dwarf electric catfish malapterus microstoma

[mcaquatic]

I maybe able to purchase a dwarf catfish from a very reliable importer. He believes these are the true thing. Anyone know how large they actually get?

[apistomaster]

About 22 inches SL according to http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/spe ... ies_id=101.
I had a juvenile of some Malapterus species about 40 years ago which was only about 6 inches in TL.
I did happen to touch it in a net and was rather shocked at how strong it's shock was. Hardly any danger but still a surprise.
Since they all get big it hardly makes any difference in a practical aquarist's sense, does it?

[Silurus]

You should be looking for Paradoxoglanis if you want something smaller.

[Birger]

To start I will make sure to tell you Malapterurus microstoma is not a dwarf species, 56 cm SL is almost 2 feet long, the reason for the name microstoma is in reference to the small narrow mouth that the species has.

That said there are a number of other species that will stay smaller that could be considered "dwarf" Malapterurus. With a picture and possibly a export location we could come close to the right species.

I have a feeling they (whoever they are)have just picked a name for the fish without too much thought.

Birger

and yes Paradoxoglanis would be great to see and have...

[mcaquatic]

Nope two feet is exactly what I wanted to confirm for the dwarf. I really don't want anything larger. Two foot is defintely a large fish, but I can easily house for life (If it reaches three feet I can house that too). Also I enjoy solo tanks. Makes very relativity low maintenance tanks. The cat e-log is fantastic resource, but is not always right.

To start I will make sure to tell you Malapterurus microstoma is not a dwarf species, 56 cm SL is almost 2 feet long, the reason for the name microstoma is in reference to the small narrow mouth that the species has.

That said there are a number of other species that will stay smaller that could be considered "dwarf" Malapterurus. With a picture and possibly a export location we could come close to the right species.

I have a feeling they (whoever they are)have just picked a name for the fish without too much thought.

Birger

and yes Paradoxoglanis would be great to see and have...

This is actually insulting especially since I went out of my way to say I it was through a reliable importer. The person I am getting the fish from (if he does end up importing the group to the US) has been bringing in rare fish for years. A lot of the fish he brings in no else brings in or he is a year or two a head of the next importer. There are misses occasionally, but very rarely. He has identified the fish by the scientific name and not using the common name dwarf electric cat actually. There are dedicated people out there that do strive to bring in rare and unusual fishes not for the sake of money. Wes is not about making a buck.
Fish I personally bought from him that are or where hard to find at the time of purchase: TAFT (ID correcly), black berry silver dollars, L114 (awhile ago), and gymnothorax polyuranodon (well before anyone else had them). He has and brought in much more rare and interesting stuff then what i bought, but I thought I would list mine.


I will also look into the Paradoxoglanis. I don't really know much about them.

[Silurus]

One thing to note about that size on the Cat-eLog. Two feet is the largest specimen ever studied for this species, but this doesn't mean that the fish cannot grow larger. The chances of finding a larger individual decrease for well-studied species (so we become more confident of the maximum sizes), but M. microstoma is not exactly a well-studied species.

[mcaquatic]

One thing to note about that size on the Cat-eLog. Two feet is the largest specimen ever studied for this species, but this doesn't mean that the fish cannot grow larger. The chances of finding a larger individual decrease for well-studied species (so we become more confident of the maximum sizes), but M. microstoma is not exactly a well-studied species.

Thats an interesting point

[Birger]

This is actually insulting especially since I went out of my way to say I it was through a reliable importer.

This was not an insult to your importer, he can only say what the exporters tell him the fish are...that said many exporters will often use either Malapterurus electricus for bigger or Malapterurus microstoma if they think they will be smaller...just sayin...good luck with whatever it is

[Viktor Jarikov]

My very limited exposure to e-cats tells me that we still don't know well (or at all?) how to distinguish juvies of the 19 new species that a few years ago were all but M. electricus. I am yet to see a definitive answer in any of the recent e-cat ID threads on several forums, PCF, MFK, etc.

Anyone, correct me if I am wrong, by all means.

[Birger]

My very limited exposure to e-cats tells me that we still don't know well (or at all?) how to distinguish juvies of the 19 new species that a few years ago were all but M. electricus. I am yet to see a definitive answer in any of the recent e-cat ID threads on several forums, PCF, MFK, etc.

Anyone, correct me if I am wrong, by all means.

This is fairly true but every bit of info helps...maybe not short term but long term I know I am gaining knowledge with these. Lets not give up because they are difficult.

Birger

[mcaquatic]

If mine comes through I will post pictures and keep a grow out thread going if that is of any use.

[Viktor Jarikov]

This is fairly true but every bit of info helps...maybe not short term but long term I know I am gaining knowledge with these. Lets not give up because they are difficult. Birger

Sorry if I came across pessimistic. I meant to sound realistic about "state of the art" of ID-ing e-cats. You are one of my biggest hopes in this matter, Birger

If mine comes through I will post pictures and keep a grow out thread going if that is of any use.

Needless to say but that'd be great, mate! Just like Birger just said: every little bit helps. I'll add: we are all in this together

[mcaquatic]

Can more then one be housed together or they solo?

[Viktor Jarikov]

AFAIK, juvies are ok, at least in numbers in an LFS tank. Adults only come together for mating. I think adults are solitary for a reason. I've no clue if this applies to all 19 new species.

[mcaquatic]

Just got two in. Will try to get pictures later. Man do they pack a punch.

[mcaquatic]

these guys are great. Though only one came out for pictures

[mcaquatic]

I need to post a new picture soon this guy is getting big

[Erlend D Bertelsen]

When they grow up, they will start fighting like this. At least my fishes did. And yes, they grow to fast.



E

[mcaquatic]

interesting video. Unfortunatley I am down to one. The one I have is pretty mean. He jumped the divider (still not sure how) and killed the other one. When doing tank maintenance I have to keep my eye on him because he has no qualms zapping me.

[mcaquatic]

He is getting big

[Birger]

hmmm not so dwarfish....looks healthy...the zaps still make you react..lol..I am sure always a reaction.


Birger

[mcaquatic]

hmmm not so dwarfish....looks healthy...the zaps still make you react..lol..I am sure always a reaction.


Birger

He packs one heck of a zap. if he stops at around 18 inches he is a dwarf compared to the other species. If he gets bigger then 18 inches then we will just need a bigger end tank lol

[Viktor Jarikov]

Nice. Much appreciated update. So it must be under 18" now, I assume.

[mcaquatic]

yup. he is a very thick 12 inches

[mcaquatic]

13-14 inches

[mcaquatic]

old thread but figure I should report the catfish stopped growing at about 2 ft but is very thick. One of the best fish I have owned.
I also just picked up a paradoxoglanis sp. no clue which one

[Viktor Jarikov]

Great news. Thanks! Any photos or videos or any tidbits of interesting observations? What makes it one of the best?

I, for one, have never heard of the Paradoxoglanis. Interested in learning from you.

[mcaquatic]

lots of personality to him. Always comes to me when I enter the fish room and follows me as much as he can. Fun to hand feed.
I consider him one of the more intelligent fish I own (such as fahaka, rays, giant gourami that have own/owned) which counts for a lot.

[Birger]

If it is a paradoxoglanis make sure the lateral line is short...or it is not one. Amazonas reported one a few years ago but before I saw that specific fish. Turns out I could see the full length lateral line making it not paradoxoglanis.

Birger