Which Auchenipterids are being kept by PC members?

[The.Dark.One]

Yes, in my opinion they are clearly part of the intermedia complex based on size, structure of the modified anal fin, caudal shape and general pattern. In my opinion there are at least 5 if not 6 species/sub species parading as intermedia. This species is marked as Type C in my list (the pics are when they were stressed out after just being bought so not showing proper colours):

http://www.scotcat.com/thedarkone/auche ... media3.jpg
http://www.scotcat.com/thedarkone/auche ... _sp_a4.jpg
http://www.scotcat.com/thedarkone/auche ... _sp_b5.jpg
http://www.scotcat.com/thedarkone/auche ... _sp_c3.jpg
http://www.scotcat.com/thedarkone/auche ... _sp_d2.jpg

[Gorzak]

Hallo Steve, Marc
Thanks for your info.
So the name would be Tatia intermedia sp.

Well, here is another Trachycorystes trachycorystes.
I named it Novia Zapato Galaxy for the white dots.
I thought they may be some kind of wounds or fungus... but this is its natural color.
I got several more specimens with same color.
You may have seen some photos of them in the web...

[Jools]

One good way to tell these guys apart is if they try to kill each other or not.

Could you explain that pls?

IME, in a retail environment,

Trachycorystes

will really beat each other up,

Trachelyopterus

will not.

Jools

[Jools]

This is

Trachelyopterus sp(3)

for definite (which incidentally is the same fish as

Trachycorystes sp(1)

). I know the scientific names for these fish and will do a piece on them soon. IMO it is not the same as the yellow specimen as the morphology of the pectoral fins is different amongst other things.

Do tell... I can clear up the cat-elog on this too.

Jools

[Bijn]

confusingly this can also be explained as that they do like currents....

when there's a current they can get their oxygen supply without moving;
once the current is cut they must swim in order to get enough water flowing through the gills....

This could be true, but then I wonder why they choose the places with the least current to hang out.

[Bijn]

[wrasse]

These are the 5 Ageneiosus 'Amazonas' I picked up from Pier in the Summer. The biggest is around 12cm now. 3 have the dappled pattern with the distinct markings on top of the head, 1 has a more uniform grey pattern and is also the biggest, the 5th is the smallest with a shorter head and a darker pattern... a different species for sure.
None of them are big enough or mature enough to be sexed yet. These were tiny 'slithers' at the start.
What do you think they are?

[Marc van Arc]

The pattern on the head reminds me a lot of pictures of A. caucanus (now a synonym of A. pardalis) as shown in for instance Burgess' catfish book. Have a look at the picture section.
Also: could you make a shot of a resting specimen (if ever)?

Fwiw, when seeing yours I truly regret losing my 2 specimens......

[wrasse]

Thanks Mark,

I had not considered A Pardalis. If that's the case they have some growing to do...

I'll try to get some close-ups but like you say... they don't keep still, at least not when the lights are on. When lights are off I've found them resting on the bottom.

These are the first Ageneiosus I have kept. They couldn't be more different from other woodcats.

[arthos]

pictures for Marc,

Your precious lady showed herself for the first time during daylight feeding. She looks fine and has a nice round belly. She has a beautiful pattern.

[Marc van Arc]

Thanks Arthos, she's looking great.

Regretfully I can't say the same of my A. sp 3 female, which I found on the tank cover. It struck me that I only saw the 2 males, whereas they are normally inseparable. Ultimate bummer......

[sidguppy]

on the tanktop or on the glass panes?

she found a hole to jump through I think
damn, that's a bummer

[Marc van Arc]

On the glass panes. Probably hunting for food fish in the corner and jumped out through the tiny hole that was covered with java fern leaves till very recently....

[wrasse]

Hi Marc, here's the Ageneiosus in question... it might be 2 separate species. Any thoughts?

Both together... the bigger fish is a smooth grey, the other is dappled and has bold head stripes.


smooth grey


dappled


dappled


cheers, Richard

[Marc van Arc]

Except for the fact that there are beauties, no.....
Problem is that juvies may have a quite different pattern than adults (see A. marmoratus), so I think you have to wait a little longer in order to find out what they are.
Q: the dappled one seems broader (head area) than the grey one in the pictures. Is that so?

[wrasse]

Q: the dappled one seems broader (head area) than the grey one in the pictures. Is that so?

No, they have pretty much the same amazing head and body shape. Very elongated.
The 5th specimen (in the video) is the smallest of the 5, with a shorter mouth and is a darker fish.

[nvcichlids]

sorry if i had missed it, but how big are your fish wrasse?

[wrasse]

sorry if i had missed it, but how big are your fish wrasse?

the smooth grey one is a good 12cm, the largest of the dappled is nearly as big, 2 other dappled are around 9 and 10cm, the atronasus around 8cm.
They have all grown nicely but I expect their bodies might begin to get a bit more bulky at some point soon.

[Marc van Arc]

Richard, I found this picture on the net long ago, but these must be the same as yours. Still can't add a 100% ID on them.....
The picture must be from an exporter or importer (most likely Japanese), but I'm unable to find a source/photo credit.

[wrasse]

Yes Marc, that is definitely the same fish. Thanks.
Richard

[kruseman]

I purchased 6 Ageneiosus atronosus yesterday:

[sidguppy]

how are they doin today after that loooooong trip to and fro Groningen?

[Martin S]

More pics, please!

[kruseman]

how are they doin today after that loooooong trip to and fro Groningen?

They're doing fine!
They went straight from the wholsesalersbag into separate bags and spend quite some time hidden away in
a styrofoambox in the hood of my car.
I'm very pleased with them.
Thanks for the telephonic advice yesterday, Sidguppy!

I'll try to make some better pics soon.

[sidguppy]

can you see any difference in males and females?
at this size it should be visible at the anal fin:

difference in shape
difference in size
or
difference in color

[Acanthicus]

at this size it should be visible at the anal fin:

What size should they be to differenciate?

[kruseman]

I was just going to ask the same question, Acanthicus.

[sidguppy]

half their adult size should do the trick; at that size most Auchenipterids start to show differences....

[Marc van Arc]

I know neither size nor source, but here's a picture of a male:

A.cf atro male.jpg

I think these show somewhat later than at half size, but reckon sexing should be possible from 8 cms and on.
Sofar all specimens I've seen were still to small to sex.
Btw: due to the white sand and a lack of hiding places, this specimen looks pale.

[kruseman]

That's a clear image, though. I now know where to look for, although mine are probably too small to sex.
Yesterday they all looked female to my untrained eye.

An hour ago 1 Ageneiosus seemed to be stuck in the inlet of biofilter.
It looked like it wasn't able to swim away from the current.

That totally freaked me out.

The pump is running slower now so I hope that's fixing the problem.
If not: Ageneiosus isn't here to stay and are going to Eindhoven or some other safer place.