Oto and Haplo ID

SynoSteff · Post by **SynoSteff** » 11 Mar 2006, 13:27

Hey there people,

I just got a digi pic and managed to snap some nice pics of 2 of my cats and was wondering whether they could be ID'd to species. I just know them as Oto and Haplo ;)

I was thinkin that if they could be ID'd to species I could submit the pics to the Cat-E-Log if they are needed, how does one go about doing this?

Anyways, here are the pics

and

Mike_Noren · Post by **Mike_Noren** » 11 Mar 2006, 14:52

I'm guessing the oto is an Otocinclus hoppei based on that the lateral pigment line is discontinuous (kindof), and that the pigment spot at the caudal peduncle isn't confluent with the pigment "W" on the tail fin.

I wouldn't bet my house on that ID, though. The speckled dorsal pigmentation plus the almost continuous pigment band are a bit troublesome.

EDIT: for comparison, this fish fits the description of hoppei to a T:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/lo ... /804_1.PHP

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 11 Mar 2006, 17:22

and the bottom cat is Megalechis personata, but it's better known under its' old name Hoplosternum thoracatum.

yours is a female.
males of that size have long, outsticking pectoral spines wich are a bit orange on the tip.

it also has a native common name; Kwi Kwi.
this because of the squeaking noises it can make when you take it out of the water or when two males fight over dominance.