I picked up a Lima shovel nose earlier today. While doing my research I found someone here on MFK that said most Lima’s turn out to be elongatus. Here’s some pics, any ideas if I got a true Lima?
Lima or elongatus?
- Thread starter Joshuakahan
- Start date
That person was most likely
thebiggerthebetter
Also nice pickup, those are one of my favorite catfish.
thebiggerthebetter
Also nice pickup, those are one of my favorite catfish.
Thanks, I’ve wanted one for a while. So you think it is a Lima?That person was most likely
Also nice pickup, those are one of my favorite catfish.
I am absolutely in no position to give an answer as I know next to nothing about them nor have I ever kept them so whatever I say would be pure speculation.
Unfortunately this guy maxed out my tank, if I get another tank at some point, definitely will. I’ve had him for 5 hrs and he’s already becoming one my favorites
Here’s a couple more, he’s hiding in the back, so these are the best I can get right now, I can try again when he’s settled in more
I am glad you have done some homework.
If you read my write-up to the end, it states how to distinguish lima from elongatus, namely by the position of the mandibular barbels with respect to the apex gular, which is not easy at all. For that clear and very good pictures of the barbel insertion into the lower jaw would be required, which looks like impossible from your current pic taking and the info.
I'd say if it breaks 12" by far, it is likely a true lima.
BTW, that write-up is awaiting an editing as I have been finding firsthand new info which contradicts my prior tentative hypothesis. I got 18 LSN 4 years ago and about half of them are 16"-20" today and the other half is indeed 12".
So, at present, I must attribute the utter scarcity of large LSN seen on MFK and elsewhere to either people not sharing their large LSN (unlikely) or that the vast majority of keepers fail to keep their LSN long enough to raise them to the adult size. LSN can be skittish and it is understandable. Three of my LSN broke their snouts pretty badly (my fault). More here if interested as I have just filmed an update:
If you read my write-up to the end, it states how to distinguish lima from elongatus, namely by the position of the mandibular barbels with respect to the apex gular, which is not easy at all. For that clear and very good pictures of the barbel insertion into the lower jaw would be required, which looks like impossible from your current pic taking and the info.
I'd say if it breaks 12" by far, it is likely a true lima.
BTW, that write-up is awaiting an editing as I have been finding firsthand new info which contradicts my prior tentative hypothesis. I got 18 LSN 4 years ago and about half of them are 16"-20" today and the other half is indeed 12".
So, at present, I must attribute the utter scarcity of large LSN seen on MFK and elsewhere to either people not sharing their large LSN (unlikely) or that the vast majority of keepers fail to keep their LSN long enough to raise them to the adult size. LSN can be skittish and it is understandable. Three of my LSN broke their snouts pretty badly (my fault). More here if interested as I have just filmed an update: