- checking login information
Loading...“Extinct” Trout Found in Japanese Lake
- Jake Richardson
- December 17, 2010
- 7:11 am
- 74 comments
The kunimasu trout, a fish believed extinct for the last 60-70 years, has been found in a lake near Mount Fuji. The species used to live in Lake Tazawa, which was polluted when river water was added for a hydroelectric power project. The river water was very acidic and killed the trout. Recently Kyoto University Professor Tetsuji Nakabo and TV personality Sakana-kun (Mr. Fish), found the trout again in Saiko Lake in the midst of a mess of rainbow trout.
DNA analysis confirmed the unrecognized trout as kunimasu. There were actually nine mixed in with the catch of rainbow trout. About 100,000 kunimasu eggs were brought to Saiko Lake from Lake Tazawa before the hydroelectric project construction fouled the waters of Tazawa. Because the eggs were brought there 75 years ago, it is likely the re-population efforts were simply forgotten and no follow-up was conducted or documented.
Oddly, Saiko Lake fishermen knew of the kunimasu being there, but they have called them “black trout.”
Lake Saiko – where the trout was re-discovered
Sakana-kun said, “We should take this opportunity to think about the value of nature and living creatures, so as not to send any species to extinction.” (Source: Yomiuri.co.jp) Sometimes an animal believed extinct that is re-discovered is called a Lazarus species. Let’s hope the kunimasu is not perceived as exotic due to its unusual story and fished into extinction (again).
Image Credit: Kyoto University
Lake Image Credit: Amarpreet.singh.in
Related Links
Possible New Lemur Discovered
Bear Population Recovering in Mississippi
Radioactive Fish in Vermont
Parrot Species Believed Extinct Rebounds to 1,000
Read more: Nature, Nature & Wildlife, Pets, Wildlife, extinct, fish, trout
.jpg)
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
people are talking
Thanks for the info..will stick to using corks for my wooden floors - suits the style better
Of course!
so sad..they are such beautiful cats
We made up dates for our cats birthdays corresponding to how old the vet said they probably were. Wh…
Tumeria, in the UK there are many areas where the climate is too wet to grow crops well, but cattle …
74 comments
+ add your ownknew
makes a person wonder how many species have gone extinct that we never new about.............
Thank you Jake, for Sharing this!
great news
Probably the best discovery since the coelacanth.
Nature has a way of looking after itself!
This is exciting that the knunimasu trout thought to be extinct has been found.
Great News, thanks Jake.
Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Life keeps fighting.
Great news. Thanls.
Interesting, thank you.
login to add your comment
use your care2 login
add your comment