Is this even a catfish?

[dav1d]

Hi guys. First post.

I bought a tank on ebay and it came with a whole load of goldfish and what I think may be a catfish due to the barbels and bottom skulking ways. Is it a catfish? I don't know. What the hell is going on with its back? It's like this wherever it is in the tank. It's about 10 cm at the moment. How big is it going to grow?

[Jools]

I can't see any images?

Jools

[bekateen]

Here, let me fix the links:

https://goo.gl/photos/RKPbn8xH8SNBuyzC8
https://goo.gl/photos/X8azj33R6vb1ChWCA
https://goo.gl/photos/dn6xJeUHEj8oGgq26
https://goo.gl/photos/dn6xJeUHEj8oGgq26 (this is a repeat of the last link)

Looks more like a dojo (or one of its relatives; I'm not familiar with that group) with a very bent spine.

Cheers, Eric

[Silurus]

A weather loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus). Not a catfish.

[bekateen]

As to info and size, you can get that here: http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factshee ... ciesID=498

[dav1d]

Thanks Eric. At the same time you were doing that, I was rehosting on imgur. I've looked up pics Dojo & I think you're right.

[bekateen]

You're welcome dav1d.

Silurus gave you the correct scientific name for the fish, and I'm not sure, but it's my impression that "dojo" is a more common name in America. Wherase I've never heard of it called a "weather loach" in my local stores, but almost always when people from other parts of the world refer to it, I see it called a weather loach instead of a dojo. I may be totally wrong on that interpretation, but as I said, I don't know that group of fish very well.

Cheers, Eric

[pleconut]

I have weather loaches sure looks like one to me. I've also bought things from eBay and seen loaches before categorised as 'catfish' must be the whiskas as for size around 10 inches though can reach 12 and is a cold water fish though can tolerate temps to 24 celsius.

[Atmichaels]

For further reading/reference:
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/we ... licaudatus

[Narwhal72]

Weather loach is a pretty common term for this fish in the U.S. Although the Dojo name is overtaking it in certain areas.

One reason may be that the Weather loach is actually a prohibited species in many states due to it's ability to become an invasive species.

Call it a Dojo loach and Poof! It's no longer restricted. (Although that's not really how it's supposed to work).

Andy