Scleromystax sp. C113 v CW038

[CoryWally]

You may have noticed the new species assigned as CW038, as distinct from the Scleromystax species C113.

There have been two populations of very similar Scleromystax species, doing the rounds in the North of England in the past three years.

Three shipments arrived late in 2006, resulting in groups of fish being purchased and raised. One group appears to be the true Scleromystax C113 and has been bred and distributed more widely by Bolton Aquarium's Paul Dixon.

Fish from the other two groups have been bred and raised by myself, with subsequent F1's bred by other keepers. This fish has now been assigned the new code of CW038. This follows comparisons between adult fish, fry patterns and consideration by those who have kept and bred the respective species, collected fish from the wild and who described the original C113 material.

The main differences to the eye are in the intensity of colouration, patterning of fry and the lack of the distinctive green/gold flash in C113, but present in CW038.

The pictures shown in the Catelog for CW038 are correct, and many of the fish kept in the past as C113 have been CW038. The two remaining pictures for C113 are infact CW038, F1's from my population. I believe the pictures in aqualog for C113 are correct and of course, Bolton Aquarium hold C113, in the opinion of those who are able to make the call.

I'm posting this information to inform those who have purchased youngsters from me in the past and to help keep the two species seperate in the future.

Cheers,
Mark.