CA "rocky shores" community update log

[Toiletcar]

The only CA catfish species I’ve seen for sale are Rhamdia Guatemalensis which gets large and would definitely eat smaller fish.
Even most tetra species are hard to come by. There are so many interesting fish in Mexico and CA, I never understood why cichlids and livebarers are common in the hobby. Africa, Asia and SA you have so many options.

 

[Gourami Swami]

The only CA catfish species I’ve seen for sale are Rhamdia Guatemalensis which gets large and would definitely eat smaller fish.
Even most tetra species are hard to come by. There are so many interesting fish in Mexico and CA, I never understood why cichlids and livebarers are common in the hobby. Africa, Asia and SA you have so many options.

I had to google that, those guys look awesome. Looks a lot like the catfish I swam with in the cenotes in mexico, probably the same or a related species. I haven't seen those for sale before, if I did I would have to pick some up

 

[Toiletcar]

I had to google that, those guys look awesome. Looks a lot like the catfish I swam with in the cenotes in mexico, probably the same or a related species. I haven't seen those for sale before, if I did I would have to pick some up

Could have been the same species, they are very common.
Southern CA you can find some pleco species that are native I believe. But common plecos have unfortunately introduced in other parts.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Could have been the same species, they are very common.
Southern CA you can find some pleco species that are native I believe. But common plecos have unfortunately introduced in other parts.

True, I read that ancistrus are found in panama. So I actually put a baby blue eyed bristlenose in here. I'm not sure if bristlenose specifically or another ancistrus is found there, but eh, close enough for me

 

[Toiletcar]

True, I read that ancistrus are found in panama. So I actually put a baby blue eyed bristlenose in here. I'm not sure if bristlenose specifically or another ancistrus is found there, but eh, close enough for me

Yup. Panama is near because a lot of CA and SA fish coexist. In fact my astyanax bimaculatus are found there and most of SA.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Rhamdia quelen ,rhamdia guatemalensis,
Sturisoma panamense, ancistrus catfish can all be found in c/a.
There are also some beautiful species of goby. The gobies require quite specialist care so it's probably why they are very rarely available, it's a shame as some are very striking.
For something a little different there is also the Mexican dwarf crayfish. Also very striking as it's bright orange.
These could only be kept with the very smallest and most peaceful c/a's as most cichlids would probably attack them.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Ancistrus chagresi and ancistrus centrolepis are from Panama.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Forgot to mention the mayan tetra from the genus Hyphessobrycon is another widespread c/a characin.
Astyanax seem to be the only tetra spoke about in these discussions .
The genus roeboides is another that can be found in c/a as well as s/a.

 

[Toiletcar]

Forgot to mention the mayan tetra from the genus Hyphessobrycon is another widespread c/a characin.
Astyanax seem to be the only tetra spoke about in these discussions .
The genus roeboides is another that can be found in c/a as well as s/a.

Yes I forgot about them. Especially mayan tetra which I’ve always wanted but I don’t think they are available in the hobby at least I’ve never seen them for sale. They are smaller and more peaceful alternative to the astyanax spp.
I have seen roeboides guatemalensis sold once. Wanted them badly, but was unsure of their behavior and if they would have been ok w/ my stock at the time. They are preditory fish with big teeth to match. My astyanax bimaculatus are rough enough. They are scale eaters so tend shred cichlid fins. Thankfully I found if you keep them well fed they won’t do much damage. But I doubt I’d be ever be able to keep any livebarers with them.

 

[Toiletcar]

Also like to add Jeff Rapps used to get some rare CA fish in the past. Livebarers, catfish and tetras. Now it seems he’s more focused on SA fish, which I’m wondering if it’s because it is hard to collect and import.