Novia Otorongo

[smokey70]

Well, I've had this fella for a couple months. It was sold as a Novia Otorongo on aquabid by snook. I was able to gather that its a wood cat from peru, they like hiding places, don't grow too large, and eat whatever fits in their mouths. Mine behaves just like a raphael thus far...

Does anyone have any experience with this species, or something similar?
Any info would be appreciated!

(and sorry for the poor picture, just working with a cell phone for photos!)

 

[MartinS]

This fish sold as 'Novia Otorongo' is usually found to be Trachelyopterus sp(2), but I don't think yours is. It doesn't look like any other Trachelyopterus either, so am a bit stumped.
I would think it has the same habits, mostly nocturnal, will feed on earthworms, river shrimp as wel as sinking pellet and tablet food.
Would like to see some full length shots including the tail, may help with ID.
Martin

 

[smokey70]

Thanks Martin. Trachelyopterus sp(2) looks similar in body shape but the color is off. Probably close enough though. These pics aren't great, (either has glare or looks like crud water) but it should give ya an idea. Again, cell phone camera and an uncooperative fishy.....

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

Thanks Martin. Trachelyopterus sp(2) looks similar in body shape but the color is off. Probably close enough though. These pics aren't great, (either has glare or looks like crud water) but it should give ya an idea. Again, cell phone camera and an uncooperative fishy.....

I've been watching that auction for a very long time since it first came available by John,

my puzzlement is its totally different than what he has pictured as Novias-

I was about to purchase six of them as needed to clear out some fish stock to make room for them. I've just not gotten around to it. Will be asking John myself if its half of the fish that looks like the stock photo he has or is it just a mix-in. Cuz this piqued my interest in what specimen this cool looking cat is.

Cheers!

 

[smokey70]

More pictures, hopefully a little better

 

[snookn21]

Guys I dont know. This pictures is what they looked like when the first came in



I didnt see the fish often because they always stayed hidden in the wood. I have to literaly break the wood open sometimes just to catch them out. All I know is that this came in as jaguar cats from peru. I found that they went by the name novia Otorongo, but Im not positive, they could be different species. They all looked different once they settled in, and thats why their picture is never update, because they never come out of the wood. Very interesting species for sure!

Thanks,
John

 

[smokey70]

I didnt see the fish often because they always stayed hidden in the wood. I have to literaly break the wood open sometimes just to catch them out.

No kidding! This guy DOES NOT COME OUT of any hiding areas. I've even checked in the middle of the night using a dimmed flashlight. There are no predators or threats to it in the tank. Its a nice fish, but I'm having some issues feeding it, and I think its getting skinny. I've tried about everything but blackworms, which are kind of a pain to get ahold of here.....

 

[MartinS]

I'm really not sure, the sp(2) has much less spotting that the fish in the picks from snookn21, and your fish is so very different in colouration. Definitely a few guys over on PC who will be able to ID these for you.
If you're not a member, can ask on your behalf, or if you are, start a post in the 'what's my catfish' section and you'll definitely get an ID.
Watching this with interest.
Martin

 

[smokey70]

I've started a similar thread at PC. I'll post some results on here if anything comes of it.

 

[smokey70]

The moderator at PC stated that "within the limits of intraspecific variation, I'd say that's what you have", regarding Trachelyopterus sp(2). Their info page for the species also states the fish may have an array of colors due to a large distribution range throughout SA.