Our trip to find these took use over 10000 miles by plane, 1000 miles by car, and days of traveling and obtaining permits to get these fish and export them. We were also met with many obstacles trying to ship them, as the larger governing body wasn't aware of our activity and took much persuasion to get them out.
We had obtained special permits to try to collect and obtain this fish. In return of our donation to help research and breeding of this fish to reintroduction to the wild we were able to obtain a handful of large and some small 2" babies
In the wild, they are practically extinct already,. most fisherman have not seen them in the past, and few have seen an occasionaly appearance. They were more abundant 5 years ago, before the hydroelectric dams were in use. They're natural habitats have been destroyed, preventing them from reaching their spawning grounds.
The natural habitat is slow moving large rivers with pebbles and river rocks. Temperature is 77 degrees right now, but drop as low as 50s during winter. They can tolerate as warm as 90 during the midst of summer. There will be a featured article in TFH soon as well.
Please email me at amazonaq@aol.com directly if you have any more questions regarding this awesome fish, and do not use the photos without permission or prior consent.
Thanks,
Wes
