Which Bunocephalus

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 08 Oct 2007, 11:48

Has anyone got an idea which species could be the following:
Bunocephalus rubber
Bunocephalus shark
Both originate from Peru.
There is also a Bunocephalus white; I take it this is P. dolichurus.

Thoughts, suggestions etc. welcome

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 08 Oct 2007, 15:24

Your thinking is logical: white=ghost, but maybe yellowish? Nothing like "Banjo Surprise" is there? Does it say how many are being imported?
Amanda

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 08 Oct 2007, 18:21

Hi Amanda,
Of course there's a Bamjo sp too.
No prices, no amounts per box: the LFS-owner didn't want me to see that - for obvious reasons. He has to earn a living, you know.
One thing that is known is the place of origin.
The rubber fish and the sp. are from Rio Itaya, the shark is from Rio Marañon.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 08 Oct 2007, 21:33

Only two species of Bunocephalus in Upper Amazon according to the Cat-eLog. Of course, there's probably more in reality, just that we haven't got all the species in the Cat-eLog (and not particularly accurate data either, I suppose):
Cat-eLog upper amazon

Fishbase lists Bunocephalus knerii as "Western Amazon". Occurance data lists Colombia as one of the locations, but not Peru as far as I can see.

Xyliphius melanopterus is another fish from upper Amazon, again according to fishbase.

There is of course also the possibility that these are undescribed species.

--
Mats

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 11 Oct 2007, 12:39

I agree, Mats. Also, anytime I ask someone at a convention the following question: "Who is studying Banjos these days?" It's followed with a slight laugh and then,"Do you have them? Well, then, I don't care that you've never been to South America, I don't care that you don't have a phD, you're studying them! Please keep careful notes." I can't wait to see photos of them, Marc.

Amanda

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 11 Oct 2007, 15:20

bronzefry wrote:I can't wait to see photos of them, Marc.

Well, getting some depends on several things:
- minimum number of fishes in a box
- price
- the large amount of Auchenipterid species on offer

But if all goes well I'll squeeze in one or two species.

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 11 Oct 2007, 15:52

Good luck, Marc!
Amanda

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 11 Oct 2007, 18:10

Hi Amanda,
Just happened to get a recent list.
The banjo shark and banjo sp. are 40 specimen per box, which might indicate they are a larger species.
The rubber banjos for instance must share one box with 100 specimen.
Anyway, first thing is getting some here. If that has worked out, I'll share some pictures, no doubt.