Have you ever imagined the breathtaking fantastic thing about the underwater world, where nature discovers the wonder in a single species? Welcome to Belitung Island, home of the endemic Temelayar Kaca (An actual gymnast).
This unique ornamental fish has a transparent body with horizontal black stripes, making it truly unique. It also lacks scales and is closely related to it Filamentous Gymnochandawhich is more common within the Riau region.
In Belitung, this fish is understood by several names, reminiscent of ikan kaca-kaca, ikan kaca and temelayar kaca. It is small, measuring only about 2 to 4 centimeters, but its transparent body allows view of its internal organs.
Interestingly, the kaca temelayar exhibits sexual dimorphism, visible by the colour of its fins. Males have brilliant red fin suggestions and females have white-tipped fins, adding to the charm of this rare underwater species.
An actual gymnastor hangover temelayar, was first scientifically described by Heok Hui Tan and Kelvin KP Lim of the National University of Singapore in 2011. Species name “TRUE” was chosen in honor of Vera Kasim, who provided invaluable logistical support in the course of the research.
This species is endemic to the freshwater streams of East Belitung Island. Unfortunately, its population is seriously threatened by environmental pollution, specifically waste from tin mining, which contaminates its natural environment.
glass screen (An actual gymnast) is a social species that usually forms groups or colonies. This grouping behavior, called shoaling, serves as a defense mechanism against predators. However, while this behavior helps protect them, it also makes them more vulnerable to predators.
The most important predator of this glass fish is the toman, whose presence within the Lenggang River on the Bangka Belitung Islands has only been discovered in recent times. The combination of social behavior and increased predation pressure has further threatened the survival of the temelayar kaca population.
Unfortunately, the present temelayar kaca population is in a critical condition. In November 2019, the IUCN listed this species as Critically Endangered. The most important threat to its protection is the deterioration of water quality on account of pollution, especially resulting from tin mining. Despite this, there are still no specific regulations in force to guard this endemic species.
