help with identification of a catfish in Sri Lanka

[Ilyas]

Help me to identify catfish.
I caught him in Sri Lanka in Maravilla. From the shore. The size is not more than 30 cm.
The locals don't know a more accurate name.






P.s.: Your help, as I can't find the answer.
If you need photos larger size and quality can provide! Thank you!
P.s.s: I guess this is what Arius maculatus but I'm not sure...

[Viktor Jarikov]

Привет, земляк!

Welcome to the Planet!

I'd agree with the Arius maculatus ID - http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/spe ... ies_id=986 - but I don't know marine catfish well. I'd wait for an expert to chime in.

What I usually catch in the Gulf of Mexico are these two kinds - http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... ilit=bagre - hardhead and gafftopsail.

[Ilyas]

hardhead catfish, I think not as + he does not live in these waters, according to the list of dwelling. And gafftopsail not suitable in appearance. Including the fins.

Waiting for the opinion of professionals

[Silurus]

This has some of the hallmarks of

Plicofollis dussumieri

.

[Ilyas]

Looking at Plicofollis dussumieri came to the conclusion that this specimen is slightly smaller and has a different anal fin, just a different head size and different coloration of the fins.

To me, it seems that this fish Arius maculatus closer if you believe the pictures from the Internet.

But I'm still waiting for options, and preferably with an explanation...
Already dizzy from reading the material and attempts to identify. It became a matter of principle.

[Richard B]

I'd be astonished if Silurus was wrong

[Silurus]

The head shape suggests that this is a species of Plicofollis, not an Arius.

Plicofollis nella

is another candidate, if not P. dussumieri.

[Ilyas]

Hello everyone.
Most likely Silurus rights.
This fish is similar to Plicofollis dussumieri. But I'm still in doubt.

But I have another question? Can it be Plicofollis tenuispinis, because outwardly, they look like...

And Plicofollis nella here it can be Sri Lanka?? Since this is not her area? If you believe the database, it lives closer to Australia and Malaysia, as she was able to swim to Sri Lanka if it's so tiny?

[Silurus]

The type locality of P. nella is in eastern India. That's not too far away from Sri Lanka.

[Ilyas]

What can you say about Plicofollis tenuispinis? Are there any similarities? Or is it a different kind of fish?

[Silurus]

All I can say is that ariids are difficult to identify to the species level without looking at the palatal teeth.

[Ilyas]

Here I thought, as I did not know such nuances. I had to take a picture while cooking dinner...
But as I understand it, is someone 100% of Plicofollis???

[Silurus]

I'm pretty certain it's a Plicofollis. It's pretty difficult to get at the palatal teeth anyway. To see them fully, one usually needs to make a fairly deep cut into the corners of the mouth in order to peel back the lower lip enough to be able to see them.

[Ilyas]

Thank You very much for your help!
Next time, if the i catching will fish on the hook I know where to go for help and on what first of all to pay attention this fishes!

[Viktor Jarikov]

I am glad you got such great help, Ilyas.

You could not ask for a greater expert to help you ;) Silurus is Dr. Heok Hee Ng, one of the leading ichthyologists on the planet (Earth and naturally Planet Catfish), in particular specializing in taxonomy of Asian catfishes.

[Ilyas]

I am very pleased to meet such a remarkable man.

Well, and with other members of this forum