A joint Japanese-Chinese research team has found three different fish species in a Tibetan lake dubbed "the lake in the sky" because it is located 5,000 meters above sea level.
The research, conducted by scientists from Tokai University and the Chinese Academy of Science, is the first scientific study of fish living in a high-altitude environment.
The scientists believe one of the three types of fish discovered at Lake Puma Yumu is from a species called nude fish, similar to a kind of loach found in China.
The nude fish found were brown, with six feelers and no scales. A number of fish of this type, including one measuring about 20 centimeters, were found beneath small stones near a riverbank.
The two other types of fish found were discovered in the lake and a river flowing from it. Despite their similarity to trout, the researchers believe the two are from different fish species.
The research team found a 27 centimeter fish from one of the two species in the lake, together with several smaller fish, believed to be younger fish of the same kind.
Different types of fish were discovered in the river that flows from the lake. The largest fish the researchers caught from the river was 21 centimeters in length.
The environment surrounding the lake is bleak and deserted, with no trees. The research team were curious as to how the fish, up to 20 centimeters in size, could flourish in the high-altitude environment.
The researchers said it was possible that snow water from mountains in the area brought nutrients for the fish.
'Lake In The Sky' Yields Mystery Catch
RECOVERED OLD FILE POSTED AUG 07.06
The Daily Yomiyuri / Japan | Masaru Fujita - April 14 2001
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