Tropical Transparent Fish - Glass Fish - X-Ray Fish

Below are photos of tropical freshwater transparent fish or glass fish. Not exactly transparent but the fish bones are clearly visible. This means, technically it not a see-through fish.

The transparent fish in the photos below probably lacks black pigment, called "nacre". It's exact species is unknown but my guess is that is an X-ray fish - Pristella maxillaris.


Cropped photo of freshwater X-ray fish


Photo of freshwater X-ray fish


Photo of freshwater X-ray fish

For more hi-resolution photos, check out my Flickr Fish Gallery.

Photo taken at Sarawak Museum Aquarium.

Other type of transparent fish: Zebrafish

Some transparent fish such as the see-through zebrafish are use by scientists and researchers to directly view its internal organs, and observe processes like tumor metastasis and blood production after bone-marrow transplant in a living organism.

Other type of transparent fish: icefishes

The icefishes (or white-blooded fishes) are a family (Channichthyidae) of perciform fish found in the cold waters around Antarctica and southern South America.

Their blood is transparent because they have no hemoglobin and/or only defunct erythrocytes. Their metabolism relies only on the oxygen dissolved in the liquid blood, which is believed to be absorbed directly through the skin from the water. This works because water can dissolve the most oxygen when it is coldest. In five species, the gene for myoglobin in the muscles has also vanished, leaving them with white instead of pink hearts.

Related posts:
* Added May 26, 2008: Photo of Pristella maxillaris - X-ray fish - Series #2

Flat-back Tractor Millipede - Polydesmid

Photos of black and white flat-back tractor millipede crawling on jungle floor. This millipede belongs to the Polydesmid invertebrate species and have around 25 legs on one side.

This flat millipede is quicker than the round millipedes but still eats the same foods including rotten wood and dead leaves.





For hi-resolution, click on my Flickr Gallery: Millepede

Guan Yin Pagoda, Sibu, Sarawak

Guan Yin Pagoda also called The Goddess of Mercy Pagoda in Sibu is a seven-story pagoda built at the compound of the Tua Pek Kong Temple. Originally built in 1871 with statue and decorative items shipped from China, the pagoda was rebuilt in 1957 with concrete.

The Guan Yin Pagoda and the temple is located next to the majestic Rajang River and is a famous landmark in Sibu.


Center shot at the pagoda entrance, top story of the main pagoda and the yellow miniature pagoda (top most).


Pagoda on pagoda. Notice the yellow miniature pagoda on the roof of Guan Yin Pagoda.


Photo taken from the Sibu Express Wharf. Express Boats on the left, the pagoda at the end.

For hi-resolution and large photo format, click on my Flickr Gallery: Pagoda

Related topics:
* More pictures on Ling San Pagoda, Tuaran, Sabah

Dragon Statue - Series #1

Dragon Statues found at Guan Yin Pagoda, Sibu, Sarawak.


12x zoom


8x zoom


The 12x and 8x zoom dragon is located on the left side. See the size differences.


Another dragon status (green and red).


Another dragon statue (yellow)

For hi-resolution and larger photo size, click on my Flickr Gallery: Dragon Statue

Paper wasps - Polistes chinensis

Nest of Asian Paper Wasps overhanging from a bougainvillea plants.


The paper wasps in this photo have a single yellow ring (taper) on it's abdomen.



Paper Wasp, common name for medium- to large-sized wasps that construct nests made of a papery (papier-mache-like) material formed by chewing plant and wood fibers together with saliva. The nests consist of a single upside-down layer of brood cells (compartments for the young). There are approximately 700 species world-wide. Most are found in the tropics of the western hemisphere as well as tropical regions.



Paper wasps are sometimes called "umbrella wasps" because their nests consist of a single exposed comb suspended by a narrow stalk.

Paper wasps are considered beneficial insects due to their predation on non-beneficial garden pests. Unfortunately, wasps will defend their nest if disturbed and sting repeatedly.

For hi-resolution photos, click on my Flickr Gallery, Insect - Wasps

Kuching City Councils - MBKS - DBKU

Kuching City being the state capital of Sarawak, East Malaysia is govern by two city councils that is the southern part by Kuching South City Council (Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan - MBKS). The south city council is also known as The Council of the City of Kuching South.

The northern part is govern by Kuching North City Hall (Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara - DBKU). A portion of space on the lobby level in this building was allocated for the Cat Museum.


MBKS Council Building. Click on the image for larger size.

Photo taken from Sarawak Plaza car park.


DBKU Council Building. Click on the image for larger size.

Photo taken from DBKU terrace garden.

Information on Kuching Cat Museum, Kuching. A unique museum dedicated for the cat. A must visit for cat lovers.

If you love felines, do not miss the Cat Museum in Kuching which is the world's first museum devoted to cats. It is located on top of a hill called Bukit Siol. There are four main galleries having more than 2,000 cat artifacts and memorabilia from all over the world. One of its fascinating display is a mummified cat discovered Egypt sometimes between 3000BC - 3500BC. Discover for yourself the extraordinary world of cats.

Opening Daily: 0900am - 0500pm except 1st day of Major Festivals and Public Holiday.
Location: Lobby Floor, Kuching North City Hall building, Jalan Samariang
Link: www.dbku.gov.my/catmuseum

Tropical Moths and Butterflies, Series #3

This is the third series on tropical moths and butterflies.


A close up shot of a moth-like insect perched on a wire.


12x zoom of a gray and white butterfly.







A yellow butterfly.

For more bigger and high-resolution photos, check out my gallery of Butterflies and Moths.

Related posts:
* Moths and Butterflies, Series #1
* Moths and Butterflies, Series #2

Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 4

This is the 4th series on tropical wild mushroom photos collection.


Top: White jelly-like mushrooms.



Top: Tropical white mushrooms. Photo taken on a padi field.



Top: A button mushroom growing on a burned stump of a bamboo.



Top: An oyster mushroom.

Related topics:
* Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 1
* Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 2
* Tiny mushroom - Toad stool - Fungi, Series 3

* More pictures on Tropical Wild Mushroom