Heteropneustes Fossilis-Why have I never seen these fish?

robotron · Post by **robotron** » 06 Sep 2003, 21:56

Are fossil cats just not popular(now?) or is the importation of these fish restricted?I live in New Jersey and have seen all sorts of uncommon fish available in the better retail stores around here,but I have never seen these fish.They appear in magazines and books,just never in stores.Hmmm.....

Post by **Silurus** » 06 Sep 2003, 22:01

They're banned in some states, I think, but otherwise not considered popular aquarium fish.
The market for these things is probably in a slump right now.

Post by **Dinyar** » 07 Sep 2003, 16:51

They're not banned, AFAIK, though the busy boys at the ACSP may well change that with their recent amalgamation of Heteropneustidae with Clariidae. However, Heteropneustes have a reputation (undeserved, IMO) for being "nasty" and are not popular aquarium fish.

Dinyar

Post by **Silurus** » 07 Sep 2003, 16:57

They're not banned

Yes, they are, at least in Nevada.

robotron · Post by **robotron** » 08 Sep 2003, 17:16

Thanks guys,I am not looking to buy the fish.I was just curious about the availability of them.I wondered if perhaps they were being confused with walking catfish and being held back.I was also reading an old Ginny Eckstein Q and A that mentioned the stinging ability of these fish and thought perhaps that was why.Then again...they aren't the prettiest aquarium fish...