The BIG Reveal - Chitala lopis

[SourAngelfish]

Still going strong and growing slow as ever. I will say it has definitely put on some weight in the past few months. Diet consists mainly of live nightcrawlers, bloodworms, and frozen shrimp on occasion.

 

[SourAngelfish]

a 10 year old 'lopis' found by a friend at a fish shop in Malaysia. supposedly the owner's personal pet

 

[ILOVESHARKS]

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a 10 year old 'lopis' found by a friend at a fish shop in Malaysia. supposedly the owner's personal pet

wow that's rare they are commonly aten as fish balls, very less hobbyists kept them

 

[SourAngelfish]

Just a teaser for what’s to come

 

[Stone Like Fish]

Odd, sounds like someone needs to go where these were found before it’s too late, if not already

 

[SourAngelfish]

All is going well as of now, I currently have 5 hanging out in a 150 gallon, although it will prove difficult, we are hoping to achieve some spawning action from the 4 from same locality in the coming years. A large tank will definitely be necessary

 

[SourAngelfish]

Chitala lopis has returned, here is one of my specimens. Now to work on the mainland species… relieved to have the mystery solved

 

[SourAngelfish]

here is a photo taken of the current setup as well. This species is somewhat unique for chitala as they appear to be social? They are constantly huddling together and hiding during the day, almost remind me of loaches in how they group together and scuffle on occasion.

I’ve found that Chitala ornata is quite the opposite, often attacking one another once reaching a certain size

 

[wednesday13]

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here is a photo taken of the current setup as well. This species is somewhat unique for chitala as they appear to be social? They are constantly huddling together and hiding during the day, almost remind me of loaches in how they group together and scuffle on occasion.

I’ve found that Chitala ornata is quite the opposite, often attacking one another once reaching a certain size

IME, growing a group out together is the best chance to have them cohab. I started with 5 chitala ornata albino at 4-5” and still have 3 who exhibit the same behavior ur seeing still at 18-20”. I lost 2 to over feeding pellets . Like u im hoping for at least 1 pair in a long shot hope for breeding. There always together tho in a trio schooling 24:7 in open water. I agree oranta usually dont tolerate one another at large sizes. I don’t think many people grow out and keep a group together from the start tho. Wish you the best with this project! Very cool. Im on about 8yrs with my group. Not sure how big they need to be for breeding attempts. 2 of the trio are inseparable.

 

[SourAngelfish]

IME, growing a group out together is the best chance to have them cohab. I started with 5 chitala ornata albino at 4-5” and still have 3 who exhibit the same behavior ur seeing still at 18-20”. I lost 2 to over feeding pellets . Like u im hoping for at least 1 pair in a long shot hope for breeding. There always together tho in a trio schooling 24:7 in open water. I agree oranta usually dont tolerate one another at large sizes. I don’t think many people grow out and keep a group together from the start tho. Wish you the best with this project! Very cool. Im on about 8yrs with my group. Not sure how big they need to be for breeding attempts. 2 of the trio are inseparable.

Awesome, I’d love to see pictures. It appears most chitala reach sexual maturity around 20 inches. Females can be vented by viewing and egg tube similar to cichlids.

my fish currently range from 5-16” and all get along