which tatia

[hullfishman]

hi guys sorry for the bad pics but is it possible to id my tatia, i bought a pair as galaxias but i think they are either tatia intermedia or Tatia jaracatia, im leaning more towards Tatia jaracatia due to the pattern on the tail but im by no means an expert so would like your opinions
thanks

[MatsP]

I'd put money on it being

Tatia intermedia

, but to determine for sure, we would need to see the anal fin and the humeral process (the bony bit behind the gill-over).

--
Mats

[hullfishman]

no problem i will try to get some better pics at feeding time
thanks
dave

[Marc van Arc]

Unless the pictures have been replaced (but I don't see an edit, so don't think so) this is a male specimen (anal fin!) of a member of the Tatia intermedia "group". This used to be one species, but scientist have found out this is actually a group, which consists of several, yet undescribed species afaik.
By the looks of the tail pattern I'm with you wrt jaracatia, although tail patterns may vary a bit. I think Steve (the dark one) should be able to give you a name or at least a clue.

[The.Dark.One]

Hi

Yes it is one of the intermedia complex, looking at how narrow the caudal peduncle I thought it was the 'common' one, though it does have the colouration, and caudal pattern (of some specimens) of sp D (= jaracatia in the clog), and so I think it is that form.



BTW, jaracatia in the clog is not the true jaracatia IMO.

[The.Dark.One]

Actually, I have had another look based on the narrow caudal peduncle, this and the position of the adipose fin in relation to the anal fin and the more spotted caudal (for a male) makes me think this is the 'common' form of intermedia.

[MatsP]

Having had a look at the pictures and compared with the description of jaracatia, and the pictures are not a match - the description says the humeral process should reach beyond the origin of the dorsal fin, which it clearly doesn't.

--
Mats

[Marc van Arc]

Having had a look at the pictures and compared with the description of jaracatia, and the pictures are not a match - the description says the humeral process should reach beyond the origin of the dorsal fin, which it clearly doesn't.

It's not very clear to which posting your answer refers. Is this a reaction on Steve's remark that the C-log jaracatia is not the genuine jaracatia (in his opinion) or does this refer to the initial posting by Hullfishman?

[MatsP]

It was very clear in my head ;) I'm referring to the pictures in the clog. I have posted similar to the "bugs" section.

--
Mats

[Marc van Arc]

It was very clear in my head

That's cool, but I hope Hullfishman still understands.

So in short for Dave:

- your fish is T. intermedia, based on the arguments given by Steve
- for some reason dark spotted Tatia are almost always offered as T. galaxias, which they usually aren't.

Whatever the name, you have good taste

[hullfishman]

thanks for the replies guys i really dont mind which tatia i have as they are very nice fish but its always nice to be able to get a proper id in case i ever need to move on young from them, i have 5 babies shooting around my fry trap at the moment.
here is another pic which i took at feeding time last night, sorry for another poor pic but these guys just wont stay still

this pic was the best out of about 50 i took lol

[The.Dark.One]

hullfishman, what you can clearly say is that it is an intermedia. Unfortunately your last pic doesnt help me as it is a female and the females of the two types are very similar. Anyway, as marc says they are nice fish either way!

[hullfishman]

thanks for all the help guys
another poor pic of the male

what is it that you look for in the males to tell them apart from another sp ? the anal fin is the only difference i can see between male and female.
i would also like to make them feel at home so if anyone could tell me what the natural habitat is like i could try to recreate this in my tank, at the moment i have a few caves with slate overhangs and lots of beech branches, do i need any plants?
thanks again
dave

[The.Dark.One]

At the moment the forms of intermedia are technically one species but IMO will at some point be split into different species or subspecies. If you look on my link under my signature and go onto the Auchenipteridae page you will see 5 different forms that are supposedly intermedia but aren't IMO.

A difference I have spotted between the 'common' intermedia and sp. D is that in the sp. D the caudal peduncle is thicker, but also the adipose fin is set further forward towards the dorsal fin in relation to the anal fin when compared with the 'common' intermedia. based on these I would say you have the 'common' form.

As for how best to keep them marc will be able to tell you about this better than I can, but you can't be doing bad if they have spawned.

[hullfishman]

thanks for all the info it really does help me to learn more about these cracking little fish, i already have the urge to buy more but i must show restraint. the fish didnt actually spawn for me, the fry where sent through the post in a small bag in the same fish box as the adults, it was a trail really to see how they did, most of the young survived but most escaped my fry saver into the main tank with the parent and i have not seen them since, i sorted the trap out so the remaining 5 could not escape.
once again thanks to everyone for all the info
regards
dave

[Marc van Arc]

http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm. ... cle_id=390

Btw: this article was written in the days people thought there was just 1 T. intermedia....