65 Species of Native Creatures Found in Hongcheon Stream Gathered in a Mobile Aquarium

According to a video released on the YouTube channel 'Jeongbreu' on September 11, 2026, the process of observing various native creatures in a stream in Hongcheon using recycled PET bottle traps and dip nets, and gathering them into a mobile aquarium, was captured. In this video, singer Kim Kyung-rok participated as a special guest, exploring the ecosystem by collecting native fish species in nature.

Hongcheon's aquatic creatures scooped up with PET bottle traps and dip nets

The participants began their collection activities wearing life jackets for safety on the day after it rained. Having prepared traps made from recycled PET bottles, dip nets, and fish bags, they first set up a mobile tank with a natural background using the gravel and stones of the stream. During the collection process, they used dip nets to sweep the bottom to find various species.

A diverse range of fish species was observed on site. Along with loach presumed to be the Korean bitterling, stone moroko, dark chub, and Korean perch appeared. In particular, the male dark chub showed brilliant characteristics, and the ecological trait of the Korean perch, which can grow up to 18–20 cm, was mentioned. Additionally, loach species presumed to be the Korean loach, the carnivorous fish Dongsari, and the aquatic insect water scorpion, which is called the 'desert in the water,' were collected. Besides these, various living things such as rose bitterling, mudfish, marsh snails, Korean loach, and a young snake presumed to be a rat snake or a water snake were observed.

The link in the ecosystem, the relationship between shellfish and bitterlings

The video continued with explanations regarding the ecological roles and relationships of the collected organisms. Freshwater clams, presumed to be corbicula or marsh clams, play a role in consuming organic matter in the water and helping the ground breathe. In particular, bitterling species have a unique spawning habit of laying eggs in the respiratory tubes or spawning tubes of these shellfish, showing a close ecological link between the clams and the fish.

Furthermore, it was confirmed that the collected loach species are different from the loach and inhabit various areas in Korea. Among the collected organisms, species that harmonize with the surrounding environment, such as the rose bitterling and stone moroko, which possess protective or flower-like coloration, added to the wonders of nature. In particular, the stone moroko showed elegant characteristics with stripes on its body and coloration on its caudal and dorsal fins.

A mobile aquarium where 65 species of creatures gathered

When the collected organisms were gathered in the mobile tank, the ecosystem of the Hongcheon stream was revealed at a glance. The tank contained large-sized Dongsari, dark chub, as well as loach, rose bitterling, stone moroko, and marsh snails. In particular, the water scorpion, an aquatic insect of the family Gerridae, showed its aspect as a predator that uses its front legs to catch small medaka or shiners. A total of 65 species of creatures were contained in the tank, representing rich ecological diversity.

The final part of the video shows the process of checking the recycled PET bottle traps that had been set up. The video concluded by showing that a large number of rose bitterlings were caught inside the traps, demonstrating that the prepared equipment effectively captured the creatures of the stream.