So recently I have been looking through many videos, pictures from importers I know, and biologists for the difference between Silurus m, and Silurus A. So after really looking at my old large specimen vs others, I have noticed many differences.
Starting off with head width. If we look at mine, we see the head; Yes, it is relatively wide but compared to some others such as Mitch's old one, we see that one in my opinion looked much more like a miniature glanis. Almost like it had a compressed body as well.
Now I believe what I had was a Meridionalis due to body length, marbling, and eye placement. But now this proposes the question when Mitch said the singular specimen, he bought was different then his old one, were we looking at two different species or maybe sub species. *****(also small specimens from last year that had 6 barbels, not 4)***** Silurus are such a hardy fish, I have *heard* they have found there are S. Glanis in Spain that are genetically different than those in say Eastern Europe. The Yangtze which Meridionalis calls home is vast. It is the third longest river in the world and its tributaries are vast. So there definitely is possibility that there is a differing sub specie but let's not head to conclusions just yet. Another point on this topic is common mislabeling. Even my favorite person to source rare fish from, Wes Wong, changes the label of the scientific name when selling them. Check out his newest list and you will see
The next point I would like to make is that there seems to be a large difference when it comes to the depression from the back area where we see a large amount of fat/muscle stored in these species down towards the head. If you take a look at Viktors Chinese Wels, you will see that. This evidence is not even what I would consider evidence. It may do to the fact his was larger than mine allowing for more development for the species. True Wels catfish at a foot or two vs three feet OBVIOUSLY look very different. Maybe this is all very out there, I know... but iI still am having trouble believing we are getting true Meridionalis.
I have just ordered two "meridionalis" and have pictures from Rod when I texted him. Here they are. These fish look awfully similar to mine when it was young. Very nice protruding jaw with those nice teeth poking out.
More on this to come. Just wanted to get input from you guys. I am most likely 90% wrong but I don't know.
