Lima or elongatus?

[Joshuakahan]

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:

Thanks for all the great info. I saw some of your YouTube videos while doing my research. Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be able to get that detailed of a picture. I guess I’ll just wait and see how big he gets.

 

[celebrist]

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:

First time I can remember adding a jaguar cichlid to calm down the tank, lol