Identify a catfish at my LFS

[thebiggerthebetter]

It does appear to be a Sperata sp. at first glance, but I don't see any nasal barbels. That and the adipose doesn't quite have the right shape. The snout is also rather short for Sperata. My guess would have to be Megalonema platycephalum.
a very nice find IMO

You wowed me. Great job! 100% correct ID.

I'm not familiar with this fish at all other than, as stated above and in their profile, they are confused with B. vaillantii when young. https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?task=&species_id=1186

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Yes, this looks pretty much identical to it. It is definitely some sort of Shovel head/nose, I have found another example here: https://www.aqua-imports.com/shop/product/burmese-shovelnose-catfish-sperata-acicularis/
So in fact it is some sort of sperata Catfish...

The characteristic black spot you are referring to is in glaringly different location in young Sperata and in Megalonema. Gotta be more careful, in fact a lot more careful, when comparing photos and fish.... and making conclusions.

 

[Renegade Aquatics]

You wowed me. Great job! 100% correct ID.

Thank you, I really do appreciate that coming from you. However I'll admit the reason I probably was able to know right off the bat was since this is species I've wanted for quite a while. For whatever reason the body shape overall is just appealing to me, similar to Pim ornatus just marginally smaller.
Likewise, I am unable to give any info other than the name and a possible size estimate

 

[LimaShovelnoseSaltwater92]

Thank you Renegade Aquatics for identifying this fish for me, and thebiggerthebetter for confirming. Now, I wish I would have bought it when they were selling it as a “False Dorado Catfish” for $40 three weeks ago, but nobody bought it, and it has been moved 2 times since then to different sale tanks until I finally took interest, but now it is sitting there with a NFS tag and to inquire with an employee. Now I will have to go back in this week and see if they will sell it as they were doing a few weeks back...

 

[plecoking2010]

Sperata aperensis

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Sperata aperensis

Can you please tell us more about your suggestion? AFAIK and according to a brief looksee, there is no such thing.

 

[blackbullhead]

Definitely Megalonema,
The black spot at the base of the caudal fin is sometimes there and sometimes not.

 

[LimaShovelnoseSaltwater92]

Update: went in yesterday and asked if they would sell it. The guy said that he would talk to the person in charge. They realize they have something rare here, and I hope they decide to sell it because I have grown attached. He said to check in again mid this week, so I will. My 150 gallon is waiting.
PS: I just laugh when I think I could have bought him a few weeks ago for $40 as a “false Dorado Catfish”.

 

[plecoking2010]

Actually meant sperata acelaris. Something spelled like that. It is like. Golden shovelnose

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Actually meant sperata acelaris. Something spelled like that. It is like. Golden shovelnose

Thanks for explaining.

Acicularis.

Of course, as has been stated, Sperata's trademark black spot is on the adipose fin. M. platycephalum's is on the caudal peduncle.