Some of my guys from 55 and 120 gal

[Richard B]

Richard, do you think the ocellifer and soloni are genuine?

Soloni -yes

The spotted "ocellifer" of which there seem several examples, no they mostly seem hybrids but i need to check all the pics & the work PC is being really slow at present

[Richard B]

I think you are politely conveying a mild concern

- not really - i know there are multiple tanks & you recognise the needs of the fishes which is key - plus you cater for them!

'Immense' as in 'big'

My personal preference is to keep species in groups where possible as the best & typical behaviours are seen but each to their own. Some people like to keep for example one of each pleco they find - this is ok in itself as long as the fish needs are met & sometimes this becomes an issue when you keep veggie eaters with meat eaters or species that need high & low temps together. If these problems are known about & catered for then all is well

[Viktor Jarikov]

Thanx, Richard.

Yeah, there are two hybrids resembling an ocellifer but the one I hope is genuine is in the two repeated pics below (behind one of the ocellifer look-alikes in the 2nd pic):

[Viktor Jarikov]

Some people like to keep for example one of each pl*co they find - this is ok in itself as long as the fish needs are met & sometimes this becomes an issue when you keep veggie eaters with meat eaters or species that need high & low temps together. If these problems are known about & catered for then all is well

I try my best, but like in the case with the giraffe cats that you pointed out, I cannot make it perfect for all fish at all times. Plus my knowledge is still in infancy. Temperature and food are the two biggest ones to take into account, I assume.

[Birger]

Yeah, there are two hybrids resembling an ocellifer but the one I hope is genuine is in the two repeated pics below (behind one of the ocellifer look-alikes in the 2nd pic):

I agree with Richard on the S.soloni and the ocelifer type hybrids...can you get a better shot of the one in question??

[Viktor Jarikov]

Thanks, Birger. I'll try again. He is a hider and rarely comes out in the open during feeding, preferring to feed in the back or around the furniture.

[bigamefish]

Sorry I dug up this old post! But I just got a S. Ocellifer and I absolutely adore him ! And how do I know if he's genuine? I know he's farm raised and has a mild fin defourmation! I'll upload a video if you want and some pics!

[Viktor Jarikov]

No problem at all - it is always good to know what people read. The answer, I think, is a new thread in the "What's my catfish?" forum with good pics and a video is a great plus. With good media (pics and vid), I am sure ID will quickly and hopefully firmly established.