I think these hybrids are the same, no need for a new entry

[Viktor Jarikov]

The new entry

Pseudoplatystoma sp_hybrid(5)

imho is the same as the older entry

Pseudoplatystoma sp_hybrid(4)

It appears the new pic of the alleged #5 is merely a younger fish than the ones featured in #4 entry. They go through a drastic pattern change. Here are some pics of what we believe to be young #4:

(mine, whose pics are included in #4 Catelog entry, was from the same batch as seen in the second pic from John Kreatsoulas aka Snookn21)

[bekateen]

Hi Victor,

I entered that hybrid as a new hybrid, because the info associated with the photo called hybrid(5) is Leiarius marmoratus x P. fasciatum, whereas hybrid(4) is supposedly Leiarius x P. tigrinum.

Would you expect the hybrids to look much different starting with fasciatum instead of tigrinum?

Cheers, Eric

[smitty]

So clearly two different fish. I also appears that Pseudoplatystoma sp_hybrid(5) has much more defined round circle color markings. But does that anything to do with size and age or is it always like that.

[Viktor Jarikov]

Thanks, Eric!

The exact parentage of the hybrid or hybrids in question is unknown to us. Only the farmers that make them for food in SA may know. For all intents and purposes, I'd state that the most likely parents of hybrid #4 (and #5) are P. fasciatum (maternal) and L. marmoratus (paternal) but we really will never know (it's a trade secret) neither there is much need or interest to know.

For all we know they may use an inter-TSN spp hybrid for the mother but such increasingly complex guesses are culled by the Occam's razor rule.

All imho and worth $0.02.

[bekateen]

Hi Victor,

Thanks for the extra info. I know literally nothing about these guys besides what I've seen and read on this site.

Indeed they do look very similar (and @smitty, to answer your question, yes the coloration does change with age and size), so maybe the parent lineage is the same. But in the absence of more definitive info, it seems best to keep them separate, given that the current info - even if questionable - is contradictory.

Cheers, Eric

[Viktor Jarikov]

It looks like you are a splitter and I am a lumper

It'd be nice to hear from those higher up in the food chain...

[bekateen]

In this case yes. . Actually, if you read through some older threads, you discover that I'm usually a devout lumper (esp. when it comes to similar L- and C-numbers being considered as unique)! LOL

Hey, why is the lumper depicted as overweight and the splitter gaunt? That seems judgmental! And is that Abraham Lincoln playing the role of the splitter?

Cheers, Eric