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Hello,

Just got two of these little Hoplo cats. Thinking they're either Megalechis thoracata (Black Marble Hoplo)or perhaps Hoplosternum littorale (Brown Hoplo)? Or perhaps you fine folk have another idea? One's a little lighter and spottier than the other and both have quite light underbellies. About 3 - 3.5 cm right now.

Very curious/ brave/ gluttonous ( ) little fish; 2 days and already coming to my hand to feed.

Thanks in advance,

Kat

Unfortunately, the tailfin is nut clearly on the picture

if this fin is forked, it is Hoplosternum. If not, it will most likely be Megalichis.

Hoplosternum contains 3 species, 2 which grow to ~7 cm, and littorale which grows bigger. So these can easily be further identified by size.

Megalichis contains 2 species I could not distinguish

As you fish is laying on the sand, which my H littorale rarely do, my guess would be Megalechis

I think Megalechis thoracata as well. What I can see of the tail is not forked, and the large dark spots are much bigger than you'd find on H. littorale (at least the ones I have).

I'm very jealous. Haven't been able to find M. thoracata very easily in the last few years where I am.

Yes, pretty sure this is , the other congener has a dark vertical stripe in the caudal and a more checkerboard pattern at this side.

Cheers

Jools