Trachydoras paraguayensis?

[Viktor Jarikov]

Wesley Wong of Rare Fish kindly sent me these 4 fish, which he called Trachydoras paraguayensis. Neither FishBase nor Planet Catfish have any photos. Could someone, please, confirm or refute the ID? All 4 fish are about 3" TL.

[Viktor Jarikov]

couple more shots front and dorsal

[Silurus]

This could just as well be

Trachydoras nattereri

.

[Richard B]

Super looking fish Viktor

[Viktor Jarikov]

Thanks guys. Would it help distinguish (if need still be) between paraguayensis and nattereri if I asked Wesley where the fish were collected?

[Jools]

Yes, it might.

Jools

[Viktor Jarikov]

Will ask when get a chance.

Also I wanted to mention that the fish do not look as reddish / brownish in their tank as above. I have not gotten the lights up yet so the tank is dim but FWIW they look less distinctive, muddy brownish, dark greyish kind. Likely what's seen above are the prettier stressed colors.

[Viktor Jarikov]

All Wes told is that "The fish come from Argentina/Paraguay, so the export is limited, probably the reason why you don't see them often."

[Viktor Jarikov]

Was this of any help in the ID?

[Viktor Jarikov]

Jools and all, does the collection info Wesley Wong provided help?

Should we pen it down as nattereri per Silurus and close this file for now?

Here is an updated video of two survivors 16 months later with more natural coloration, not so red.



MFK sister thread: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/foru ... st-7628942

[Viktor Jarikov]

Bump for attention of experts.

[Viktor Jarikov]

I will call them nattereri per Silurus then for my humble intents and purposes.

[kruseman]

Is this their tank?

[Viktor Jarikov]

If you mean the video, yes. 240 gal, 8'x2'x2'.

[kruseman]

Okay.
I can imagine these fish would like some substrate on the bottom like sand or gravel.

[Viktor Jarikov]

Most fish would and these too but I physically cannot do it. I hope they adapt adequately.

[Viktor Jarikov]

Update on two surviving specimen, June 14, 2017. Second one died of an unknown reason - stopped feeding or fed poorly for many months, got thin, then perished.

Can spot them in this video: