Cephalosilurus apurensis... or not?

[cvermeulen]

I got this 'used' fish off someone today... thing is, he bought the fish as a "dwarf marbled catfish". There is another local guy who is a member here I think who has an identical looking fish he calls an apure jelly catfish (Cephalosilurus apurensis). However, the apure catfish tops out at around 12". The one I got is 12" and this other guys is 14-15" apparently. So... what is it?

He eats like an absolute pig, and I don't think he's very old, but he's a solid 12" right now, so he almost can't be an apure. Thoughts?

 

[njackson]

http://www.scotcat.com/articles/article94.htm
http://www.scotcat.com/articles/article104.htm

 

[MartinS]

I'd say the ID is correct (Cephalosilurus apurensis). SL is listed as around 12", so with tail, it could well be in excess or 13-14". Also, the max size could be wrong, and am sure it is not unusual to see fish slightly larger than the listed maximum size. I did think it could be Cephalosilurus fowleri, but the colouration doesn't look right.
HTH
Martin

 

[cvermeulen]

http://www.scotcat.com/articles/article94.htm
http://www.scotcat.com/articles/article104.htm

Perfect, exactly what I needed, thanks. He's a cool fish. Immediately after I put him in my tank he ate a goldfish. I will be feeding him frozen food from now on because (among the obvious feeder related reasons) his ambush on the feeder startled everyone in the room, including my violent 20" TSN who hurt himself on the glass when he was startled.

 

[King-eL]

Mine have slowed down it's growth now.

 

[cvermeulen]

I will need to post more pics of this piggy. About an hour befor efeeding time he emerges and hovers vertical with his mouth about 4" below the waterline, waiting. He will eat more than seems physically possible. He's only about 12-13" long, but probably weighs more than my 22" TSN, and eats not only more enthusiastically, but more in quantity.

On the bright side, having some competition for food in the tank has taught my TSN not to be so snooty about picking up food, and now he snatches it before it hits the bottom.

 

[tropheus]

hi mate , yep that is aqurensis the size listed is compleatly wrong , i have one 19" right now and have heard of 30" not impossable , they are a very underestamated catfish and a true monster , i just love the way you know when he has eaten someone else by the massive bang he makes gulping the fish in , dont think me pollini , veija , claris and gachua thought it was so entertaining though.

even my 18" pleuro snakehead has had his whole tail in its mouth.

cheers col

offending fish with his reluctant tankmate the pleuro

 

[dbcb314]

whoa that catfish is cool