ID this possible bullhead?

[adixon816]

Bought this as a bullhead from my LFS who couldn't tell me what species it was or if it really is a bullhead. It was the only one on the shipment they said and I liked it. I'm trying to determine tank size and tank mates. Any info is appreciated it is approximately 2" currently.

[Viktor Jarikov]

Welcome to the Planet (seen you on MFK)!

It is Ameiurus serracanthus - see all the photos: http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/spe ... es_id=1089

Albeit e.g., MN_Rebel would tell you it is just a southern version of the brown bullhead: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forum ... t=bullhead

IDK enough to say who is right. Really wish someone clarified it for me. Since I don't know if MN_Rebel is alone or has only a few others who share his view (or great many?) or his credentials, I'd side with the Cat-eLog for now.

[adixon816]

I figured I would get a bit more catfish traffic here. I hope it to be a spotted and it does look like the pictures, only time will tell I guess. Here is another photo from the top I apologize for the quality as I don't have a digital camera.

[Silurus]

This looks more like a brown bullhead to me.

[adixon816]

Mixed opinions it seems I will have to grow him out some first I guess.

[Viktor Jarikov]

That's not what I'd call mixed. Silurus can be wrong but he almost never is. He is Dr. Heok Hee Ng, a high-level ichthyologist and a specialist in catfish taxonomy, Asian catfish in particular.

A lot of what we know and talk about in our forums is the credit of his fruitful work in the field of fish taxonomy.

I am a low level hobbyist. That should tell you all.

So, HH, do you think the photos in the Cat-eLog are wrong then? Does the entry for A. serracanthus need to be revised?

Here is mine, ~4" TL:

[Viktor Jarikov]

...

[Silurus]

I think a lot of the photos in the Cat-eLog of A. serracanthus are of the mottled form of A. nebulosus instead. All of the photos of A. serracanthus (where the identity is verified) I've seen show this species to have distinct pale spots, as in the first photo of the Cat-eLog.

[Birger]

I have read through what information I have and this makes perfect sense now that it is pointed out.

Will post this in the Cat-eLog data issues to be sorted.

Birger

[adixon816]

Thanks for the input everyone sorry that I am not familiar with the members of this board. Is there any way you can explain the characteristics that lead you to Brown bullhead Silurus? It reminds me of spotted, brown, and snail and I can't really tell the differences.Is there any chance it could be a yellow? The store I bought it from only knows that it came in with feeder fish it was lone ranger.

[Viktor Jarikov]

From what I can see and armed with the new HH's teaching, the only pic that looks right is #1. Pics 2-12 are all of the mottled brown bullhead.

Mine came in with feeder ghost shrimp

[Viktor Jarikov]

MN_Rebel says the distinguishing characteristic is a large black spot on the dorsal at the base:

post #13 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forum ... e-ID/page2

Image taken from NANFA:

[Birger]

As far as I know

Ameiurus serracanthus

(spotted bullhead),

Ameiurus brunneus

(snail bullhead) and

Ameiurus platycephalus

(flathead bullhead) all have a large dark spot at the base of the dorsal fin.

Birger

[Viktor Jarikov]

Thanks, Birger. I didn't know. Helpful.

I think MN_Rebel meant distinguishing serracanthus (spotted) from the mottled version of the nebulosus (brown).

[Viktor Jarikov]

Sister threads for cross-referencing:

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=39230&p=327384#p327384

The issue is skillfully resurrected by Narelle on Oct 17 2020: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=49518&p=327383#p327383

[Jools]

And, the issue eventually, sorted out in the catelog now too!

Jools