Hi everyone

  It appears that my recent articles on the Hualorhan have made it to the top of the Most Frequently Visited web-page list on this web site. The reason for the popularity of the articles is most likely the hunger for information on this new breed of hybrid fish from Malaysia.

  That's why I am continuing my write-ups on the Hualorhan today. I think it's important to share information with fellow Hualorhan-lovers.

  The Hualorhan is an intelligent creature. It recognises its owner and fears strangers. So when you bring a friend home to take a look at it, please move slowly in front of the tank or you will frighten your pet fish. It may take the fish some five to ten minutes to get used to the visitor. When it has got used to the visitor, it will come out from its home niche and resume its usual behaviour.

  Because the Hualorhan recognises its owner, you, as its owner should treat it like any other pet - get close to it; put your hand to the glass of the tank initially and stroke the fish with your fingers (though you are not really touching it). You'll find it responding to you by swishing its tail vigorously or remaining at the spot while you continue the stroking.

  Later, when both you and the Hualorhan have got used to each other, you can try to touch it in the water. Place a hand in the water and move it slowly towards the fish. If it is frightened (most likely it won't be), keep your hand still for a while and then draw it closer to the fish. If it bites you; don't worry. It's a natural reaction.

  Next, place a cube of frozen blood worms in your fingers and entice the Hualorhan with it. Your Hualorhan will eat the food. Continue training the fish this way. After a couple of months, you can progress further by touching its forehead or its side. Don't forget, the Hualorhan likes to be touched - either in the water or virtually from the other side of the glass of the tank.

  Just make sure you wash your hand/arm before dipping it into the water. You don't want to accidentally introduce chemicals into the water for who knows what you were doing earlier! Also, never allow kids to poke their hands into the water - you know what kids are like! Make sure when you are not around that they don't sneak up to the tank and dip their hands into the tank.

  In my earlier articles, I mentioned the Pasir Ris Farmways. Some of you may not know how to get there so I am giving the directions now. There are many aquariums there and some are far apart so you need to drive or ride there.

  If you are approaching Pasir Ris town from Hougang using the Tampines Expressway (TPE), turn left into Pasir Ris Drive 12. At the first junction, turn left again into Pasir Ris Drive 1 (the wafer plants/buildings are on your left). Move along this road to the next junction and turn right into Pasir Ris Farmway 2. This is the start of the aquarium roads.

   From here, you can explore the farmway roads and visit as many aquariums as you like - there must be at least 50 of them - and if you wish to go to the more popular ones but don't know which ones are popular, don't fret; just follow the other cars and go where they go.

  Do shop around and compare prices before you buy - some of the prices differ greatly from aquarium to aquarium - for you don't want to end up hitting yourself on the head for having bought a fish from one store only to find a similar fish at a much lower price at another.

  Most people prefer to buy a male Hualorhan. I guess it's because it is said that the bump on the Hualorhan's head - should it become a bump - is more pronounced on the male than the female. That prized bump is what most Hualorhan lovers aim for. It is also said that some food pellets will bring out the bump on the Hualorhan's head.

  Now, for an important question - how to tell a female from a male? Well, it's quite straight-forward really. Look at the Hualorhan's dorsal fin (the fin at the top of its body). If you see a couple of black stripes, say two or more, radiating from the top of its body, that's a female. (See picture below) Also a female Hualorhan has a dainty look on its face.

  That's all for today! Have fun!

You can e-mail to us your comments on the above FRONTPAGE STORY. Quote this number 270502 on the subject heading and address your e-mail to editor@getforme.com. Your comments will appear HERE!

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