Herman Bernad
Cant actually believe that I’m doing this, and by this I mean blogging! Man! I cant even stand computers, what more sitting in front of one right this very moment and cracking my thick skull, finding something to pen down….well here goes. Err..a bit of myself (well that’s what Josh commanded me to do)
Yes, I work at the Zoo (..stop laughing), and no I’m not there hangging around with my cousins, though some inmates do resemble those dear relatives of mine (now i’m in deep trouble!). I actually work as the Assistant Curator of ATAR (Akuarium Tunku Abdul Rahman). Its the first public aquarium in this country to actually showcase Malaysian aquatic flora and fauna with wetland conservation as the main underlying theme of the aquarium. The Malaysian River Journey is the main story line for this aquarium with covers the seven main zones found along a typical Malaysian river system i.e. Upperstream, Midstream, Wetlands, Lower River, Peat Swamps, Mangroves and lastly the Coral Reef and Marine systems. Its really a cool place (not to mention wet, wet, wet..)place to work in. I actually get paid to work my hobby and passion i.e. aquarium keeping, fishing, landscaping, fieldwork etc….now that’s cooool..and I really owe all of this to God! Never knew He actually had answered all my prays and hearts desires.
Well, I hope to tell you more of my journeys and adventures in carrying out my job and hobby and my goal of completing one of the most comprehensive aquariums in Malaysia, together with my good bud in Christ, Joshua. Look out for new posts and pictures of our new findings, adventures and research in this link. Hope you guys..and gals, love it. God bless!
10:11 am on August 12th, 2008 1
Don’t mention commanded, its urging to be more accurate!
3:26 pm on August 13th, 2008 2
Funny you should say that. I started one but nobody knows about it yet. LOL
1:54 pm on August 15th, 2008 3
hi Herman
we met during the Zoo`s open day & I did the carnivorous plants exhibits. good to know that you are still actively pursuing your interests & job. i`ll check on your blog when i can for your updates….
btw, we are having a small plant stall at Calvary chursh family day
at bkt jalil golf & country club on 6th Sept 2008. do swing by ( t-a-r-z-a-n or what ) if u happen to be free.
cheers, Tarence
9:47 pm on August 21st, 2008 4
Herman,
Missed our field trip collecting fishes and affinis the other time. Nice to see you blogging. At least I can see some nice pictures even when I am not joining..
Yoong
11:55 pm on September 12th, 2008 5
Herman, great blog. didn’t see your email address so I thought I’d ask in this blog. I’m trying to set up a Malaysian River Biotope in my 55 gallon (us) aquarium, and was hoping you’d have some pictures or advice/descriptions you could share with me. I’m trying to feature anabantoids (Pearl Gourami in particular) and crypt species (looking for suggestions). Can you advise on aquascape setup (substrate color/size, rocks, wood, etc), companion fish and plants? many thanks
3:33 pm on September 15th, 2008 6
Hi Jeff, welcome to my blog.
Herman is busy man, u may need to wait a bit for him to reply.
Trichogaster leeri is commonly found in swamp instead of river.
my suggestion is this
Swamp biotope
——————–
A big branchy DW, use sand + affricana + bit of peat soil to make a browny color water. Crypts to use like C. Minima, purpurea, cordata will be nice.
Put some floating plant like salvinia molesta or pistia stratiotes, gourami simply love it.
River biotope
——————
Sand + volcanic coarse + big stone. some hair grass and crypt. Suggest affinis and bullosa.
provide some current(gourami hate this)
8:49 am on September 16th, 2008 7
Hi Jeff,
Really sorry for not replying sooner…Josh is right, I am rather busy trying to hurry preparing my zoo aquarium for its official launch March 09. Been out often gathering specimens and DIY most of our exhibits, posters etc.
Good idea bout setting up of a Malaysian type tank…but just to enquire, would getting the suggested plants be a problem for you? I mean, we could always suggest stuff but if you have no excess to it, it would be rather difficult for you. What kind of SEAsian crypts would you be able to get your hands on?
If you could let ne know soon, than we could help set the best landscape or theme for you.
Cheers
Herman
10:13 am on September 27th, 2008 8
Hey buddy!!
LOL! Now this is something new…you getting on blog and actually typed that long intro. Cool!
Cheers!
10:53 pm on October 1st, 2008 9
Ha,ha…once I start, there’s no stopping me….ha,ha,ha…. then again I may just get lazy, which is rather typical of me..so keep the fingers crossed!