Bagarius Yarrelli - Availabilty?

[Redtailrob]

Hello all.

Anyone know of the availabilty of these in the UK?
Managed to procure 2 about 3 years ago but haven't seen them anywhere before or since.
Interested in procuring ore or 2 more as they are fascinating fish.

[Richard B]

They appear every so often - (IME)and are on wholesale lists on occasion (if you get to see them).

I'll keep an eye open

[Viktor Jarikov]

for the first time ever, I just got offered these fish by one of my LFSs (Rochester NY) just at $20 each, probably 4-5"

is the price good?

wonder if "tis the season"

[Redtailrob]

Big Thanks Richard.

Victor, I paid £20-£30 approx for mine @ 2.5" so would say that yes that's an excellent price

[Richard B]

Big Thanks Richard.

Anytime buddy

Victor, I paid £20-£30 approx for mine @ 2.5" so would say that yes that's an excellent price

Definately!

[Stackdeck]

At small sizes , its very hard to tell the exact spp. There was a recent shipment of 2-3" bagarius here going for about SGD $15each. I believe Silurus identified them as the undescribed spp. usually reffered to as B.bagarius.

[racoll]

Have you tried ringing Wildwoods?

They usually seem to have them there.

[Redtailrob]

Hi Racoll.

Thanks for your suggestion/reply.
My previous two came from Wildwoods around 2 years ago (1st & last shipment)and they are always one of my 1st points of contact when it comes to the availability of rare catfish.
Unfortunately they are unable to source any at this time & unclear if/when they will be getting any more so thought Id reach out to a wider audience.

[Viktor Jarikov]

Rob, given what Stackdeck said, how did you know your first two were truly yarrelli?

All, how can one make sure they are getting yarelli and not some other Bagarius?

[Redtailrob]

Hi there Viktor.

Well to begin with I trust the retail outlet (wildwoods), as the guy I deal with there is a real catfish & fish nut in general.
Really knows he's stuff & is very well respected within the trade.
Also i think once they get to the larger sizes they are quite easy to identify in comparison to other species of the same genre.
You could never mistake a Suchus for a Yarelli for example.

I'd be happy with any Bagarius to be honest

[MatsP]

I saw a Bagarius today with Richard B. Actually, it was only a part of one, and it was in the frozen section of an asian supermarket.

--
Mats

[Viktor Jarikov]

I am sure Rob meant live... (BTW http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... +100+years)

[MatsP]

Yes, I'm well aware of what Rob is looking for. I just thought it was fun to mention it...

--
Mats

[Stackdeck]

Never seen it here(for food) , wonder what those yellow steaks taste like...

[Redtailrob]

Very Funny! Mats
I love my fishes but did laugh out loud at that!
Probably more chance of finding a frozen one than a live one!
I'll just take extra special care of the one i have

[Richard B]

It was a big cross section taken about the shoulder section that we saw - must've been a whopper!

Also whole frozen sperata/bagrus type, well a large bagrid-type thing 3 foot or thereabouts and plenty of 'em - hard to ID through the plastic bag and being frozen!

[Redtailrob]

The Decimation of wild stocks continues
But then are we as hobbyists any better ????

[Viktor Jarikov]

Ok, Rob, you've said that one too many times, so let me try defend our hobby.
Here is a thought:

(1)

a man can eat a fish a week => 52 weeks x 65 years = 3,380 dead fish
a man can eat a fish a day => 365 days x 65 years = 23,725 dead fish

a hobbyist may kill a-few-dozen-to-a-few-hundred by trying to keep them over 65 years, and most of those, I'd imagine, in the first years of the hobby

(2)

eye feast goes on for a long time while the tummy is growling in 4 hours.

(3)

aesthetic experience, often likened to spiritual experience, stands far above physical primitive needs but it can be far more sustainable - if you are lucky, you buy one fish and enjoy it 10-50 years or you buy one fish and enjoy your dinner

Fair enough?

[Redtailrob]

Hi Viktor /all

Totally Fair Viktor & you make some very valid & correct points.
Was just covering myself in case of anyone raising the argument of keeping fish v eating fish!
Dont want this post to get away from the Topic headline.