Hydrolycus sp. Which is it?

[Industrial]

So at work we just got 4 8-10" hydrolycus sp. My boss said the wholesaler called them "hydrolicus scomberoides" but they call everything vampire tetra that.

These guys definitely swam at a level angle, and had redish yellow tailfins that ended black. To me, they didn't really look like scombs. I had a 7" scomb at one point that looked like this:

His fins were totally black, and he looked much "fatter".

As for it being a tat, I have a 7" tat who has longer fins and is much more slender.

The ones that I saw, looked kind of in the middle of both, they didn't look fat, but were not thin either. They also had that more cartoonish look I saw on my scomb, but they all swam level and had larger fins with a colored adipose and tail fin.

Here is a picture I got with my cell phone from the wholesaler's tank. But first beware, it sucks, I know but I was just got it since it was better than nothing.

 

[West1]

Hard to see. I heard there are Yellow Tail Tats. That could be a possibility

Don't sit like Scombs though

 

[Industrial]

Hard to see. I heard there are Yellow Tail Tats. That could be a possibility

Don't sit like Scombs though

I just thought about it, and yellowish red is orange .

But yes, orange tails. Do you know of any tell-tale characteristics of any at this size? I thought that scombs got kind of round at this size, like the picture of my old 7" scomb.

 

[West1]

Nope, Sorry. I'm guessing they are most like Red Tail Tats. Maybe someone can post a Scientific name of the Yellow varient to get you a "Search Start"

 

[Industrial]

I think the only other Hydrolycus species. is the H. wallacei. The only picture of this fish that I have seen is on http://www.angelfire.com/biz/piranha038/hydrolycus.html

Perhaps there is more unnamed species. Hopefully tomorrow I can buy mine and they don't all sell out on me.

 

[hennry]

They are almost certainly tats, the red tail gives it away. However, a better picture of the face would give greater accuracy. Nonetheless, tats are awesome! If i was to have a second opinion on the I.D i would have to say H. Armatus.. Only due to the shape,color and the agnle they are swimming of the left specimens(in the picture you provided).

Wallacei is very rare to aquaria(for now). I have really never heard of one in a tank(atleast one that has been confirmed truely Wallacei). But i am sure in the future they will be exploited to us aswell.

And yes, it is not a Scomb, that much you can tell by the angle they are swimming and tail, easily. =]

Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[Industrial]

Cool, any of the 3 and I would have been happy, however tats were my first choice and scombs were second. Perhaps these are a different locality than mine.

 

[DB junkie]

Pics look Tat. Armatus should have a white outline on the tail by that size.

Tat color differences are said to be local differences, same species.

 

[krichardson]

Looks like you are on your way to having a nice group.So how many are you going to get?

 

[Industrial]

I bought one for now since the others are too large and will eat my Glass Headstanders.

My boss brought in two from our wholesaler, and there is one left with the wholesaler.

At this point, I just plan on having two unless I change my mind and want more.

PS. Since seeing them clearly, they are 100% tat.