PlanetCatfish.com

like my LFS told me, but what are they? They're the same shape and size as my c. delphax and c. ambiacus. I now have 6!

They are Scleromystax barbatus.

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YES!! Thank you!

I thought they looked familar when looking at these in the other forum, having seen them locally at £20 a fish for <4cm SL babies!

Nice surprise by the sounds of things, only potential downside is they will need cooler and faster current conditions than Brochis.

What tankmates have you got to go with them, or will they be a species only tank?

At the moment they're housed with c. trilineatus, c. leukomelus, and peppers.

After doing more research, it's starting to look like they're sclermystax kronei. Can anyone confirm?

Definitely a Scleromystax, probably barbatus. I would suggest the only way to know they are kronei is if you know the origin of the fish, either which part of Brazil or who was the breeder. Adults of the two species are very similar and juvenilles are impossible to tell apart.

I see from your fish list you have macropterus. A very rarely available Scleromystax. Are there breeders in the U.S or are these wild caught in orgin? I think we all know they are banned from export but they do crop up from time to time.

Cheers,
Mark.

you are aware that species like trilineatus and especially leucomelas can handle and appreciate warmer water, but this barbatus should be kept at room temperature in a non heated tank?

they can handle warmth, but to keep em in shape they should have a cool or cold period of several months a year