New species?

74ray · Post by **74ray** » 08 May 2003, 20:58

I just recieved a fish that I was hoping to be an albino heteropnuestes fossilis, but it is different than one in a few ways. The body looks exactly the same, but the face is more round, has 6 whiskers instead of 8, and has a larger mouth and slightly smaller eyes. It is from a cave in burma. I will post a pic after I adapt it. Are there any other fish that it could be or is it a variation of a heteropnuestes fossilis? It is completely white with it's eyes also white/clear.

Post by **Silurus** » 08 May 2003, 21:11

I think your fish is some kind of Pterocryptis (see picture below):

This is fascinating news to me, though. Is it an albino? Can't wait to see the pics...

74ray · Post by **74ray** » 08 May 2003, 22:21

I think you are right. It looks exactly like that but without the color. Thanks for the help, any more info on these guys? It seems to be somewhat aggressive towards the other catfish in my tank. How big do they get?

Post by **Dinyar** » 08 May 2003, 22:23

Where are you located, 74ray, and where did you obtain this fish?

Post by **Silurus** » 08 May 2003, 22:28

Interesting pic.
These things are a nightmare to identify to species, but your fish looks like an albino Pterocryptis, possibly P. torrentis.
They are not aggressive fish, but require strong current and cooler water than the average tropical fish (they are hillstream fish).
Of course, if it really came from a cave, there's a possibility that it's P. buccata, a species for which cave populations (in western Thailand) are known to exist.
Pterocryptis species don't get very big, maxing out at about 20 cm.
Oh, BTW, they are members of the Siluridae, and not clariids like Heteropneustes.

74ray · Post by **74ray** » 08 May 2003, 22:36

Thanks, I guess I need a bit more current in my tank then. Do fossilis mind the current, I have 6 of them in my tank also and a few other fish. Also, should my temp be good at 74-76F? It's at 79 now, I think that's too high for it. I am in CA, and got him from a guy in Los angeles, he imported 2 of them and the other one died.

74ray · Post by **74ray** » 08 May 2003, 22:45

One more question, are they nocturnal and are they blind?

Post by **Silurus** » 08 May 2003, 22:46

The Heteropneustes would not like the current at all, since they come from either very slow-flowing or stagnant habitats.
In answer to your other questions: yes, it's nocturnal, and no I don't think it's blind (I'm assuming it's just an albino fish, and not one from a cave).
Do you have another tank to put the fish into?

74ray · Post by **74ray** » 09 May 2003, 00:02

I don't really have another place for him. It's in a 100g right now and my only other tank is a 20g long that has breeding fish that would kill it. If it's from a cave, do you think there might not be as much current needed?

Post by **Silurus** » 09 May 2003, 00:05

Possibly.
I think they can get by without a strong current. Just make sure the water is cool and well-aerated.

74ray · Post by **74ray** » 09 May 2003, 00:39

Well, it just got almost swallowed by a bigger fish in my tank, I don't think it's going to make it.

I'm not sure how to medicate this guy, I guess salt. It is by itself in a critter carrier in my 20 right now, any suggestions. It still acts fine, but has severe wounds.

Post by **Silurus** » 09 May 2003, 00:41

Salt is a bad idea. These are hillstream fishes, which are generally very sensitive to salt. Use an antibiotic instead.

74ray · Post by **74ray** » 09 May 2003, 02:11

I used nitrofurazone to treat it. Will that be okay for it?

Post by **Silurus** » 09 May 2003, 02:37

Nitrofurazone should be fine. I'm curious. What was the tankmate that attacked it?

74ray · Post by **74ray** » 09 May 2003, 02:56

You don't want to know

. I knew it was a mistake to put it in with my 12" monsters, but my mom didn't want me to take out the other guys cause they are her favorite. They also were living with the fossilis and 2 angelicus, most smaller than this guy, so I thought it would stand a chance in there. It looks like it might pull through, if so what should I feed it?

74ray · Post by **74ray** » 09 May 2003, 03:07

Here's a pic of the smaller of the 2 that attacked this guy.

Post by **Silurus** » 09 May 2003, 03:58

I'm surprised that the other fish have not become snacks to date. I'd get another tank if I were you. Those things are terrors and it's only a matter of time before the other fish suffer the same fate.

74ray · Post by **74ray** » 09 May 2003, 04:35

They have actually been really good about not eating tankmates. They have been living with severums, angelicus, and stinging catfish for months now with no aggression towards them at all. They will be moving into a 200g when they get a little bigger, but I'm growing them out a little more in this. I decided to move out the 20g long inhabitants so this fish can have the tank to itself.

74ray · Post by **74ray** » 10 May 2003, 04:12

The catfish has got a lot of fungus growing on it's back right now. Is there a better medication that will get rid of it?

Zack · Post by **Zack** » 10 May 2003, 04:43

im curious, i want to know.

Post by **Silurus** » 10 May 2003, 09:11

I suggest you try methylene blue instead.