Orphaned catfish (suction) needs name!

[hjvdijk, posts: 3]

Hi,

I got this fish thru my nephew (too big for his small tank and almost in the toilet) and I would like to know what the species is. Length is 10cm. It attaches itself to the glass/small dots/no tentacles (or antennae?). Anyone knows what species this is?

Regards,

Jan.

[Viktor Jarikov, posts: 2273]

Looks like a chinese algae eater, they are called here. Take it with a huge grain of salt until someone with solid knowledge chimes in.

[Marc van Arc]

Gyrinocheilus aymonieri; in Dutch: Chinese algeneter (no salt needed Viktor)
Not a catfish, but a cyprinid (karperachtige)

[hjvdijk, posts: 3]

That's fast... I think you are right. Thanks very much!

[Mike_Noren, posts: 1395]

I don't think that's Gyrinocheilus, it looks like a Garra to me, although I can't say what species.

[Bijn, posts: 392]

I don't think that's Gyrinocheilus, it looks like a Garra to me, although I can't say what species.

I agree, it looks like a Garra.

[sidguppy, posts: 3827]

it's definitely a Gyrinocheilus though


2 characteristics: the upper picture shows the "zigzag viper stripe*" on the side which no Garra has

and also quite visible in both pictures is the second gill opening in the upper gillslit; this is unique for this genus and it enables the fish to breathe both in and outh through the gills; because it can do so it never looses suction.....

take another peak, gentlemen; not a Garra by a long shot



*the European Viper or Adder (Vipera berus) has exactly the same pattern on the back that Gyrinocheilus has on the side

[Mike_Noren, posts: 1395]

and also quite visible in both pictures is the second gill opening in the upper gillslit; this is unique for this genus and it enables the fish to breathe both in and outh through the gills; because it can do so it never looses suction.....

You're right, I interpreted it as a pigment spot + indentation as in Garra, but I think you're right that there's an opening there, hence Gyrinocheilus.

The entire fish still looks extremely odd to me (body shape and head shape is just wrong, especially if it's just 10 cm), and I wonder if it might be a Gyrinocheilus pennocki?
Hjvdijk, are there any spots in the dorsal fin of the fish?

[racoll, posts: 4473]

Yes, definitely Gyrinocheilus aymonieri.

Don't think it's G. pennocki, as this species should have spotted anal and pelvic fins, and it isn't really seen in the trade. I think the reason it looks odd is because it's a larger one, and you mostly see them in the trade when they are a lot smaller (< 5cm).

[hjvdijk, posts: 3]

There are no spots on the fins Thx for the quick determination. I found a nice home for him at the school of my son. Big algea ridden aquarium!

[racoll, posts: 4473]

Be careful. These are notoriously aggressive, and keeping them with goldfish in a small tank, for example, might end up in dead goldfish.