Mekong x RTC hybrid?

[moe214]

AFAIK, this is not a Mekong (aka Mekong Giant Catfish) but a common IDS = iridescent shark catfish with a very uncommon mutation in the genes that make its pigment aggregate in some portions of the skin and lack in others.

This have been known before.

Also been shown in channel catfish:

View attachment 1275351 View attachment 1275352

I would've said Paroon shark. Find are pointed and mouth looks wider

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I would've said Paroon shark. Find are pointed and mouth looks wider

I don't think so. Paroon of this size has significantly different body proportions, especially a wider, bulkier head and these fins are not pointy enough, especially the dorsal. The tail fin may be just folded a bit to look pointy.

Anyhow, Dr. Heok Hee Ng said it is an IDS. I think he is right: https://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=38667&hilit=orca this thread is based on the same photo as the OP.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Prior threads on this topic:

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...striking-freak-of-nature.542297/#post-6480324

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...these-before-ideas.607217/page-2#post-7132766

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/new-catfishes.585419/page-6#post-6961498

 

[J. H.]

AFAIK, this is not a Mekong (aka Mekong Giant Catfish) but a common IDS = iridescent shark catfish with a very uncommon mutation in the genes that make its pigment aggregate in some portions of the skin and lack in others.

This have been known before.

Also been shown in channel catfish:

View attachment 1275351 View attachment 1275352

That is also an awesome fish. Are piebald midas and spotted koi/goldfish the same thing?

 

[moe214]

I don't think so. Paroon of this size has significantly different body proportions, especially a wider, bulkier head and these fins are not pointy enough, especially the dorsal. The tail fin may be just folded a bit to look pointy.

Anyhow, Dr. Heok Hee Ng said it is an IDS. I think he is right: https://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=38667&hilit=orca this thread is based on the same photo as the OP.

You've got it sir lol glad to see we got you back as normal with links to back yourself up

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

You've got it sir lol glad to see we got you back as normal with links to back yourself up

I agree with you in that if it is an IDS, it's a bit funky-looking. But there are limitations - we are looking at a fish that's already an obvious mutant, out of the water, and in a single photo, not the most ID-friendly.

So whatever Silurus said is fine with me. He's been wrong before (because he could only afford enough time to just glance at the photos provided) but only a handful of times out of thousands of IDs he has helped us measly hobbyists with. He is very busy and was helping out PCF out of his friendship with Jools. In fact, he had to stop doing that recently, having been helping for 10-15 years.

Dr. Ng has helped tremendously, invaluably to get PCF off the ground and into what it is today. Having accomplished this, he moved on but he is still reachable to us, mere mortals, which is a blessing... like having a direct line to a President, might take time, patience, and perseverance, just like our hobby, but it is possible to get a hold of him personally