2 types of paroon?

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badreverend

badreverend

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jul 28, 2007
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Bishop Ca
I know there are several pangasius species- but I was wondering if there is more than one fish commonly known as the paroon- the reason Im asking is Ive seen paroons that look like IR sharks with fin extensions and Ive seen pale silver grey fish with long black fins- I was thinking juvenile and adult coloration, but Ive seen both of them from just a few inches to a few feet?
 
I know of 13 species, but there are possibly more. There are 2 types that look like Iridescent Sharks and 3 that look like Paroon Sharks to me, but they all tend to have some differences.

The 2 Iridescent Sharks that look alike to me are P. Hypophthalmus and P. Pleurotaenia. While I'm sure there will be people who can tell the difference, these 2 look very similar, IMO.

The 3 Paroon Sharks that look alike to me are P. Sanitwongsei, P. Bocourti, and P. Larnaudii. While these guys have more distinct traits that can distinguish them apart, they also look very similar, especially P. Sanitwongsei and P. Bocourti.
 
benzjamin13;3346067; said:
I know of 13 species, but there are possibly more. There are 2 types that look like Iridescent Sharks and 3 that look like Paroon Sharks to me, but they all tend to have some differences.

The 2 Iridescent Sharks that look alike to me are P. Hypophthalmus and P. Pleurotaenia. While I'm sure there will be people who can tell the difference, these 2 look very similar, IMO.

The 3 Paroon Sharks that look alike to me are P. Sanitwongsei, P. Bocourti, and P. Larnaudii. While these guys have more distinct traits that can distinguish them apart, they also look very similar, especially P. Sanitwongsei and P. Bocourti.
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Ive never heard of the p pleurotaenia, and the p larnaudii is the black ear- but do you know how to tell p sanitwongsei and p bocourti apart?
I recently picked a 2"er up that has similar, but not identical coloration to an IR, but its nearly double the width from eye to eye- so I was wondering if it will go grey or will the fins just extend- Ill try to get some pics up- but hes pretty active
 
Heres the best picture that I could get

picture.php
 
That looks very much like the 'paroons' we get around here, and they grow up to be just like regular paroon sharks in due time.
 
badreverend;3346804; said:
Ive never heard of the p pleurotaenia, and the p larnaudii is the black ear- but do you know how to tell p sanitwongsei and p bocourti apart?
I recently picked a 2"er up that has similar, but not identical coloration to an IR, but its nearly double the width from eye to eye- so I was wondering if it will go grey or will the fins just extend- Ill try to get some pics up- but hes pretty active
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Both of these species have broad heads. That's why they look very similar. The only thing I can see, is that Santiwongsei will develop the long trailer on it's dorsal fin. As juvies, it's a bit hard to tell, but the dorsal fin of Bocourti is a bit more rounded out. Going by your shot, the dorsal fin looks pointed so it's more likely Santiwongsei. I haven't seen Bocoutri being imported, but I'm not sure.
 
MaverickG13;3347573; said:
Does anybody notice that juvenile Mekong Giant Cats look like minature adult ID Sharks?
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yeah...
 
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