Megalonema platycephalum--hope Fishbase is wrong about diet

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 04 Jul 2007, 15:50

Ever-reliable Fishbase says eats fish scales and catfish spines! Surely this isn't true--does anybody know anything at all about this? I had a bit of trouble getting mine to feed, but it's taking bloodworm and TetraMin now.

Also, Fishbase they grow a foot long and the Cat-eLog says seven inches. Generally I trust PC over Fishbase, but generally I also trust the larger estimate if there's a discrepancy. Opinions are welcome.

Post by **Silurus** » 04 Jul 2007, 22:49

Lepidophagy (scale eating) is usually associated with a suite of anatomical modifications (e.g. the teeth are located externally) not seen in this catfish. The Fishbase report is most likely that of its gut contents, so the fish scale means it ate a fish (and did not digest the scale), and the spine means it ate a smaller catfish (and did not digest the spine).

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 05 Jul 2007, 12:38

Chrysichthys, did you pick those up from MAQ in Wheatley?

I wondered what they were for a while, but thought they were another tankbusting pim/bagrid.

I had no idea they were so small. They have all the appeal of the larger pims, but without the size. Neat fish.

Did you also get the two Synodontis robertsi they have in?

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 05 Jul 2007, 17:43

Silurus wrote:The Fishbase report is most likely that of its gut contents, so the fish scale means it ate a fish (and did not digest the scale), and the spine means it ate a smaller catfish (and did not digest the spine)

I thought it might be something like that. Why couldn't they just say that it eats fish.

Racoll, I only got one to begin with. It's doing well, but I think it misses its companion (it's showing signs of 'lone pictus syndrome,') so I've staked my claim for the other. They might be able to get some more, though. I would like to have a shoal of them.

I think somebody else was after the S. robertsi. (I thought it might be you, in fact). I didn't see them last time I was there.

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 05 Jul 2007, 17:53

Here's an above-water pic of it wanting to be fed:

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 05 Jul 2007, 18:24

Beautiful blue sheen on him. I'm surprised this isn't a more popular fish. I imagine he would love live shrimp or earthworms.

I think somebody else was after the S. robertsi. (I thought it might be you, in fact). I didn't see them last time I was there.

The S. robertsi were there last week I think. They were very small and hidden away.

I already have three, which are sadly suffering from lateral line erosion (this usually affects S. eupterus) at the moment.

I have posted about the problem here if you are interested.

.

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 13 Jul 2007, 14:40

racoll wrote:I imagine he would love live shrimp or earthworms

He's learned to feed from my hand as of yesterday. He eats just about anything, but what he loves is bloodworm.