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Lake Matano cleanup – May 2025
Positive news from Lake Matano, where local communities are committed to protecting and sustaining this unique home to many endemic species.
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Sulawesi shrimp hobby in China
Insight into Sulawesi shrimp keeping in China. What species are available there, what equipment and products are used?
Spearfishing in Matano – February 2025
Targeted capture of invasive fish is the only environmentally friendly method that gives hope to Lake Matano and its endemic inhabitants.
Crossbreeding Sulawesi shrimps
Is it possible to keep several species of Sulawesi shrimps together in the same aquarium? Does crossbreeding occur? And is it a problem at all?
Sulawesi shrimp mating – any insights?
Jude Sun from China presents observations and interesting photos from his aquariums. Sulawesi shrimp keepers, what are your insights?
Lake Poso 2024 – classroom aquariums
We installed aquariums in five schools near Lake Poso, presenting a piece of this unique underwater world.
Lake Poso 2024 – seminars in schools
After the field trips, we visited two schools and presented the biodiversity of Lake Poso, our activities, and also the possibilities for everyone to get involved in exploring and protecting this unique place.
Lake Poso 2024 – below the surface
20 photos taken below the surface of Lake Poso, showing its beauty and endemic species.
Lake Poso 2024 – field trips with students
In May 2024, we explored Lake Poso together with our friends from Mosintuwu and students from local schools. A very enjoyable experience – not only for the kids!
Sulawesi Keepers at autumn meetings
A summary of our participation in very interesting events where we actively spread awareness about the threats plaguing freshwater endemics of Sulawesi.
8 current threats to Malili Lakes in Sulawesi
An overview of all the factors that can lead to the extinction of dozens of endemic invertebrate species in unique ancient lakes.
Sulawesi Keepers Annual Report 2023
Our 2023 annual report is finally compiled and approved – full of information, figures, plans and photos. Take a look under the hood!
Caridina dennerli is not yet extinct in 2024
Up-to-date information on the population status of this iconic freshwater shrimp, which inhabits only one lake and faces major threats from invasive fish.
Matt Liang: How I keep Sulawesi shrimps
Matt from China introduces us to his Sulawesi shrimp keeping practices and experiences. He relies on effective filtration and minimal feeding.
Update of our Conservation breeding program after 6 months
We are offering several species of fish to new interested breeders and at the same time we are looking for allies for our efforts.
Biodiversity goes to school – and vice versa
Our partner from Lake Poso organized another event for local schools. Students said it was their first experience learning about species diversity and conservation efforts.
Underwater drone project
We are planning a very special adventure this year! Using an underwater drone to explore Sulawesi lakes. It will help us make conservation work look cool 🙂
Sulawesi Keepers are on YouTube
We have published the first video on our brand new YouTube channel. It introduces in five minutes the main problem plaguing the Malili Lakes and their invertebrate inhabitants, as well as the Sulawesi Keepers international initiative.
Snails of Lake Poso
One of the magical lakes of the island of Sulawesi hides a treasure for snail lovers :-). Lots of undescribed tylomelanias, rare miratesta and other unknown snails…
Mugilogobius adeia – the greatest breeding challenge
Attractive appearance and interesting behavior – this is a goby that lives only in Lake Matano in Sulawesi. Fifteen years after the first import to Europe, we are still waiting for the first successful breeding.
Aquatic plants of Sulawesi (part 4): Ottelia alismoides
Huge plant with beautiful, fresh green leaves. Finding its thick growth and snorkeling above this "prime forest" is a great experience!
First Seminar on Lake Poso Biodiversity
We invited school representatives and students to a seminar on the unique biodiversity of Lake Poso and presented them with the possibility of bringing a piece of it to schools.
We are launching a conservation breeding program for fish from Sulawesi
We are building a network of responsible breeders who want to preserve endangered species in aquariums. We start with fish.
Best of Sulawesi 2023: aquatic plants
See pictures of more and less known plant species that provide shelter for animals and their green tones enliven the stony lakes of Sulawesi.
Best of Sulawesi 2023: fish
Gobies, halfbeaks, ricefishes and sailfin silversides in their natural environment. You won't see this anywhere else but Sulawesi. Come snorkel with us!
Best of Sulawesi 2023: crabs
We can't breed them in aquariums yet. However, observing crabs in their natural environment can teach us a lot…
Best of Sulawesi 2023: shrimps
Being surrounded by thousands of pelagic shrimps is the most special experience when snorkeling in the Sulawesi lakes. But we had to search hard for other shrimps…
Best of Sulawesi 2023: snails
Protected by a robust shell, but at the same time very vulnerable and threatened. Giant and miniature. These are Sulawesi snails.
Best of Sulawesi 2023: trip highlights
A selection of the highlights of what we saw, experienced, discovered and tested on a recent expedition to Lakes Poso, Matano and Towuti.
Lake Poso Biodiversity Adventure in Dulumai
Kurniawan P. Bandjolu from Institut Mosintuwu, our strong partner in Lake Poso area, shares with us his experiences of recent exploration and collection of lake biota with local children.
New exhibit of freshwater conservation breeding projects in the Pilsen Zoo
Pilsen Zoo has opened a new exhibit promoting endangered freshwater fish and conservation breeding initiatives. Sulawesi Keepers are also featured!
Aquatic plants of Sulawesi (part 3): Nymphoides sp. from Malili Lakes
Another unmistakable plant from the Sulawesi lakes is also known by its name Nymphoides sp. "Lymnocharus". It has odd shaped leaves and floating flowers.
MEGAZOO and their mega donation to Sulawesi Keepers
Our project received significant financial support: €15,000 from MEGAZOO & Friends with the help of AKWB. It is a commitment that we do not relent in our efforts and work hard for a better future for the Sulawesi lakes.
Our Saturdays belong to Sulawesi shrimps, says Alex Winterhalder
A lot of hand work and time dedicated to keeping Sulawesi aquariums clean. This is the strategy of Alex Winterhalder and his family, who share their experience with us.
Lake Poso minimuseum on tour
Institut Mosintuwu, our partner from Lake Poso, has been active in promoting local biodiversity. On the occasion of the village festival in Peura, about 100 people showed great interest.
New SK member: Muhammad Iqram
Sulawesi Keepers have a new member – and the first ever to come directly from Sulawesi! Iqram makes expeditions to Lake Matano, where he gathers important information.
Sulawesi Keepers Annual Report 2022
How was 2022? How did our team and portfolio of our activities grow, what topics did we focus on the most, what relationships did we establish? How much money did our donors give us and what did we spend it on? And what are we planning next?
Aquatic plants of Sulawesi (part 2): Chara sp.
Chara sp. with its red “flowers” is a very unique and attractive plant. But it is even more demanding than Sulawesi shrimps!
Aquatic plants of Sulawesi (part 1): Ottelia mesenterium
The queen of Sulawesi plants with beautifully curled leaves. A large and majestic plant, the dream of many aquarists. Its cultivation has not yet been mastered.
Damiano Ferraioli and his automation of Sulawesi aquarium
Automation and remote monitoring of Sulawesi shrimps? How does it work and how can it be beneficial? Damiano, an Italian aquarist now living in Thailand, shares his experience with us.
All about Sulawesi Keepers on one page
Our website is growing and so are our activities. It is therefore not easy to summarize the essentials about Sulawesi Keepers with a few paragraphs.
Sulawesi Keepers Global Survey – first results
Our Sulawesi Keepers Global Survey was announced exactly one year ago and here we bring you the first results. Who keeps Sulawesi shrimps, snails, crabs and fish? Which species is the most popular?
Poso photos wanted
You can be a part of our visits to schools and create the educational materials with us! We are looking for photos or drawings of fish, shrimps, snails and crabs of Lake Poso.
New partnership for Lake Poso
We have started a collaboration with Institut Mosintuwu to spread knowledge about Lake Poso endemic fauna to schools and local communities.
Conservation breeding in aquariums
Many aquarists support conservation breeding by deliberately selecting endangered species for their aquariums and actively participating in conservation breeding programs. These programs can vary greatly in form. What is expected of you when you join?
Invasive South American armoured sailfin catfish threat native biota in Sulawesi
Two species of Pterygoplichthys already established self-sustaining populations in Indonesia. Their negative impact on native fauna and entire ecosystem is well known. Read more about risks and potential for further spread…
Sulawesi Keepers now speak five languages
Our website is translated into Dutch! Dissemination of information is an important part of our work. Now we can reach more people and make our content more accessible.
Important event marked the beginning of collaboration with the Hasanuddin University
"Exploring Freshwater Biodiversity" webinar was held in collaboration between Sulawesi Keepers and the Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Sulawesi and was attended by more than 100 participants.
Sulawesi shrimps experience: Peter Baert
Looking for some Sulawesi shrimp breeding tips and tricks? Having trouble or just want to read how others are doing it? Peter Baert from Belgium is ready to share his experience.
Endemic freshwater fish of Sulawesi
There are about 70 endemic species of freshwater fish in Sulawesi. Most of them belong to these families: sailfin silversides, ricefish, viviparous halfbeaks, gobies.
New partner: Dähne Verlag
One of our main goals is to connect with other aquarists and inform them about the current state of Sulawesi freshwater habitats.
We were at the AKWB meeting
Sulawesi Keepers presented new findings collected by a recent expedition to Sulawesi lakes. A raffle was held in the evening and the proceeds were donated to support the activities of Sulawesi Keepers. Exactly 1000 EUR!
Back from the trip to Sulawesi 2022
Our first field trip is over. We collected tons of material and met new people with whom we are united by the effort to help save aquatic biotopes and their unique inhabitants. You can find here our first impressions and short summary.
New partner: AKWB
Arbeitskreis Wirbellose in Binnengewässern e.V. (AKWB, Working Group for Invertebrates in Inland Waters) is an association whose goal is to promote the care and breeding of invertebrates in inland waters.
This respected Sulawesi fish expert is helping us now: Andreas Wagnitz
Our team of experts and advisors has grown to include a very well-known aquarist, Sulawesi fish expert Andreas Wagnitz from Germany. Great breeder and photographer, he undertook several expeditions to Indonesia, caught many of his animals in Sulawesi…
Freshwater snails of Sulawesi: a brief overview
Not just Tylomelania – the Sulawesi freshwater snails are much more diverse! Celetaia, Miratesta and other endemic or widespread species…
Starting with Sulawesi at the Ostrava Zoo (4)
Caridina dennerli breeding success! And new species of shrimp (Caridina poso or "White Orchid") in the collection of the Ostrava Zoo. Ostracods alert!
14 Critically Endangered species of Sulawesi shrimps
Caridina dennerli and other popular aquarium shrimps are facing extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. See the 14 most threatened species.
Logemanns: Despite the dangers, we would go to Sulawesi again
Interview with brothers Carsten and Frank Logemann, who travelled to Sulawesi twice and examined the parameters of the water there…
Now you can help shrimp in Indonesia without sending your money
We have sent mineral salts for Sulawesi shrimps to the conservation breeding facility in Indonesia. You can help species conservation by securing the materials for future deliveries.
Starting with Sulawesi at the Ostrava Zoo (3)
First babies of Sulawesi shrimp in our zoo! It didn't take long for Caridina caerulea ("Blue Leg Poso") to breed. Caridina dennerli is berried.
What do we know about Indonesian crustaceans?
Indonesian expert Daisy Wowor estimates that only 10% of crustacean species of this country are known, and shares opinion on their conservation.
Sulawesi Keepers Global Survey
We are launching the Sulawesi Keepers Global Survey to find out what species are currently kept by the aquarists worldwide. Fish, shrimps, snails, crabs…
The pelvic-brooding ricefish Oryzias eversi – hardly known and already lost?
Oryzias eversi is one of the so-called pelvic-brooding ricefish species from Sulawesi, micro-endemic and possibly extinct in the wild.
What is so difficult about keeping Sulawesi shrimps?
Shrimps from the Sulawesi lakes are not suitable for beginners and require considerable experience. Specific chemistry, high temperature, environmental stability…
Sulawesi: Disasters and the Fate of Aquatic Biodiversity
Sulawesi quite often suffers from natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and landslides. These have significant environmental and socio-economic impacts.
Another Sulawesi Keepers reinforcement: Katka
Our team has grown with a new member: Kateřina Schrimpelová has joined us. Katka has professional education and experience closely related to water, as well as a significant aquaristic past :-).
New Partnership: Shoal
Sulawesi Keepers are working with the Shoal programme to prevent species extinction.
Redclaw (Cherax quadricarinatus): invasive crayfish posing risks to native biota in Sulawesi
The invasive crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) threatens the native Sulawesi fauna. There are at least six populations on this island …
Starting with Sulawesi at the Ostrava Zoo (2)
Shrimp and snails are in! It was a quick action and the first Sulawesi invertebrates are already in the aquariums of our breeding facility. We start with Caridina dennerli (this…
Starting with Sulawesi at the Ostrava Zoo (1)
We have been approached by aquarists who would like to start breeding Sulawesi shrimp and snails and request guidance during their first steps. While it is always best to speak…
Sulawesi Calling SOS
Caridina dennerli is officially listed as "Possibly Extinct in the Wild" on the IUCN Red List. I was shocked to read this information and even more so after …
