Notes on Batrochoglanis Villosus
Posted: 08 Jul 2022, 22:39
I am now keeping my third specimen of b. villosus. As with my two former one's, this one is also imported from Peru. Interesting is that through research there is little if any evidence that this species is endemic to Peru, even FishBase shows them to exist only in Venezuela, Colombia, Guyana and Brazil. With my fish and other anecdotal reports, suggest otherwise. In a correspondence last year with Dr. Oscar Shibatta, he agrees that further study is needed in the Peruvian Amazon for pseudopimelodidae.
About sexual dimorphism in this species, I found that my two former specimens were male's and my new one is a decidedly a female based upon comparative morphometrics and the absence of genital papillae. I initially guessed that the new fish was female just due to it's basic profile compared to past specimens. Also different is colouration and markings to a less degree as can be seen in the following photos:
This was my first specimen
My second one
Same fish, noting large head compared to girth.
The newest one-nocturnal colouration
Same fish diurnal colour
Interesting is that the original two were almost strictly piscivorous and the new one will feed on a wide variety of frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp plus a variety of pellets and likes live nightcrawler worms.
I'm not sure if the sexual differences may apply to other batrochoglanis species such a b. raninus for example, the only other of the genus usually imported.
Having kept the latest one for only one year, 3 months, I already assumed it was close to being an adult as it arrived as being 9" long TL. Since then it is now 9 3/4" TL., so I assume any further growth will be slow and minimal, time will tell. I still have questions as to whether or not my three examples are the exact same species or are more likely, just individual differences or regional adaptations within Peru. In any case, they are so very close to examples I've seen in photos of these fish found in other countries, so I'm inclined to think the species is probably valid until future studies may determine otherwise...
About sexual dimorphism in this species, I found that my two former specimens were male's and my new one is a decidedly a female based upon comparative morphometrics and the absence of genital papillae. I initially guessed that the new fish was female just due to it's basic profile compared to past specimens. Also different is colouration and markings to a less degree as can be seen in the following photos:
The newest one-nocturnal colouration
Interesting is that the original two were almost strictly piscivorous and the new one will feed on a wide variety of frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp plus a variety of pellets and likes live nightcrawler worms.
I'm not sure if the sexual differences may apply to other batrochoglanis species such a b. raninus for example, the only other of the genus usually imported.
Having kept the latest one for only one year, 3 months, I already assumed it was close to being an adult as it arrived as being 9" long TL. Since then it is now 9 3/4" TL., so I assume any further growth will be slow and minimal, time will tell. I still have questions as to whether or not my three examples are the exact same species or are more likely, just individual differences or regional adaptations within Peru. In any case, they are so very close to examples I've seen in photos of these fish found in other countries, so I'm inclined to think the species is probably valid until future studies may determine otherwise...
