Can anyone ID this clarias?

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R

rumblesushi

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 18, 2005
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I'm pretty sure it's not a batrachus. It's got a very wide head compared to it's body, and the back end of it's body is very feathery compared to most batrachus I've seen. It's also not aggressive in the slightest.

It looks more like fuscus than any other clarias cats I've seen, but fishbase lists that as growing to only 10 inches, and this fish is 14/15 inches. Fishbase sizes are often wrong though.

Any ideas?

clarias02.jpg


clarias03.jpg
 
On second thought, it could be Clarias macrocephalus. That's judging by the high dorsal. Also, macrocephalus means "large head". But, I didn't think they were culturing those in Europe. I only know of aquaculture being done, on this species, in Africa and Asia.

cgar.jpg
 
Thanks for the reply oddball, as far as I know there is very little aquaculture going on in England, most fish are imported.

What do you think it most likely is then? Macro? Definitely not fuscus?

BTW as far as growth rate, it hasn't been THAT quick. I've had it say 14 or 15 months and it's grown from 5 to 15 inches.
 
Oddball I just checked out a few pics of macrocephalus, and to be honest it does look just like that. Especially it being called "broadhead" catfish, as you can see mine has a very broad head.

The only thing that deters me is fishbase lists the macro as growing to 4 foot, I find it hard to believe a 4 foot fish would have only grown from 5 to 15 inches in 15 months. He eats LOADS too. Has a permanently huge belly.
 
I doubt it's C. fuscus. At present size, C. fuscus get's a 'spooning' to the cranium that I don't see in the pics you posted.

As to growth rate, do you feed him daily? Or, allow for, at least, one purge day a week? These cats do better with a purge day, or two, a week. Their growth will actually improve if all resources aren't being employed for digestion on a constant basis.
 
I feed at least once a day, with yes an occasional day of no feeding. Maybe once a week or once every 10 days.

Have you seen any macros in captivity Oddball? If so what's the biggest you've seen?
 
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