Wood cat ID

Post by **Dinyar** » 03 Feb 2003, 23:22

What's this?

Trachelyopterus sp. or Parauchenipterus sp. (galeatus?)?

Thanks,
Dinyar

Post by **Silurus** » 03 Feb 2003, 23:32

It's Trachelyopterus (I think Parauchenipterus has a bigger head). Still owe you a specific id for this.

Post by **Dinyar** » 04 Feb 2003, 01:16

Thanks, Heok Hee.

It doesn't come across clearly in the photo, but the fish has an incredible speckled gold and brown coloration, as if had been sprinkled with gold dust.

The other unusual thing I notice about this fish is that it is quite active. Throw a pinch of FD bloodworm into the tank and it goes charging all over the place. A pleasant change from alll the other Auchenepterids I've kept, which mostly wedged themselves into a tight corner and never budged.

Dinyar

Post by **Silurus** » 04 Feb 2003, 01:23

My experience with auchenipterids is that they're not as reclusive as often stated. I've kept Tatia and Liosomadoras which all come charging out at feeding time. Auchenipterichthys is a little more shy, but with the right inducements, can be made to come out of hiding.

Post by **Silurus** » 04 Feb 2003, 16:35

Just checked up on the current literature, and it looks like Parauchenipterus is now considered a junior synonym of Trachelyopterus. Trachelyopterus was originally distinguished by the lack of an adipose fin, but this is apparently a character that only works at the species level.
Still no closer to a specific id, though I can rule out T. galeatus (has a larger headl) and T. coriaceus (lacks an adipose fin).