CrazyPhishMan's giraffe catfish species ID

[PhishMon84]

thebiggerthebetter Yellowcat he guys I tried to start a conversation but that did not allow me to include a photo- thoughts on this SP?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Looks like the standard baby coloration is giving way to that of the Bouche river / locality species.

What'd you say Kirk? Yellowcat

 

[Yellowcat]

Patterns with the "Bouche " variant are usually more distinctive than with this fish. To me it looks more like what's known as auchenoglanis wittei, a variety of auchenoglanis occidentalis or just the more common a. occidentalis. The tan patterning on the back and head of the fish shown suggests that the fish is stressed, in my experience. The size of the fish isn't mentioned so it's hard to tell if its still a juvenile or in the process of maturing to adult size, as patterns change as they grow. In any case it will grow very much larger over time...

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I didn't think of stress.

Kirk, do Bouche, occidentalis, wittei babies look alike when small?

I ain't got an occidentalis and my Bouche pair came in at 10" already looking unmistakably.

 

[PhishMon84]

I believe there is a stress issue- as the store who reached out to me stated there is a royal pleco picking on the fish. It was a drop off and since they have brought larger tanks to my house in the past and know that I like catfish they texted me.
It’s about 14” and that’s all I know.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Well, if it is 14", then forget my guess. Kirk must be right. He usually is anyway

 

[Fishman Dave]

Occidentalis in my opinion as it looks identical to colour my two took when they were younger/ smaller and had been having a go at each other.

 

[PhishMon84]

Well, I guess I’d be responsible in leaving this fish as the store

 

[Yellowcat]

To answer Viktor's question, an obvious clue with the basic i.d. of a. wittei is the black mandibular barbels and the distinctive black spot on the operculum or gill cover that they retain even as large adults, among more subtle details that exist. Without further study of the differences between a. occidentalis and the wittei variant of same, I don't have any personal photos of a. occidentals to say for sure but it could be occidentalis as well, depending on whether or not they are the same species or not as some scientists argue. Yeah I'd leave that one at the store too, hoping someone will want it and can provide a very large and stress free environment, they're such personable pets to own, one of my fave's...

 

[PhishMon84]

Thank you for the replies.
The genus has it’s obvious appeal, hence being tempted. That being said I saw some very inexpensive cantex pools online today…

I wonder if I large growing synodontis might behave the same?

either way, I’m not getting this “rescue”