Not Brachyplatystoma vaillantii, but what is it

[Jools]

Over the festive period I was sent some nice pictures of, in the main, large pims and a few other rare cats from Michael at http://www.raubwelse.de .

Among them were the first 3 pictures of

Brachyplatystoma vaillantii

you see on that page. I have added another today.

Michael and I both think the first two pictures (of a fish imported from Peru) are NOT

Brachyplatystoma vaillantii

. Michael sold them as Piramutana piramuta but I believe this is currently a junior synonym of

Brachyplatystoma vaillantii

and so NOT available for use. I am not aware of any debate over the synonyms validity?

So, anyone have any ideas about these two, specifically what the first fish might be. I am tempted to split it off into Brachyplatystoma sp. "Peru".

Jools

[Silurus]

How large is the fish in the first two pictures?

[Jools]

According to Michael,

pic 1 = 35cm
pic 2 = 15cm
pic 3 - 25cm

All sizes I would presume to be TL.

Jools

[Silurus]

Here's my take on the situation:

It is likely that the holotype of Bagrus piramuta is a young B. vaillantii, making the two species synonyms. The fish fish commonly sold in the aquarium trade as P. piramutana would either be an undescribed Brachyplatystoma (according to Lundberg, there are at least 3 of these) or more likely, an undescribed genus (because everyone thought they were Piramutana in the first place).
Just my theory, of course. The easiest way to clear this up would be to ask John.