diplogramma

[justarn]

he/she is around 6 inches, any idea on sexing these so i can name the little one? OBVIOUSLY tho diplogramma or micro, seems to be colour changing so i think ive finally got a diplo hopefully...

 

[tokyogasmask]

What makes you think it's a Diplogramma?
Seems to lack the spotting of a Diplo to me...

 

[chronick]

sorry to burst your bubble but that looks much more like a micro to me

 

[justarn]

well it seems to be changing colour above the lateral line, im sure micros dont start until around 12inch? also its belly seems more red where as the micros should be brilliant white... ive been looking on a snakehead forum and all the pics of diplos around this size look the same, we'll see! im gonna start my first plywood tank build next week so if he's not he'll have room anyway!

 

[kevinfleming21]

That looks like a Giant snakehead to me (micro), but I could be mistaken

 

[justarn]

diplos look pretty much exactly the same exept for suttle differences only the trained eye can see, they are called the indian giant snakehead and were thought to be the same spiecies for a long time... they top out at 18 inchs to 2 foot in the aquaria so are sought after.

 

[gigas12]

Hi,it has something strange to be a micro,I think its more of a diplo.

 

[justarn]

well ive been looking at some other forums now even im confused lol... a normal micro has a flat grey on top at this size.... unfortunatly i only got him/her last week and didnt ask any history from the fs, maybe i'll give them a call. either way im gonna 'attempt lol' a plywood tank build soon, with bolt together corners so i can get it from my garage to my lounge! around 7.5x3.5x3.5, this could be disasterous lol.

 

[Chris.West.Curtis]

Hi,
Can you take more photos?If we can look at the its colour clearly,I think it ID will be clear.

 

[tokyogasmask]

diplos look pretty much exactly the same exept for suttle differences only the trained eye can see, they are called the indian giant snakehead and were thought to be the same spiecies for a long time... they top out at 18 inchs to 2 foot in the aquaria so are sought after.

Having owned both (micros a number of times) I would say I have a trained eye.

Now not to say yours is for sure a Micropeltes, but from the pictures you have posted, it looks that way to me.
Diplos at that age/size USUALLY tend to have speckles of blue (sometimes black) around the body.
The body and especially the caudal fin also tend to have a vey blue hue to them too.

Micropeltes can vary in colors, pattern and shapes. The "flat grey top" theory is for sure not a way to ID a Micropeltes.

If you can post a clearer full body photo, can be more accurate for you.

Diplogramma, while not a common Channa, they are certainly not hard to find anymore, and prices are very reasonable now.
So if indeed yours does turn out to be a Micro, getting a Diplo shouldn't be too much trouble.