Water animals

 

Coastal horseshoe crab tachypleus gigas

They are usually seen at the edge of muddy and sandy shores, this is the place where they breed. They grow up to 39 centimeter long. The loss of sandy beach and mangrove habitats is a big danger to this species. Pollution threatens the coastal horseshoe crab as well. That is the reason that they are now considered as an endangered species. This is pretty bad, because their blood can be used to yield a particular, valuable and expensive serum, which can be used to detect bacterial toxins. They are one of the oldest animals on earth. Although their habitat has been developed and improved, they are still endangered in Singapore.

Coastal horseshoe crab – Source: Fotonomy (Poulet)

Feather star Himerometra robustipinna

This species lives completely exposed during the day, attached to coral rock. It uses his arms to cover and protect his oral region. This feather star has been seen for the first time in 1985. Unfortunately it hasn’t been seen recently, and due to lacking knowledge their national status is ‘data deficient’. They are good indicators of water quality and as we know the water quality in Singapore is not excellent, therefore there is some evidence to believe that this species is national extinct. Yet, this is not their official status! Their major threat is the aquarium trade.

Feather star – Source: Systematics without borders

Dwarf Rasbora Boraras maculatus

A very small fish that is found in fresh and acidic forest water and is critically endangered. In Singapore it is found in very small numbers in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. Outside of Singapore it is distributed in the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. The major threat is forest clearing. Aquarium trade might be a problem as well, though maybe is their number too small for collection.

Dwarf Rasbora – Source: Aquaportail.com