Chester Zoo Chester Zoo News 2024

They're off show but will be moved back on display for the Heart of Africa precinct scheduled to open next year.
Does anyone have a list of all the species offshow for the heart of Africa construction?
 
A new species to look out for - less than an inch long, with silvery females and shiny turquoise-blue males - Daisy's ricefish (Oryzias woworae). I spotted them in an unlabelled tank in the Monsoon Forest, between the jewel wasps and the big spider. I also saw a female ricefish in the little tank at the end of the first bay in the Aquarium (which was previously labelled for dwarf puffers, although I never saw them), so I think it was probably the same species.
This species unusual names come from Daisy Wowora, who collected the first specimen from a stream in Sulawesi. As they mature, the males will show red edges to their fins and the females will get a golden sheen: hopefully keen-eyed observers will also see a female carrying eggs, hanging from the vent by a filament, like a tiny colourless bunch of grapes - which will eventually get brushed off as the female swims through plants.
They are worth looking out for ;)
 
A new species to look out for - less than an inch long, with silvery females and shiny turquoise-blue males - Daisy's ricefish (Oryzias woworae). I spotted them in an unlabelled tank in the Monsoon Forest, between the jewel wasps and the big spider. I also saw a female ricefish in the little tank at the end of the first bay in the Aquarium (which was previously labelled for dwarf puffers, although I never saw them), so I think it was probably the same species.
This species unusual names come from Daisy Wowora, who collected the first specimen from a stream in Sulawesi. As they mature, the males will show red edges to their fins and the females will get a golden sheen: hopefully keen-eyed observers will also see a female carrying eggs, hanging from the vent by a filament, like a tiny colourless bunch of grapes - which will eventually get brushed off as the female swims through plants.
They are worth looking out for ;)
Interesting, I'll hopefully fit in a visit within the next week and try to get a photo but if it is where I think it is, getting a clear photo may be a bit challenging.
 
A new species to look out for - less than an inch long, with silvery females and shiny turquoise-blue males - Daisy's ricefish (Oryzias woworae). I spotted them in an unlabelled tank in the Monsoon Forest, between the jewel wasps and the big spider;)

For those of you who do not understand the precise scientific description "Big Spider" it is the female Singapore Blue Tarantula Omothymus violaceopes.:p

I'm sure Gentle Lemur had forgotten what it was.
 
For those of you who do not understand the precise scientific description "Big Spider" it is the female Singapore Blue Tarantula Omothymus violaceopes.:p

I'm sure Gentle Lemur had forgotten what it was.
No, I heard a schoolboy beside me call his teacher over "I can see the big spider!", so I was quoting him exactly. I did remember there was a large spider there on my last visit - but I didn't give it more than a glance and I don't know if it's the same one or a substitute. I think it's clear that I am far more interested in little fishes than in big spiders :)
 
Shame I didn't see them that often but last time I did one was chasing one of the sun bears which was very amusing to watch
 
A new species to look out for - less than an inch long, with silvery females and shiny turquoise-blue males - Daisy's ricefish (Oryzias woworae). I spotted them in an unlabelled tank in the Monsoon Forest, between the jewel wasps and the big spider. I also saw a female ricefish in the little tank at the end of the first bay in the Aquarium (which was previously labelled for dwarf puffers, although I never saw them), so I think it was probably the same species.
This species unusual names come from Daisy Wowora, who collected the first specimen from a stream in Sulawesi. As they mature, the males will show red edges to their fins and the females will get a golden sheen: hopefully keen-eyed observers will also see a female carrying eggs, hanging from the vent by a filament, like a tiny colourless bunch of grapes - which will eventually get brushed off as the female swims through plants.
They are worth looking out for ;)
Nice and I love the narrative behind them. I suppose it will also draw attention to the plight of native / endemic Sulawesi freshwater fish. BTW: between 60-80% of all freshwater fish globally are endangered ...., so it is about time zoos invest in some of these programs properly (and they can actually be set up quite easily ...., EAZA has finally set up major family focus groups for them).
 
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