Recently Jurassic Aquatics had some of these available - they not only were cool looking fish, but also very interesting. This was the first hybrid I had ever come across where both fish were from different families (Doradidae and Pimelodidae).
In addition to that, having been able to find no current keepers on here or on PlanetCatfish, with few pictures of juveniles, and zero pictures of adults I was tempted even further.
Needless to say, being a lover of catfish, South American fish, taxonomy and rare fish - this was a purchase too tempting to refuse.
After some great communication with Mike Sema from Jurassic Aquatics he sent me a fish to arrive on April 16th.
Not wanting a fish of this rarity to be in transit any longer than necessary, Mike got a hold for me at the post office. Once tracking said the package had arrived I was off to the post office in our beautiful Wisconsin Spring weather.
The fish was well packaged and insulated. The water was neither too warm nor too cold, despite the fact that he had punctured the bag. The box was wet inside and out, but there was still plenty of water in the bag because it was triple bagged.
Upon getting the fish he was a little skinny - but otherwise looked good physically (sorry for the poor picture, it was the best I could get at the time). Due to his skinniness and maybe the stress of the trip, he seemed to struggle orienting himself even when at rest in the bottom of the tank, always being tipped to one side or another. He would also swim around running into the glass and other objects - I was concerned about this, and kept Mike up to date on how the fish was doing.
Mike was constantly in touch, and reassured me that he stood behind his product - and that he wanted to see this thing raised to adulthood here on MFK.
The first night the fish took bloodworms greedily despite the awkward swimming.
The next day he would move onto small pieces of massivore.
Four days ago, I started adding a few 3mm pelets of new life spectrum, and although he didnt relish them he did eat the majority of them.
I thought I was in the clear. The fishes body looked better, he was getting a big belly every day, and he was properly orienting himself and swimming gracefully and with purpose. Then three days ago I noticed the first spots of ich on him.
I didnt react immediately, but the next day when there were a few more spots, I decided to add cupramine. I did a water change, turned up the temp to 82F, and added it.
Today, the spots are the worst that they have looked. I added two tablespoons of salt per 10g today. The feeding today consisted solely of new life spectrum and appeared to be largely refused.
Hoping to see some improvement tomorrow. Will either try a few small pieces of massivore or a cube of bloodworms tomorrow.
I didnt want to post this thread until I thought that I was in the clear, but the urge to post something became too great.
Id like to thank Mike and Jurassic Aquatics for making fish like these available, and for the thus far stellar customer support.
Hopefully there will be updates for years to come and MFK will get to see this fish grown to adulthood.
In addition to that, having been able to find no current keepers on here or on PlanetCatfish, with few pictures of juveniles, and zero pictures of adults I was tempted even further.
Needless to say, being a lover of catfish, South American fish, taxonomy and rare fish - this was a purchase too tempting to refuse.
After some great communication with Mike Sema from Jurassic Aquatics he sent me a fish to arrive on April 16th.
Not wanting a fish of this rarity to be in transit any longer than necessary, Mike got a hold for me at the post office. Once tracking said the package had arrived I was off to the post office in our beautiful Wisconsin Spring weather.
The fish was well packaged and insulated. The water was neither too warm nor too cold, despite the fact that he had punctured the bag. The box was wet inside and out, but there was still plenty of water in the bag because it was triple bagged.
Upon getting the fish he was a little skinny - but otherwise looked good physically (sorry for the poor picture, it was the best I could get at the time). Due to his skinniness and maybe the stress of the trip, he seemed to struggle orienting himself even when at rest in the bottom of the tank, always being tipped to one side or another. He would also swim around running into the glass and other objects - I was concerned about this, and kept Mike up to date on how the fish was doing.
Mike was constantly in touch, and reassured me that he stood behind his product - and that he wanted to see this thing raised to adulthood here on MFK.
The first night the fish took bloodworms greedily despite the awkward swimming.
The next day he would move onto small pieces of massivore.
Four days ago, I started adding a few 3mm pelets of new life spectrum, and although he didnt relish them he did eat the majority of them.
I thought I was in the clear. The fishes body looked better, he was getting a big belly every day, and he was properly orienting himself and swimming gracefully and with purpose. Then three days ago I noticed the first spots of ich on him.
I didnt react immediately, but the next day when there were a few more spots, I decided to add cupramine. I did a water change, turned up the temp to 82F, and added it.
Today, the spots are the worst that they have looked. I added two tablespoons of salt per 10g today. The feeding today consisted solely of new life spectrum and appeared to be largely refused.
Hoping to see some improvement tomorrow. Will either try a few small pieces of massivore or a cube of bloodworms tomorrow.
I didnt want to post this thread until I thought that I was in the clear, but the urge to post something became too great.
Id like to thank Mike and Jurassic Aquatics for making fish like these available, and for the thus far stellar customer support.
Hopefully there will be updates for years to come and MFK will get to see this fish grown to adulthood.
I have a video I took a few min ago of them killing blood worms, if I can just figure out how to post it. 