Shop Visit : Maidenhead Guildford

[Martin S]

I popped over to MatsP's house this morning, well, early PM, to drop off three Tatia sp(2), and once settled in, Mats took me to Maidenhead as it was sort of on my way home. Was very surprised at the stock - they had lots of gobies (not something you see very often), loaches and a few genuine looking synos - definitely some decent sized

Synodontis alberti

, some small

Synodontis ornatipinnis

, as some

Synodontis flavitaeniata

. They also had some unusual little fish labelled as 'small rusty pseudolaguvia' - no idea which ones looking at the catelog, but if I wasn't so anal about only keeping fish from the same continent, I would have taken a few. We found a Liosomadoras morrowi in one of the sump tanks, and Mats was umming and ahhing about some spotted plecs - am sure he'll get them eventually, but this time managed to hold back One thing also very interesting were four large (6"+) listed as woodcats - possibly

Trachelyopterus galeatus

, and Jool's favourite

Bagrichthys macracanthus

. They also had one of what looked like

Gagata cenia

.
Was a worthwhile visit and a big thanks to Mats for helping with the Tatia transfer, and for the micro PC afternoon out!
Martin

[Richard B]

Nice one Martin

(your 2nd two syno links don't work due i think to spelling errors)

[Richard B]

Hmmm - i wonder what the 'small rusty pseudolaguvia' were??? not

Caelatoglanis zonatus

by any chance?

[Birger]

Liosomadoras morrowi

Did one of you pick up this guy??

Birger

[Martin S]

Hmmm - i wonder what the 'small rusty pseudolaguvia' were??? not

Caelatoglanis zonatus

by any chance?

No, don't think so - it looked much like Hara with the wide pectorals, but slimmer, though still small - probably max 8-10mm.

Liosomadoras morrowi

Did one of you pick up this guy??

Birger

No - as nice as it was, I prefer the real thing. If I had the tank space it may have been a different story though...

(your 2nd two syno links don't work due i think to spelling errors)

Now sorted - sorry
Martin

[grokefish]

I have morrowi. They are fab. Once they have settled in they turn a deep chocolate brown picked out with a pattern of tiny white spots that really stand out.
I also have a real jag, used to have 5. They are really nicely patterned only until they get bigger and then they turn a really boring mix of browns. Although the one I have left(Dave are you ever gonna pick the last one up?) still has the colours of a juvi.

Matt

[Birger]

I have morrowi. They are fab. Once they have settled in they turn a deep chocolate brown picked out with a pattern of tiny white spots that really stand out.

I do not have any yet (I would like to have both) but another point I like about them is their smaller final size...would most likely be easier to work with if breeding was the goal.(not saying they breed the exact same as L.oncinus but you never know)

Birger

[MatsP]

No, neither of us got the L. morrowi - I have several tanks, but none that would make a suitable home for this fish - it grows too large for my smaller tanks, and all three/four of my larger tanks that are potentially suitable have other fish in them already that wouldn't make good companions (or whose companions it would have for dinner).

--
Mats

[grokefish]

I think the chances are it will breed the same as oncincus.
They are far too similar, not like for instance agamyxis and megladoras.
Mine have been seen mating a few times but nothing comes of the end result.
Either the young or eggs get eaten or the fishes are still too young.

Matt

[The.Dark.One]

I picked up two nice young L. morrowi last weekend. I think they are brilliant fish and I prefer them to oncinus. Obviously they arent as strikingly patterned but they get so thick set and chunky when they are older.

[Martin S]

I picked up two nice young L. morrowi last weekend. I think they are brilliant fish and I prefer them to oncinus. Obviously they arent as strikingly patterned but they get so thick set and chunky when they are older.

When you say young - what sort of size? Also be interested to know where you go yours from? Neither species seem commonly available these days, and it took me a long time to find small oncinus as didn't want to start with a 6"+ fish. My LFS ordered some for me but when they arrived they were at least 6" and heavily set (although easily sexable), so they are now living together in a display tank at my LFS. This way I get to see them regularly without needing the tank space to keep them
I finally managed to pick up my L.oncinus (thanks to another PC user) from an order of three fish via on an-line retailer and they were ranging from just over 1" to 3" - sadly the smallest one didn't survive, so had the middle one which was no bigger than 2". I get to see it regularly when feeding frozen foods, especially mysis, though does not show much interest in bloodworm pellets. I could definitely be tempted with small L.morrowi if they were available, but any specimens I have found so far are all adult fish which the shops haven't been able to sell and are living in sumps or backs of tanks never seen by most customers.
Martin

[Richard B]

I seem to see a lot of Morrowi around at the moment - £20 each 3"SL @ Wholesale tropicals (about 8 in the tank). MA Wheately had them too plus a couple of other places.

Plus the Doras at Wholesale have the dark caudal stripes Martin.

[Martin S]

Oooh - thanks Richard
This does now mean I have to try and find the time to get there - what are the chances of making it a mother's day treat for the wife...well, I'd sday none is being over generous
Looking forward to the trip report though...
Martin

[The.Dark.One]

When you say young - what sort of size? Also be interested to know where you go yours from?

They are about 7cm Total Length. There were about 4 left, they were £12.50 each. In nice nick too because normally they are a mess. Got them from BAS so you should call there on your way to the Convention this weekend. I will see you at the convention.

Some of the Doras punctatus were sold at the CSG auction last Sunday. Small but in very nice nick. They were sold as O. stuebelli but were D. punctatus.

[MatsP]

I don't think Martin is coming to the convention. I am, and stopping at BAS tomorrow around 12.30. Martin, would you want me to try to get a few?

--
Mats

[Martin S]

When you say young - what sort of size? Also be interested to know where you go yours from?

They are about 7cm Total Length. There were about 4 left, they were £12.50 each. In nice nick too because normally they are a mess.

Thanks.

Got them from BAS so you should call there on your way to the Convention this weekend. I will see you at the convention.

Sadly you won't see me as am not going
Really wish I had booked to go now...

[Martin S]

I don't think Martin is coming to the convention. I am, and stopping at BAS tomorrow around 12.30. Martin, would you want me to try to get a few?

--
Mats

I'd love you to Mats but would not want to limit/deny you any purchases you may make, and not sure when I could get over to you to collect them. I can see I'm going to regret asking now!
Thanks though - much appreciated.
Martin

[MatsP]

Well, if I stick them in the tank vacated by the Tatia sp(2), I'd expect that won't change much of my existing spaces.

--
Mats

[Martin S]

PM'd you.