Is there any way to tell the difference between...

[fleahound]

I have 2 fish that were sold to me as centrodoras brachiatus, they are 6" and approx 8" long at this time. I am wondering if there are any obvious (to a novice) differences in the species pterodoras granulosus and centrodoras brachiatus as juveniles. They are both speckly grey with more white on thier bellies. They closely resemble both varieties in the pictures on this website. Can one count the number of scutes on thier sides or something similar to differentiate the two types? I am hoping that they will not get quite as big as the pterodoras get. I am okay with and am currently easily able to accomodate centrodoras when they are full grown. The pterodoras will be somewhat more challenging to house properly. (perhaps that tropical pond is much closer in my future than I had previously thought) Any assistance would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[Silurus]

Pterodoras would have fewer bony scutes on the sides of the body, with a more prominent lateral shelf.

However, the best way is for you to post a picture. Someone here might be able to identify it for you.

[fleahound]

I am currently having some technical difficulties with photographing the crazy little monsters in thier dim tank without the glare from the flash. If I use it they retreat under the driftwood and peek out at me until I put the camera away, the reflection of the flash tends to be a little bright against the glass also. ( I need a tutorial on "how to take nice photos of fish" or even bad photos, just ones that you can see them in). Anyway, they have 21 and 22 scutes respectively on thier sides, the lateral shelf is hard to see on the smaller fish and just starting to show up on the larger one. I will post a picture when I get a decent one.

[fleahound]

Hmm, here is a pic of the bigger one, "Shorty".

[Silurus]

“Shorty” is a Pterodoras.

[fleahound]

oh my....

[Alan]

You've obviously read on here about how long Shorty can get, but you probably don't appreciate (as I didn't!) that he can end up with a "chest/waist" measurement approaching 40"!!

[fleahound]

Wow, sounds like a swimming football - they get a wee bit portly.
Unfortunately both Shorty and Teddy have gone back to the dealer that they were purchased from.
Thankfully he is a reasonable person who took them back for full refund without any hassle whatsoever. Unfortunately he had ordered Centrodoras from his supplier and was unaware of the substitution. They were rather small when purchased and are still not overly large (for Pterodoras anyway). I traded them for two very nice little spotted raphiel cats (and some credit) that I know won't get very big - although I am missing Shorty and Teddy - they were far more personable and really had neat personalities - they were always mooching food, peering at me and swimming about in the tank.
Maybe I will have the opportunity to have a pterodoras catfish in the future.
If the climate was warmer where I live, I would have been able to install a pond for them outside and keep it heated, but it gets too cold for that in the wintertime her in Alberta. The current house that I live in is too small to accomodate the type of pond that would be needed for them to stay indoors (not without a divorce occuring anyway). Hopefully whoever takes them home can accomodate them better than I can at this time.