New Shovelnose

[Crossback James]

Bought this little fella in Kuala Lumpur for RM9 ($2) and he's about 4 inches long. I thought this seemed very cheap, even by Malaysian standards. Could someone tell me exactly which species this is?

View attachment DSC_6869.jpg

 

[aquaman45]

Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (Tiger Shovelnose) Attains sizes in excess of 4 feet in its native South America. 36" not uncommon under captive conditions.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Yeah, most likely fasciatum because it is farmed. Chances are 99/100 or such. Once the adult pattern and the skull / snout shape develop, it will be easier to figure out the species. That is at / after ~2' mark.

 

[Crossback James]

Ok, thanks. I was told Tiger Shovelnose but wasn't convinced by Malaysian LFS! I'd also seen one of around 9 inches going for RM200+ just round the corner. Couldn't believe they were selling a juvenile at this price. Thanks again.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Sure but one thing confuses me:

... I was told Tiger Shovelnose but wasn't convinced by Malaysian LFS!

It is a common-looking TSN fingerling, not any other shovelnose or Pimelodid. TSN is a collective name for the genus of Pseudoplatystoma consisting of up to 8 known species.

I thought you were knew it was a TSN but wanted to know the species.

 

[raubiy]

yea.
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum is most common fish behind name TSN.