FISHES OF SINGAPORE
Below are some examples of fishes that can be found in Singapore in both pay ponds and reservoirs. Note that this is not exhaustive, we only listed the common ones.
Arowana- The Asian dragon
Range of feeding: Surface
Baits that it takes: Prawns, dead small fish float at the surface
Lures that it takes: Surface lures such as poppers. May take swimbaits occassionally
Habitat: - Macritchie reservoir, Mandai reservoir
Information:
The arowana is also known as a "dragon fish" to the Chinese, due to its appearance. Specially bred varieties of this fish can fetch thousands of dollars for its sign of good luck. Those that appear in our reservoirs and waterways are however likely released by tired pet owners or have permanent growth defects.
A typical arowana.
The ima Sasuke, having a 'slalom' action which makes it look like a live, swimming baitfish on a straight retrieve.
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Tips on fishing for the arowana:
Arowana are shy fish and a little sudden action will agitate them and they will not bite. They are often found on topwater, capable of jumping out of the water into the air. The Ima Sasuke series is one of the many kinds of lures recommended to hook an arowana, for it is silent and realistic. Always move stealthily and quietly when fishing for arowana.Give a few hard sets to ensure that the hook is lodged firmly in the mouth of the fish. Keep the line tight and minimise line slack as fish leaps out of the water and throws the hook. Always remember to return it to the water as soon as possible to increase survival.
Peacock Bass- The freshwater beauty
Range of feeding: Surface to midwater
Baits that it takes: Small fish
Lures that it takes: Surface lures such as poppers and pencil lures
Habitat: - Bedok reservoir, Lower Seletar reservoir, Macritchie reservoir
- Fishing Paradise@ORTO stock them as of February 2016.
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Information about the peacock bass:
The peacock bass is green in colour with vertical bars on its side and shades of orange on its tail and fins. Males and females look similiar at birth and juvenile stage, but when males become mature, they develop a lump on their head. This fish is popular in the aquarium trade due to its beauty and it is no surprise if tired pet owners release it into the wild. This fish provides great fun on light tackle with lines of 4-6lb.
Left, a peacock bass. Right, a speckled peacock bass, also known as Temensis in Singapore. Temensis were introduced to Singapore along with the peacock bass and they grow slightly larger than it.
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Tips on fishing for the peacock bass:
Peacock bass are surface to midwater feeder so surface lures are highly recommended. They like to hide under vegetation so do cast under vegetation. Peacock bass are capable of bursts of speed with high stamina. Lures that generally resemble a baitfish will attract these predators. These fish are able to jump out of the water. When you catch one, release it as quick as possible as they die quite quickly if not returned to the water soon.
Note: During a hot day, fish like the peacock bass tends to congregate at the bottom of the water body so use bottom sinking lures to attract them at the bottom.
Even micro lures such as the Storm Gomoku Bulky Ring attract peacock bass. Its small profile entices wary fishes to check it out.
Red tail catfish- The Amazonian brute
Range of feeding: Bottom
Baits that it takes: Eats almost anything, including chicken liver, dead fish and even sausages
Lures that it takes: Most bottom lures should work well
Habitat: - Fishing Paradise@ORTO
- Catch-and-Release Iwarna
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Information about the red tail catfish:
As its name suggests, it has a striking red tail and a short and stocky body, originating from the Amazon. It has a large appetite and is very greedy, make it easy to hook. They don't hesitate in taking the bait and will quickly chomp down on it. However,it is a mean fighter with a body of solid muscle and capable of swimming around the pond quickly. High stamina is needed to win this fight.
Decent sized red tail catfish caught from the beginner pond at Fishing Paradise@ORTO. The boss says the heaviest red tail catfish in the beginner pond weighs about 16kg.
Tips on fishing for the red tail catfish:
The red tail catfish is a very strong fish so heavy duty tackle is recommended. They feed at the bottom so a bottom-feeding rig would work best. Strong-smelling bait is a must as catfishes hunt by scent. Use something strong and pungent, such as the Berkley Powerbait or Trigger X grubs. Red tail catfishes are very powerful fishes so prepare yourself for a long fight after hooking one.
Patin- the beginner's fish
Range of feeding: Surface to midwater
Baits that it takes: Bread, bomb rig pellets
Lures that it takes: Normally it does not take lures as it is a herbivorous fish
Habitat: - Fishing Paradise@ORTO, Iwarna fishing pond
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Information about the patin:
The patin is a scaleless catfish that can grow to a fairly large size, though not of benemoth proportions. It is raised in captivity as food fish and it is an expensive fish in Chinese restaurants due to their juicy taste. It is a herbivorous catfish and in the wild, it feeds on plant matter. In pay ponds, their diet is quite different, feeding on granulated rice bran or bread. These fishes can be commonly found in the water bodies of South East Asia.
Decent sized patin caught from the main pond at Fishing Paradise@ORTO. These fish offer great fun on light tackle.
Tips on fishing for the patin:
The patin is a great fish for beginners to test their skills. They are capable of pulling out a lot of line in a run but they do not have high stamina nor strength. This fish will occasionally be seen gulping your bread from the surface and you need to judge when to set the hook when that happens. As with all fishes, weak or strong, pump the rod and reel in line when the fish is not moving.
Chao Phraya catfish- the Thai monster
Range of feeding: Surface to midwater
Baits that it takes: Any meaty bait such as chicken liver and dead fish
Lures that it takes: Pencil lures and poppers
Habitat: - Fishing Paradise@ORTO, Iwarna fishing pond
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Information about the Chao Phraya catfish:
The Chao Phraya catfish is a enormous predatory catfish from the Chao Phraya river. It hunts in packs but can also be a scavenger.It is also known as the dog-eating catfish due to how it was caught on dog meat on one occasion. This fish is critically endangered, mostly found in pay ponds in Singapore with around 30kg+ specimens of them.
Enormous 60kg Chao Phraya catfish from IT Lake Monster in Thailand.
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Tips on fishing for the Chao Phraya catfish:
The Chao Phraya catfish is known for its immense strength so always use a heavy setup when fishing for these fishes. In Singapore, bait or lures can be used to catch this species. This fish take all kinds of bait, dead or alive. When a Chao Phraya catfish is interested in your lure, you will literally see a huge wave moving towards the lure. Continue retrieve your lure correctly,making sure to keep its attention. Use lures that are bright in colour it is a sight predator. When you hook one, set the hook tight in the mouth and the fish will be on. Prepare yourself physically and mentally for one of the hardest fights in your life.
Below are some colloquials for fishes in Singapore. Many are shortened names of the fish, while some are the names of fish in dialects.
Arowana: Aros​
Peacock bass: PB
Speckled peacock bass: Temensis, Temmy
Barramundi: Barra, Kim Bak Lor, KBL, Kim, Siakap
Red-tail catfish: RTC
Chao Phraya Catfish: CPC
References:
Deepseafishingsg. (2016). Deep Sea Fishing. Retrieved 18 August, 2016, from http://www.deepseafishing.sg/article5
In-text citation: (Deepseafishingsg, 2016)
Nusedusg. (2016). Nusedusg. Retrieved 18 August, 2016, from http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/marinefish/
In-text citation: (Nusedusg, 2016)