WILDPERU

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-01T15:20:00.000-08:00

Best Wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year to Everyone!!!

We are headed back to collect Wet Season Annual Killifish in January and February. Then I will be speaking at the West Coast Weekend Killie Extravaganza in San Francisco, California in April. Then I will be speaking at the AKA National Killifish Association convention in Baltimore, MD over Labor day! I will then return to Peru from June to September to collect all Summer. So if you are thinking about putting together a trip to the South American Tropics this year. Send me a PM and lets discuss your plans!!!

I will be speaking twice in November, 2010!!!

2010-09-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

I will be speaking to the San Francisco Aquarium Society on Nov. 5th and to the Sacramento Aquarium Society on Nov. 6th. If you are in the area either date, please stop in and say hello!

I am headed back to collet fish for all of October!

2010-09-27T16:55:00.001-07:00

I hope to report on some interesting fish we are planning to export to the USA next month. Please watch for up dates coming again in the weeks ahead!

2010 collecting season Recap!!

2010-09-27T16:10:00.001-07:00

Here is a group photo of the people involved in the Rio Pariamanu expedition. We explored the middle and upper reaches of this remote jungle river to look at the fish fauna there and we made some interesting finds.

Of course, one of the most "mission critical" members of any expedition is the cook! Here is Yesenia, our cook for five days on the river.

The river itself is a very sinuous lowland jungle river, typical of many such rivers in Peru and elsewhere in South America. Some of the rivers bends took us back within 50 meters of the adjacent portion! This makes for slow progress upstream. The trip up took five days. The trip back only 2!

A new Centromolchis spp. catfish. These were caught in schools of fifty, right in the main river near the confluence of small side streams.

A juvenile of a riverine predatory characin. It has an interesting white lateral line stripe and very strong dentition!

This 11 meter boat served as our "Home away from Home" for 7 days travel up and back. We camped at night on the sandy banks of the river. It is a very comfortable way to travel.

One night a toad came to visit our camp and pose for it's picture to be taken!

Here's Jeremy Basch and myself seining the upper river.

Good fun!

Many species of Sucker-mouthed catfishes are present here.

The further we progressed, the shallower and narrower the river became.

A parasitic catfish?

Here we are camped on a small tributary of the upper Pariamanu River called Quebrada San Juan. Here Yesenia is fixing dinner by the rivers edge, hoping that he rain holds off and the creek doesn't rise in the night!

On the way back we collected a nice golden form of a cichlid,

Burjurquina spp.

The trip itself was a great success!!!

Back from Machu Pichhu

2010-06-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

The clients are home with their families in Canada with a good story to tell. And I am happy to say they had a good trip collecting fish in the Madre de Dios region with WildPERU!

New Aphyolebias species???

2010-04-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

Comments welcome!

West Coast Weekend 2010

2010-04-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

After some technical difficulties (operator error) on my part, West Coast Weekend 2010 in Portland, Oregon, got off to a slow start and finished strongly with a 600 item auction that featured an incredible array of species for sale. Great company, great speakers and great fish are what make convention strong and this one exceeded everyone's expectations. Now I off to Lima. Stay tuned for more from WildPERU!!!

Killies of Bolivia

2010-03-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Moema spp.
Trigonectes spp?
Aphyolebias rubrocaudatus

YOY Ameiva?

2010-03-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

This cute little lizard was found in my shower! If you know what it is, please comment.

Same Cory as below

2010-03-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

This photo is of the same Bolivian Corydoras catfish we caught in February, however, this one is her out of the water, so you can really see the bright red Dorsal and green body!! Very special.

Rio Parimanu trip is now scheduled for July 7th-14, 2010!!!

2010-03-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

This is going to be an incredible adventure. 7 days camping and fish collecting on a largely unknown stretch of this beautiful river in Southern Peru. The last collecting effort there was attempted in 2003 when Lance Peck traveled 3 days upriver to sample it's lower reaches. We intend to spend a total of 7 days there and get as many as FIVE DAYS upriver before turning around and collecting our way back to civilization! This means camping and living in the dense jungle habitat of this remote river-jungle adventure at it's very best! There is still room for one more person. If this sounds interesting to you contact me immediately!

New Cory?

2010-02-14T05:57:00.000-08:00

I just got back fdrom the Rio Heath. Here's one of the fish I found. Thoughts?

En Peru

2010-01-23T19:19:00.000-08:00

I am back in Peru for a trip guiding clients to the Pampas Del Heath region for one week and then up to the cloud forest for a second week. With this El Niño weather pattern settling in, the rainfall is pretty heavy this year. I am hopeful to get into some remote areas on this trip if the water levels aren´t too high. It is the best time of year to view Orchids in the cloud forest!!!

Extraordinary Video on Hummingbirds

2010-01-13T17:55:00.000-08:00

http://video.pbs.org/video/1380512531

We see so many Hummers in our travels throughout Peru, but especially in the Cloud Forest.

Check out this great Website!!!

2010-01-02T08:26:00.000-08:00

The Rio Las Piedras is an amazing place, close to Puerto Maldonado and very easy for us to get to!!!

Enjoy:

http://robertofabbri.smugmug.com/Wildlife/Peru-Wildlife/9860937_WvzHD/1/671165927_ijr9x#670955656_ouqBj

2009-12-31T17:05:00.000-08:00

The Wilkinson Tour, July 2009.

After a night stay at our Bed and Breakfast in Lima, Tom Wilkinson and his daughter, Alissa, transferred back to the Lima Airport for their flight to the Jungle.

Meeting the plane

Tom and Alissa’s flight from Lima took approximately two hours, with a brief layover in Cusco to refuel and take on those passengers going on the next leg of their journey down into the jungle. We met them at the airport in Puerto Maldonado and took them directly to their hotel in town.

The clock tower in the Plaza de Armas in Puerto Maldonado

After settling them into their hotel room, we took them to see a little bit of the city. After Pizza dinner and a good nights sleep, we were off to the Brazilian border to sample the streams going north from Puerto Maldonado.

Here is our “Burro”. Four Wheel Drive and plenty of space for us and our gear:

Crossing the Madre de dios River by ferry

After driving for 3 hours north from Puerto Maldonado on the newly paved highway, we made it to the border crossing at Inapari. We had made plans to stay in Villa Assis, just across the Rio Acre in Brazil. The accommodations were extremely limited on the Peruvian side of the border, so it made the decision easier.

The new bridge spanning the Peru-Brazil border at the Rio Acre

There is a “Zona Libre” or free area at the border that does not require obtaining a Brazilian Visa to enter. This is the guesthouse that we stayed in when in Villa Assis.

While we waited for one of our crew to recover from a high fever we had time for this:

The Rio Acre at sunset. Peru is on the left, Brazil on the right.
In the cool of the evening we had a chance to walk back to the border and watch the sun set from the border crossing bridge. The next morning we were headed back to Puerto Maldonado sampling streams as we went.

Our Driver, Edgardo, standing on the brand new paved highway that runs north to the border with Brazil. This makes the trip much smoother and faster, thereby allowing us to cover much more collecting territory!!

Tom in search of Apistogramma rubrolineata. As we headed south we sampled many creeks along the highway however the previous night’s rain had raised the water levels in all of these streams, making collection much more difficult.

Here’s what he found.

An outstanding fish!

Incredible butterflies!!

The “dry” season in 2009 was considered unusual in terms of how wet it truly was. Many of the streams we would typically find easy to collect in at this time of year were high and muddy!

Storm over the Rio Madre de Dios at Puerto Maldonado

Alissa is showing us all how to catch Apistogramma luellingi!!!

Crenicara spp. aff. punctulatum.

Apistogramma leullingi male

When it was time for them to leave, they didn’t want to go home, and we wanted them to stay! Thanks Tom and Alissa! We are looking forward to your next collecting trip to the Madre de Dios region!!!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year Everyone!!!

2009-12-24T12:12:00.000-08:00

Red & Green

Are the colors of Christmas!!!!

Gymnorhamichthys rondoni

2009-12-21T14:35:00.000-08:00

Ranitomeya biolat

2009-12-20T19:34:00.000-08:00

The "Bamboo Dart Frog", Ranitomeya biolat, is found in the bamboo forests of the Madre de Dios region.

Kids Come Collecting too!

2009-12-20T18:26:00.000-08:00

See a journal I wrote about my sons trip with me to collect in Peru this past summer, and some of the adventures we had right here:

http://forums.tfhmagazine.com/viewtopic.php?f=82&t=26730

Aquatic plant post on TFH forums

2009-12-18T10:39:00.000-08:00

http://forums.tfhmagazine.com/viewtopic.php?f=89&t=26724

If you have an interest in Aquatic plants, have a look. Any help with identification of these will be greatly appreciated.

WildPERU is on Facebook!

2009-12-18T10:35:00.000-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Puerto-Maldonado-Peru/WildPERU-custom-jungle-adventure-/204804909110?v=photos#/pages/Puerto-Maldonado-Peru/WildPERU-custom-jungle-adventure-/204804909110

Crencichla spp?

2009-12-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

A nice "Dwarf" Crencichla or Pike-cichlid we are finding near to Pto. Maldonado.

Orchids Interoceanica

2009-12-17T09:55:00.000-08:00

http://www.quintinlake.com/index.php#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=1&a=0&at=0

Here is an interesting group of photos that include some of the areas we will visit this Summer. The paving of the highway across the Andes will have far-reaching implications for the entire region. WildPERU wants to get into these areas, before they change irrevocably! Enjoy!

Aphyolebias rubrocaudatus Loc. sspp- KM11

2009-12-16T10:37:00.000-08:00

Here are some Killies we collected last February with Wim and Yvonne Suijker from Holland.

Some of Frans Vermeulen's wonderful photography!!! Look for more at his great website on South American Killifish www.itrainsfishes.net

Giant Otters!!!

2009-12-16T10:02:00.000-08:00

This is an oxbow lake we visit regularly. Incredible wildlife, plantlife and serene scenery combine to make this one of my top five places in the whole world!!(so far) Ahhhhh!!! I feel the tension come out of my body just watching this video!!

2009-12-14T10:38:00.000-08:00

What is this fish? If you think you can ID it for me, let me know. This is why I need a "Pleco. Expert" to come on the Rio Parimanu expedition this summer 2010. I really know only a little about identifying this group of fish. We find new catfish all the time and some of them are like this one: What is it? Is it new?

So I really need someone with knowledge of these fish to come along and help us sort these out. It's a chance for adventure off the main path, into an area that is, so far, unknown. If that sounds like something you'd like to try, send me and email!!

WildPERU website is now operational!!

2009-12-14T10:32:00.000-08:00

You can either click on the picture of Tom and Alissa Wilkinson and my son Eoghan fishing near Pto. Maldonado, or surf to this link:

www.wildperu.net

to reach the new company website!! Bookmark this site and return often, as I will be constantly adding content to it.

More Rivulus collecting

2009-12-10T21:37:00.000-08:00

This time we are collecting down in the Jungle near to an Oxbow lake. The fish we are catching is Rivulus christinae.

Corydoras weitzmani in the wild. This is the long version from which the first video was taken

2009-12-07T17:34:00.000-08:00

The first ever video of C. weitzmani in the Cloud Forest of Peru.

Cloud Forest Flowers and Falls

2009-12-03T14:15:00.000-08:00

Two Cories/One Stream

2009-12-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

This is a lowland jungle stream near Pto. Maldonado. Lance called the first one "C115" and said he has seen them up to 3.5" in length! The second one is very different. Note the nice Caudal barring!

Collecting Rivulus Killifish in the Cloud Forest

2009-12-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

A very nice location of Rivulus spp. aff. rubroliniatus collected in the cloud forest, This will give you a good idea of the sorts of habitats the Rivulus here favor.

Let's go Fishing!

2009-12-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

This is a "Chambira". They are one of the many sports fishing attractions in the rivers here. These are best fished at some depth (3 meters or so) with sinking line and, shock tippets and big heavy Tarpon flies. One caveat: always get the guide to remove the hook!! Haha!

Butterflies

2009-12-02T10:06:00.000-08:00

This video was taken next to a small stream flowing into the Rio Inambari.

We are headed to the Cloud Forest!!!

2009-12-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

Cock-of-the-Rock. Just one of the spectacular array of bird species to be seen in the Cloud Forest.

Kids Come Collecting too!

2009-11-26T08:57:00.001-08:00

This is my 13 year old son, Eoghan, fishing for Aphyolebias, late in the season. He's already got the "hang" of it!!

New Moema or Trigonectes? Your opinion counts!

2009-11-26T08:54:00.001-08:00

I have heard both opinions. What is yours?

Please meet WildPERU's manager in Pto. Maldonado!!

2009-11-26T07:15:00.001-08:00

William "Willy" Wither. Has lived and worked in the Pto. Maldonado area since the 1970's; first in tourism at some of the lodges that were being established here and later as a free-lance guide. Willys boundless energy and extensive knowledge of and contacts in the area make him the most valuable resource for our clients coming to visit the Madre de Dios. His enthusiasm and friendly personality makes everyone feel welcome!

New location for Checkerboard Cichlids and Apistogramma luellingi

2009-11-25T20:57:00.001-08:00

New Allobates spp??

2009-11-25T20:47:00.000-08:00

I have shown this to a number of Herpetologists, and none of them are certain what this is. It appears to be a member of the genus Allobates. Here are photos of the dorsal and ventral areas of the frog.

New Aphyolebias species???

2009-11-25T12:56:00.000-08:00

I am still waiting to hear the verdict on whether this is a new species of Aphyolebias killifish or not! What is your opinion?

Orchid Discovery and Pampas del Heath

2009-11-25T12:24:00.000-08:00

Our next outing will start February 1st, and officially open the 2010 collecting season. First we will be headed to the Pampas del Heath along the border with Boliva. This is one of the last savanna habitats existing in it's natural state in all of South America (many of them have been converted to grazing lands), and the only one of it's kind in Peru. PDH boasts a wonderful array of specialized wildlife from Giant anteaters & Toco Toucans to forest deer and wild dogs. After a week exploring this area, we are headed up to the Cloud forest. February is the wet season, and it will be, well, very wet! It is always wet in the Cloud forest, but February is "Primetime" for viewing orchids. So for putting up with a little rain (no problem for us Portlanders.... Haha!) we'll be in for a real visual treat. This region boasts nearly 60 species of Hummingbirds, & Cock-of-the-Rock. Spectacled Bear, Tayra and Tapir can be seen as well. The Cloud Forest is home to many new species of frogs that have so far await discovery and there are many streams that have never seen a net, let alone any systematic inventory or survey. See the video in the last post. This is one example of the fish that we will see.

Brian

Corydoras weitzmani in the wild.

2009-11-25T11:41:00.000-08:00

The first video of Corydoras weitzmani in the wild, 2005.

2009-11-25T11:33:00.001-08:00

This is a male Rivulus killifish collected at the location "La Casita Azul". It is a nice location for R. christinae.

Welcome to WildPeru

2009-11-25T10:41:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the WildPERU Blog! We are just getting started!!! Bookmark us and come back frequently to see new information and progress.

Ciao,

Brian Perkins