his research and set up his breeding ponds to simulate the natural environment of the red arowanas, ensuring that the right atmosphere and environment are present to boost his arowanas’ productivity. Not only were his arowanas productive, I was equally impressed with the physical appearance of his arowanas. Each red arowana displayed a beautiful coat of red scales. I would probably have to bring my water parameters test kits the next time I visit the breeding ponds to find out what is the secret to having such productive and beautiful red arowanas.
The workers
carefully ensuring that none of the arowanas were able to escape.
Hauling the net partially out of the pond
Special bamboo
sticks were strategiclly placed to form a barricade to prevent the arrowanas from
Catching and
inspecting all the arowanas in the pond.
When the red arowanas are hauled up
from the water and inspected for fries, I could sense the great expectation and
anticipation in everyone. There was tense concentration as the worker pried open the
arowana’s powerful jaws to introduce the numerous fries to this new world.
A male red arowana is slowly coaxed into the net.
Gently prying open
the mouth to remove the fries. An electronic scanner is also used to
Reading out the tag number to AVA officials witnessing the harvest. Beautiful red arowana indeed.
Over twenty fries measuring about 1 inch each came from the first Red Arowana
Another male brooder spotted! This piece is a real red shocker!
This time, there were over 40 fries taken from the brooder!
As well, some were already swimming about freely.
Three inch fry
A real catch of the day. Quality all over.
3 inchers up close
Another Red with fries
Up close. Identification tag must be read out to AVA officials that were present.
This time, over 20 fries were found, each measuring 4 inches.
Ready for the world in a month time
See also: Gold Harvest at Panda Aquatic Centre Harvest of Panda Gold Cross Back Asian Arowana Asian Arowana - Raising a Winner |
