Innovating and setting an example by reusing discarded items of IMC (Indore Municipal Corporation), Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya, Indore has set up an aquarium bringing a variety of fresh water fishes to the city. The aquarium has been built with no cost to the zoo.
“Fishes are one of the most important groups of vertebrates for humans, and it is not only fascinating to see their unique activities, but also an essential part of learning for students,” Dr Uttam Yadav, city zoo in-charge said.
He explained that many young visitors and tourists had expressed the need for an aquarium in the zoo last year. “We wanted to have an ecosystem where fishes can be a part of the exhibit and we can conserve special species,” Yadav said.
However, investing in building an aquarium required permissions and approvals from budget. “So, we decided to innovate and re-use discarded wood and items to prepare this aquarium,” Yadav said.
Starting from one tiny exhibit, the city zoo now has over 6 large exhibits showcasing variety of fresh water fishes. “Most of these fishes are brought locally, so we did not have bear any major cost,” Yadav said.
What has been transformed & how?
The tables and water tanks were prepared by zoo authorities using old railings from Annapurna road. The road has undergone some renovations with replacement of railings. The railings were stored in city zoo and discarded to be useless.
The same railings were cut and built into tables to provide a place for fishes. The old tanks were repaired and cleaned with chemicals. Old tyres of cars were reused to form chairs and tables around the fish tanks.
In all, the plain looking area towards the end of city zoo round near the city zoo hospital has been transformed into a colourful arena for fishes.
Some fish species in the colourful aquarium
Rohu (Labeo Rohita)
Rohu is a species of carp family, found in rivers of Indian subcontinent and extensively used in aqua-culture. The large silver coloured Rohu fish is an important aqua cultured freshwater species. Rohu is a large, silver-coloured fish of typical cyprinid shape, with a conspicuously arched head. Adults can reach a maximum weight of 45 kg (99 lb) and maximum length of 2 m (6.6 ft).
Cichlids
Cichlids are an extremely diverse family of fishes, most of which are found in rift lakes in Africa. There are more than 500 species in just three lakes of Africa. The ones in city zoo are specialized feeders, which allow many different types to live together without much competition.
Guppy (Poecilia reticulate)
The guppy is also known as million fish and rainbow fish. It is one of the world's most widely distributed tropical fish, and one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species.
Stripped zebrafish (Danio rerio)
This is a freshwater fish belonging to the minnow family (Cyprinidae) of the order Cypriniformes. Native to India, these fishes can reach up to 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) in length, although they typically are 1.8–3.7 cm (0.7–1.5 in) in the wild with some variations depending on location.
Tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii)
It is distinguishable from other species of the genus in having a red dorsal fin with a black blotch at the tip, red pectoral, pelvic and anal fins and 8 scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line. It grows up to 14 inches (35 cm) in length.
“Fishes are one of the most important groups of vertebrates for humans, and it is not only fascinating to see their unique activities, but also an essential part of learning for students,” Dr Uttam Yadav, city zoo in-charge said.
He explained that many young visitors and tourists had expressed the need for an aquarium in the zoo last year. “We wanted to have an ecosystem where fishes can be a part of the exhibit and we can conserve special species,” Yadav said.
However, investing in building an aquarium required permissions and approvals from budget. “So, we decided to innovate and re-use discarded wood and items to prepare this aquarium,” Yadav said.
Starting from one tiny exhibit, the city zoo now has over 6 large exhibits showcasing variety of fresh water fishes. “Most of these fishes are brought locally, so we did not have bear any major cost,” Yadav said.
What has been transformed & how?
The tables and water tanks were prepared by zoo authorities using old railings from Annapurna road. The road has undergone some renovations with replacement of railings. The railings were stored in city zoo and discarded to be useless.
The same railings were cut and built into tables to provide a place for fishes. The old tanks were repaired and cleaned with chemicals. Old tyres of cars were reused to form chairs and tables around the fish tanks.
In all, the plain looking area towards the end of city zoo round near the city zoo hospital has been transformed into a colourful arena for fishes.
Some fish species in the colourful aquarium
Rohu (Labeo Rohita)
Rohu is a species of carp family, found in rivers of Indian subcontinent and extensively used in aqua-culture. The large silver coloured Rohu fish is an important aqua cultured freshwater species. Rohu is a large, silver-coloured fish of typical cyprinid shape, with a conspicuously arched head. Adults can reach a maximum weight of 45 kg (99 lb) and maximum length of 2 m (6.6 ft).
Cichlids
Cichlids are an extremely diverse family of fishes, most of which are found in rift lakes in Africa. There are more than 500 species in just three lakes of Africa. The ones in city zoo are specialized feeders, which allow many different types to live together without much competition.
Guppy (Poecilia reticulate)
The guppy is also known as million fish and rainbow fish. It is one of the world's most widely distributed tropical fish, and one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species.
Stripped zebrafish (Danio rerio)
This is a freshwater fish belonging to the minnow family (Cyprinidae) of the order Cypriniformes. Native to India, these fishes can reach up to 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) in length, although they typically are 1.8–3.7 cm (0.7–1.5 in) in the wild with some variations depending on location.
Tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii)
It is distinguishable from other species of the genus in having a red dorsal fin with a black blotch at the tip, red pectoral, pelvic and anal fins and 8 scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line. It grows up to 14 inches (35 cm) in length.