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Ok, so this little bugger is giving me a bit of a headache. Was sold to me as Bagarius suchus, and my initial response was that it was. But upon further inspection it is making me have second thoughts. Someone has suggested that it might be a variant of Bagarius bagarius, while still another person suggested it might be a new species altogether. Really, I just wanna know what I have. Thanks in advance

I think it is

not quite sure though!

wait for HH to come around, he's the man when it comes to Asian (and most other) catfishes.

AFAIK these bagarius can change their color a LOT, like a flounder, they're likely to adapt their pattern depending on the substrate, the light etc.

I definitely wouldn't try to determinate one by color only.

Anyone able to confirm a positive ID?

All I can say is that it is not . I am not sure if this is or the Indochinese Bagarius that is often identified as . I suspect that this is the former.

very handsome fish, but wow the Bagarius yarrelli shows to get to be 60"'s!! wow

Thats great guys! Thanks! Now I know its not a Bagarius suchus, but have absolutely NO idea what it is otherwise. *sigh*

but have absolutely NO idea what it is otherwise. *sigh*

I would take HH's word for it when he wrote

All I can say is that it is not Bagarius suchus. I am not sure if this is Bagarius yarrelli or the Indochinese Bagarius that is often identified as Bagarius bagarius. I suspect that this is the former.

that's getting close to knowing is it not?

Well I have someone telling me that they aren't even Bagarius. Frustrating this fish is turning out to be. I really hope its not yarelli though. OY!

Here are some pictures I took last night. Perhaps they will help to confirm one species or the other?

Well I have someone telling me that they aren't even Bagarius.

They are wrong. It is clearly a species.

Here are some pictures I took last night. Perhaps they will help to confirm one species or the other?

More pictures are always helpful, but if Silurus cannot currently ID it (without examining it personally), then I would doubt there is anyone else capable, although he didn't say what information he would need to make an ID.

If you're not aware of his resume, Heok Hee (Silurus) is a very prolific ichthyologist/taxonomist. A quick search on Catalog of Fishes produces 137 records connected with "H. and H. and Ng". Most of these are Asian catfishes.

Yeah, the whole part about them saying its not a Bagarius species kind of made them loose their credibility factore....

Thats cool about the H man. I'm not trying to be a punk though, seriously thats not my intentions. I just wanted to try and make for certain which species this was before I tried to sell it to anyone if I did decide to sell it. I don't have the set up for a Bagarius yarelli, and didn't really want Bagarius bagarius. So yeah. I really appreciate all the input and help everyone has put into helping me confirm this little bugger. Next time I'll pick a species that is easier to confirm. Haha

Further to Racoll's post... Silurus is THE man when it comes to Asian cats, actually most cats & a hell of a lot of other fishes too , you'll have to go to the end of the earth & back again to find his equal!

Your fish is without doubt Bagarius! Ask the person who says otherwise, why they think not? I'm intrigued..... I'm not a betting man at all but i'd put my mortgage on it!

Ah - crossed posts - Bagarius are difficult to identify & not that quick growing so if it is Yarrelli it'll be a while before it starts to get unmanagable. It could still be an unidentified species though.... although HH has spoken!

Yeah, I know they are slow growing, but the longer I keep it the harder it will be to part with it. Plus larger fish are harder to sell. LoL. I suppose I could always just set up a pool or stock tank, but don't even want to think about that yet.

Thanks again for the help guys!