Little Lima

[Experiment397]

Some pics of my little Lima Shovelnose, Luey, about 5" when I first got him a few weeks back but I swear it grows a 1/4" a week. Eating like a pig and super entertaining fish to watch when the lights go out. Spends most of the day vertical against the driftwood but goes out chasing feeders and munching any pellets or frozen food that's in the tank as soon as the lights go out. Been on my list for a while now and I'm super stoked to have one. Any tips?

 

[kno4te]

Nice shovelnose. Looks like it has a nice tank to live in as well. thebiggerthebetter for tips.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

This is a much-written-about fish. After reading its profiles on Planet Catfish (both Cat-eLog and Catfish of the month), ScotCat, SeriouslyFish, Aquatic Community, FishBase, etc., there should be few questions left.

Looks like you got lucky and obtained a well conditioned specimen, plus your tank is wonderful for this fish.

I'd not feed it (or any fish for that matter) live feeder fish.

The fish is likely Sorubim elongatus (with a 1' max size), not Sorubim lima (with 2' max). If you are interested, I can explain why I think so or maybe you have already come across my humble write-up on this ID matter on MFK or PCF.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Very nice looking Lima. I love the look of a Lima that has just eaten a whole bunch and looks like it has a marble stuck in its stomach. I would like to get some of these one day.

 

[Mr.kelberi]

This is a much-written-about fish. After reading its profiles on Planet Catfish (both Cat-eLog and Catfish of the month), ScotCat, SeriouslyFish, Aquatic Community, FishBase, etc., there should be few questions left.

Looks like you got lucky and obtained a well conditioned specimen, plus your tank is wonderful for this fish.

I'd not feed it (or any fish for that matter) live feeder fish.

The fish is likely Sorubim elongatus (with a 1' max size), not Sorubim lima (with 2' max). If you are interested, I can explain why I think so or maybe you have already come across my humble write-up on this ID matter on MFK or PCF.

What is the difference? The few write-ups I read it seemed like it is hard to tell the difference. I also have what I bought as a Lima but would like to know for sure.

 

[Experiment397]

i dont have an option on feeders in my tank. my flounder wont eat anything else and hes a little tricky to target feed. i breed my own so no worries of parasites or anything being introduced. so far he seems to be doing well and just enjoying himself

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

What is the difference? The few write-ups I read it seemed like it is hard to tell the difference. I also have what I bought as a Lima but would like to know for sure.

If you have seen a few write-ups, one of them must have been mine.

Knowing for sure doesn't appear an option. "Somewhat knowing" can be an option if you compare the position of the barbels with respect to the fish's gular, as described in my write-up with links or try reading the latest revision and see if the authors offer any clues, again, beyond what I had found and reported / linked in the write-up.

 

[Experiment397]

after looking through the posts im fairly certain that mine is elongatus. so is there any specific care or tips for keeping them versus a lima? other than the size difference are they really that different of a fish?

 

[moe214]

Not AFAIK.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

There is no difference AFAIK. All I've ever kept were elongatus and I believe the same is true for 99.99% of all "LSN" people get in the states.

So we know elongatus care well. We don't know how to keep lima or if there are any significant differences. On paper, I'd think not.