Hemisorubim platyrhynchos

bunjiweb · Post by **bunjiweb** » 12 May 2005, 11:09

Anyone got any info on this fish? We had some in at work and they are really small! I read they grow to 10-12" in an aquarium, how accurate is this?

Ben

catfishcrazy · Post by **catfishcrazy** » 18 May 2005, 12:43

I belive that the species can grow much larger than 12 inches in captivity, mine has already reached 12 inches in under a year and is still showing the juvinile charcteristic of the lower lobe of the caudal fin being larger than the upper, in adult fish both lobes should be around the same size. Fishbase lists the species as being able to reach around 20 inches so with proper feeding and care there should be no reason why the fish should not be able to reach at least 15 to 18 inches.

bunjiweb · Post by **bunjiweb** » 19 May 2005, 01:05

I am setting up a 6x2x2ft tank that will house synodontis catfishes including an 8" Angelicus, A Black Ghost Knife, 3 or more Pim. Pictus, 2 Geo Cichlids, 2 festivum Cichlids and some other large fish. I was looking at getting a BIG catfish, but i dont want one that will consume anything much smaller. We have a beautiful Jag/Perruno Catfish cross at work but wont it grow to over 2ft?.... We also have these Hemisorubim platyrhynchos that are only about 3.5" at the moment...

I really want a shovelnose but i dont want one that would eat all my fish, and from what i've read most of them do. My favourite looking one I would say is the Lima, But what kind of "fish consuming" habbits should i expect from them?

Ben

natefrog · Post by **natefrog** » 19 May 2005, 07:26

Limas should be just fine with fish of that size. They rarely get larger that 20 or so inches in captivity and their mouths are suited for smaller prey, it is the only shovelnose that I would suggest with other than close to equally sized fish. The biggest thing i can suggest with Lima is to start feeding them frozen or prepared food early on...otherwise it is feeders for life.

catfishcrazy · Post by **catfishcrazy** » 19 May 2005, 16:56

The Hemisorubim would also work as they are very similar in size and eating ability to the lima but a word of warning is that they are strictly nocturnal and quite reclusive, so if you want a fish that will be out and about where you can see it the lima is the best choice.

bunjiweb · Post by **bunjiweb** » 20 May 2005, 01:43

Think i will give these ones a miss then and wait for some limas!

Ben

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 25 May 2005, 18:43

Alas. You are going to miss an opportunity to get some brilliant fish. I can think of several reasons why you would prefer the Sorubim, but the Hemisorubim, once used to aquatic circumstances, makes an even more interesting fish.
BTW: I've had them both for years; might that be an option?