Hoplias ID confirmation please.

[mad ness]

I'm more or less convinced it's a common Malabaricus because it does have a lateral line (that keeps fading in and out changing patterns/hue).
but then it looks a lot like this Lacerdae - Sao Francisco photo I found here http://www.geocities.com/hoplias_research/hoplias_lacerdae.html

When he was at the shop, the stripe was less apparent, was hoping to luck out, looking at him now, has changed shades again, can see a pretty pronounced lateral stripe... In anycase will share the photos. Shop said the fish is from Venezuela. New to this species. Sure seem to be a lot of variants, but that's probably from the color changing.

15inch, sure does look the part. Have him in a split tank, some 6" caribe pygos next door caught him flaring his gills at.

Question: do I need a cover for this guy?

 

[mad ness]

here's a more recent photo 30mins from first ones taken.

 

[DarthRhom]

My guess is malabaricus and yes you need a tight fitting cover.

 

[mad ness]

have provided dark covered places for him to hide, another branch or two would prob be a good idea...

what causes them to jump out other than being scared? from first impressions the fish is not a skiddish one.

thanks

think a brick on plastic mesh cover is enough?

 

[channarox]

very tight lid is a must.
they dont get scared out of the tank,but something seems to make them like to jump out same as most air-breathing fish like bichirs and channa.
theyve been known to move to other water bodies in the wild over land.
my guess is malabaricus.
but hes got a very interesting head.
can you get a chin shot?
thats the best way to tell mala from lacerdae,which i dont think it is.

 

[mad ness]

chin shot different to the first photo attached... or just a more clear one?

 

[channarox]

a clearer one.

 

[alvincent11]

Not all Wolves need a lid. Ime the only ones that jump are younger ones trying to get away from bigger fish, hungry or just straight wuss. That looks like a big one so just watch out. If you don't have a lid for your tank then you are gonna be forkin some good money for one.
Channarox yes they do jump from fear.

 

[mad ness]

sorry clearest shot i could get with camera phone. can tell from these?

Have also attached diagrams from lower jaw from http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/pdf/oyakawa-mattox-2009.pdf

looks like figure d eh?

thnx

 

[channarox]

Not all Wolves need a lid. Ime the only ones that jump are younger ones trying to get away from bigger fish, hungry or just straight wuss. That looks like a big one so just watch out. If you don't have a lid for your tank then you are gonna be forkin some good money for one.
Channarox yes they do jump from fear.

sorry,what i meant was they do not generally jump from being scared.
especially when theyre used to their surroundings.
and its a mala.