Lophobagrus ?

Coler · Post by **Coler** » 17 May 2007, 22:45

Hi folks - great forum you have

I've just bought two fish labelled as Lophiobagrus.

Colour, fins etc look like brevispinis, however they're 3 and 4 inches long...so bigger than the profile suggests.

Also, their mouths are 'on top' of their heads...what you all make of them ?

Sorry I don't have a pic - my camera isn't up to it.

Post by **Silurus** » 17 May 2007, 22:50

Hmm...mouth on top of head...not by any chance?

Coler · Post by **Coler** » 17 May 2007, 22:58

thanks for the (very quick reply)

Lophiosilurus alexandri bears a resemblance in terms of facial features.

but nope (thankfully when I saw the size alexandri can get to!)...wrong colour...mine are rusty/grey with a touch of red to their face. Very distinct and visible scale pattern

Body is elongated almost eel like...slightly flattened but not anything like to the same extent as alexandri...A small thoracic pelvic fin on each side which is constantly fluttered when swimming.

The mouth is on top and 'extendable' i.e. a short almost nozzle like extension is visible when feeding/looking for food.

They look a little bit like this picture of a senegal bichir http://www.primitivefish.com/Bichir3.jpg

Post by **Silurus** » 17 May 2007, 23:07

If it has scales, it ain't a catfish.

Sounds like a reed fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus).

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 17 May 2007, 23:09

Any chance of a photo so we can give you a proper ID?

Coler · Post by **Coler** » 17 May 2007, 23:14

doh ! lol scales...just as I posted that I said to myself "waaaait a minute...it has scales" I'm new but I'm not that new lol

I'll try and stick up a pic...definitely similarities to Erpetoichthys calabaricus but, mine have lots of finnage.

Thanks for the help folks

Post by **Silurus** » 17 May 2007, 23:17

If it has many (dorsal) fins, it has to be a polypterid (either Polypterus or Erpetoichthys).

Coler · Post by **Coler** » 20 May 2007, 23:08

unfortunately these were the best I have gotten so far.

Ignore previous descriptions of fins I was wrong ! they are :

caudal fin, anal fin, dorsal triangular fin closer to tail than head, ventral fin slightly in front (closer to head) of dorsal fin, two pelvic fins (thoracic).

eyes and mouth are on top of head. head is higher set than eyes. two nodules, bichir like on nose.

behaviour highly nocturnal, sometimes rests motionless/stationary on substrate with upper third of body suspended in the water.

Coler · Post by **Coler** » 20 May 2007, 23:09

fish is scaled

Post by **Silurus** » 20 May 2007, 23:16

I think Phractolaemus ansorgii

Coler · Post by **Coler** » 20 May 2007, 23:22

spot on.

thanks a million

Danno · Post by **Danno** » 27 May 2007, 17:19

sounds like a chinese dragon fish not very big but definately a preditor

Lophobagrus ?

Lophobagrus ?

fish?