Nanobagrus - A Few Queries

[Shovelnose]

I have been lusting after these fish for a long time and finally decided to start looking out. I just wanted to know how common they are, how much they go for etc in Singapore.

IF I do manage to get a few specimens, I was thinking something like a two foot cube 'mildly' hill stream tank would suffice. My biggest concern is tank temperature as the weather reaches extremes (48C and 0C) where I am presently.


Any opinions???

[Silurus]

These are very infrequent imports to Singapore, and you need to be very familiar with the importers here, since none of the Nanobagrus entering Singapore actually ends up in an LFS (AFAIK, all are transhipped to other markets, likely Japan). I get the feeling that they are ordered only very sporadically (as there is hardly any market for them).

Some species do well in hillstream conditions (e.g. N. fuscus, N. nebulosus), while others would do better in blackwater setups (e.g. N. armatus, N. immaculatus).

If you really want them that badly, it would be easier for you to drive up north to Malaysia from Singapore and catch them from the wild yourself. There are several streams with Nanobagrus (mostly N. fuscus/N. torquatus types) about two or three hours by road.

[Shovelnose]

Thanks HH. If that's the case, I guess its better I ask people I know there to collect the fish instead of waiting for them to appear in the hobby. Quite sad fish such as these are not considered trade worthy.

I will update this thread when something significant happens.

[Shovelnose]

Do Nanobagrus go by any common name in the trade???

[Silurus]

I have seen N. immaculatus sold as “Borneo Mini Black Broadfin Cat”.

[medaka]

I was fortunate a few years ago to be given some N stellatus that had come into a LFS as a surprise mixed in with some small Batasio.
I managed to keep them alive for over 18 months. They were quite active whilst feeding otherwise they hid away amongst the tank decor.
Nice fish and one that I wish was more readily available.