Catfish ID

[TCW]

This catfish was included in a large African shipment of Giraffe Nosed Catfish. The guys at the store had no idea what it was. It looks to me like maybe a Bagrus bajad? It was around 3" when I picked it up about a year ago. It is now around 10". Very territorial. Can anyone ID this fish for me? Thanks in advance!

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

It reminds me of Brachyplatistoma vaillantii but there are several very different fish that look close (Propimelodus, Duopalatinus, Exallodontus, Iheringichthys, or Pimelodus albicans). This has been described in several threads.

In any case this is a SA catfish, not African. Strange that it made it into the g-cat shipment.

 

[Milingu]

It reminds me of Brachyplatistoma vaillantii but there are several very different fish that look close (Propimelodus, Duopalatinus, Exallodontus, Iheringichthys, or Pimelodus albicans). This has been described in several threads.

In any case this is a SA catfish, not African. Strange that it made it into the g-cat shipment.

Could you please explain why you are so sure that it is an American species and not an African?
My first impression was actually Bagrus sp. and I'd like to understand where I went wrong.

 

[latapy10]

Could you please explain why you are so sure that it is an American species and not an African?
My first impression was actually Bagrus sp. and I'd like to understand where I went wrong.

your right ,this species is from africa,it could be bagrus docmac....or another bagrus sp.

 

[blackbullhead]

This is definitely a pimelodid - Bagrid catfishes have a pair of nasal barbels, which this fish lacks. Bagrus in particular has a huge, smoothly rounded adipose fin.
I would agree with thebiggerthebetter that this is Brachyplatystoma vaillanti.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

If you look at the photos of the Bagrus spp, you will see a plethora of differences, the skull and jaw shape, as Blackbullhead says the adipose shape is vastly different, etc. https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/genus.php?genus_id=132#373

And of course the first thing one looks at when distinguishing Bagridae from Pimelodidae is the presence or absence of nasal barbels, which this fish lacks, not great photos but I don't see them at all.

In any case, here is our vaillantii at 12" and one from Primo Aquatics at 17" (one thing I expected to see are extensions on the tail which this fish lacks but they could be bitten off or some such):

- see the triangle adipose for one
- and yes, our vaillantii is highly assertive too, was in a 240, and even in a 4500 gal, similar to your saying yours is very territorial
- our vaillantii thread https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...oma-vaillantii-catfish-12-in-4500-gal.683785/

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Compare to Bagrus bajad, B. docmac, B. meridionalis:

 

[TCW]

I was told it came directly from Africa, that is why I believe it to be a type of Bagrus. I did not think South America was in the equation. I will get some more photos of him. His dorsal fins do not match any of the Brachyplastystoma species I have seen. This is awesome, I appreciate everyone's input!

 

[Milingu]

This is definitely a pimelodid - Bagrid catfishes have a pair of nasal barbels, which this fish lacks. Bagrus in particular has a huge, smoothly rounded adipose fin.
I would agree with thebiggerthebetter that this is Brachyplatystoma vaillanti.

If you look at the photos of the Bagrus spp, you will see a plethora of differences, the skull and jaw shape, as Blackbullhead says the adipose shape is vastly different, etc. https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/genus.php?genus_id=132#373

And of course the first thing one looks at when distinguishing Bagridae from Pimelodidae is the presence or absence of nasal barbels, which this fish lacks, not great photos but I don't see them at all.

In any case, here is our vaillantii at 12" and one from Primo Aquatics at 17" (one thing I expected to see are extensions on the tail which this fish lacks but they could be bitten off or some such):

- see the triangle adipose for one
- and yes, our vaillantii is highly assertive too, was in a 240, and even in a 4500 gal, similar to your saying yours is very territorial
- our vaillantii thread https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...oma-vaillantii-catfish-12-in-4500-gal.683785/

Thanks for the explanation. I get the point with the barbels. I should have checked that.

 

[Fishman Dave]

Would agree with the id of brachyplatystoma vaillantii, out of the others it could be only pim albicans comes close but mouth is too wide and head shape is incorrect.
certainly a pim and not a bagrid.