Channallabes apus

The-Wolf · Post by **The-Wolf** » 09 May 2007, 09:28

how do I get the listing on planetcatfish amended for Channallabes apus?

I have an 18"(T/L) speciamine that shows no signs of stopping growing.
when I purchased him a few months ago he was at 12"
and I expected him to stay that size, after looking at the listing here and on other places.

[Mod Edit: Change to persistant link format -- Mats]

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 09 May 2007, 14:25

Well, the sizes in the Cat-eLog are "to the best of our knowledge", based on some verifiable source, such as the original description, fishbase or good fishbooks if there's no personal knowledge to the Cat-eLog entry-person.

Not that it's any consolation, http://www.fishbase.org doesn't seem to be any better, as it says "32.7 cm TL", and apparently your fish is longer than that.

If you can supply a clear photo with a ruler/tape-measure next to the fish, I'd be happy to update the Cat-eLog entry. Make sure the scale of the tape measure is clearly visible.

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Mats

The-Wolf · Post by **The-Wolf** » 09 May 2007, 15:02

I won't promise that will happen soon, but when it does, I will post the pic for sure.

at least I know now you are willing to amend the entry when proof is provided.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 09 May 2007, 16:25

No problem, take as long as you wish.

One of the main problems with sizes is that often the size is derived from preserved scientific samples. These are not always the biggest specimens the collector could find, because collectors want to collect as many of each species as possible, and two one-foot fishes may take up the same space as one 1.5 foot fish. Not to mention that finding the largest of a particular species may take some searching, and not just casting a net out in a few places...

The next problem is that a lot of (non-scientist) people aren't very good at measuring fish. It really requires the fish to sit still, and being able to get a tape-measure/ruler next to it. Often fish look much bigger in the tank than they really are when you put them next to a ruler... [I'm not saying you're wrong, but we've seen several people report 20" P. pardalis (Common pleco) for example, and when it comes to producing a photo, they aren't quite as big as was said.

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Mats

The-Wolf · Post by **The-Wolf** » 10 May 2007, 09:44

I see what you are saying and I freely admit that my estimations are sometimes on the exageration side,
however on this one my tank is 18" wide and he was laying perfectly still with his tail touching the back glass and the whiskers touching the front.

I will endavour to get a pic against a measure
asap